Willy Kambwala warms up before kick-off at the London Stadium
(Manchester United via Getty Images)
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West Ham will leapfrog Manchester United in the Premier League table if they can beat Erik ten Hag’s struggling side, who have not won since the 6 December.
The Hammers have been in mixed form, with good wins over Tottenham and Wolves either side of a 5-0 thrashing by Fulham which had some fans calling for manager David Moyes to be sacked. But victory here would propel the Hammers to sixth in the league, for a few hours at least.
Moyes makes two changes with Alphonse Areola returning in goal and Konstantinos Mavropanos in at centre-back in place of Nayef Aguerd. Ten Hag meanwhile gives a debut to 19-year-old Willy Kambwala in central defence.
West Ham United: Areola, Coufal, Zouma, Mavropanos, Emerson Palmieri, Soucek, Alvarez, Kudus, Ward-Prowse, Lucas Paqueta, Bowen. Subs: Fabianski, Johnson, Cresswell, Fornals, Ings, Ogbonna, Benrahma, Kehrer, Mubama.
Manchester United: Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Kambwala, Evans, Shaw, McTominay, Mainoo, Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Antony, Hojlund. Subs: Bayindir, Amrabat, Rashford, Eriksen, Reguilon, Pellistri, van de Beek, Mejbri, Bennett.
Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire)
Follow the latest action from the Premier League below and get the latest betting tips here.
West Ham United vs Manchester United
Fernandes looks to pull the strings as he fizzes the ball into Hojlund. But the ball does not fall kindly for the forward, and Zouma shields it behind for a goal-kick.
West Ham United vs Manchester United
The Hammers are two goals away from scoring 100 against United in the top flight. A win today would take them onto 30 points after their opening 17 games for the first time since the 2014-15 season.
West Ham United vs Manchester United
West Ham go on the attack and the ball falls kindly for Bowen to strike on the edge of the penalty area. But he does not connect cleanly and drags his effort well wide of the target.
West Ham United vs Manchester United
United have failed to score in 11 Premier League games in 2023. That is their highest tally in a calendar year since drawing 12 blanks in 2015.
West Ham United vs Manchester United
Garnacho attacks West Ham down the left flank and his eventual cross is charged down by Alvarez, albeit at the expense of a corner.
West Ham United vs Manchester United
The visitors look to create something as Antony clips a lofted ball into the box. But it is straight onto the head of Mavropanos, who nods clear.
West Ham United vs Manchester United
Of course, London has not been a happy hunting ground for United in recent times. In fact, they have won just two of their last 12 Premier League games in the English capital, with both of those coming against Fulham.
West Ham United vs Manchester United
SAVE! West Ham threaten early on and the ball sits up nicely for Emerson to strike on the volley. The left-back’s effort is creeping towards the bottom-right corner, and Onana has to push it away to safety.
West Ham United vs Manchester United
In Kambwala, Mainoo and Garnacho, United are lining up with three teenagers in a Premier League game for only the fifth time. It is also the first time they have do so since May 2021.
West Ham United vs Manchester United
Referee Simon Hooper blows his whistle to get the action under way.
