MANCHESTER UNITED return to Premier League action with a tough encounter against West Ham – and Cristiano Ronaldo is in the starting XI.
The Red Devils go into this match having brushed aside Sherrif Tiraspol in the Europa League.
But the Hammers will prove to be trickier customers as they eye a top ten spot.
- Start time: 4:15pm GMT
- Live stream: NOW TV
- TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League
- Man Utd XI: De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Elanga, Fernandes, Rashford; Ronaldo
- West Ham XI: Fabianski; Kehrer, Dawson, Zouma, Creswell; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Downes, Benrahma; Scamacca
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Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
Warm-ups underway
Both sets of players are being put through their paces by their respective coaches.
Kick off is just under ten minutes away!
Odds
The bookies have the home team as favourites for this one.
- Man United – 7/10
- West Ham – 4/1
- Draw – 29/10
Odds as provided by betfair.
Rashford approaching landmark
Marcus Rashford has scored 99 goals in all competitions for Man United.
He will be keen to reach his century this afternoon but will be forced to operate from wide on the left thanks to Ronaldo’s return up top.
Flynn Downes
Downes has been receiving rave reviews since he forced his way into the West Ham team a couple of weeks back.
It will be interesting to see how the 23-year-old plays today.
Louis Saha
Sky are giving this game the big build up due to the fact that the Arsenal game hasn’t been televised.
Louis Saha has been bringing the touchline style.
Fortress Old Trafford
Erik Ten Hag’s team are unbeaten since their defeat at the hands of Brighton back in August.
In that time they have registered impressive, confidence building wins against the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs.
Could be a tough task for West Ham this afternoon.
All eyes on Scamacca
Hammers fans have taken to their new Italian forward very quickly and they will be hoping that Scamacca can reward their faith with a goal here today.
Scamacca currently has two Premier League goals from his 11 appearances, but West Ham fans will let you know that his record in front of goal doesn’t tell the full story of his impact on the team.
Manchester United absentees
Word is that Victor Lindelof is missing today with illness while Antony has been left out after he suffered a small injury.
The players that Manchester United are missing means that, Jadon Sancho aside, Erik Ten Hag is lacking for attacking options to turn to off the bench.
Ronaldo back in the XI
The big team news is Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to the starting eleven after he was left out of the squad for the Chelsea game as punishment for refusing to come on in the win against Spurs.
Ronaldo will be hoping that he can replicate his performance in the Europa League on Thursday evening when he started and scored in United’s 3-0 win.
West Ham substitutes
Michael Antonio will surely be Moyes’ go-to impact substitute if his side needs a goal later on.
West Ham subs: Areola, Coufal, Johnson, Emerson, Ogbonna, Coventry, Fornals, Lanzini, Antonio.
West Ham team news
Here’s the team that David Moyes has selected for the return to his old team.
West Ham XI: Fabianski, Kehrer, Dawson, Zouma, Creswell, Soucek, Rice, Bowen, Downes, Benrahma, Scamacca.
Manchester United substitutes
Antony isn’t in the squad for Manchester United.
Man United Subs: Dubravka, Bishop, Malacia, Pellistri, McTominay, van de Beek, Garnacho, Fred, Sancho.
Manchester United team news
Cristiano Ronaldo starts for Erik Ten Hag’s side.
Man United XI: De Gea, Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes, Elanga, Ronaldo, Rashford.
Last match between the teams
Manchester United won this fixture 1-0 last season thanks to a 93rd minute goal from Marcus Rashford.
Could we see history repeat itself today?
West Ham injury news
Lucas Paqueta is a doubt for the Hammers after picking up a shoulder injury against Southampton two weeks ago.
Nayef Aguerd, West Ham’s £30 million summer signing, played his first competitive minutes since his arrival against Silkeborg in midweek so could be in line to make his first Premier League appearance for the club.
However, David Moyes has previously indicated that he wouldn’t risk playing the Moroccan defender in the Premier League until after the World Cup.
We’ll have the official team news in about ten minutes time.
Manchester United injury news
Manchester United will be without Raphael Varane until after the World Cup, but today could see Harry Maguire return to the team for the first time since September as he attempts to find some form before the tournament in Qatar.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Anthony Martial are both nearing a return to full fitness and face late tests from the United medical team to evaluate their suitability for a place in the squad this afternoon.
Here’s Mr. Maguire with his wash bag – he’s had it initialled so it can be returned to him in case he loses it. Very smart.
Hello from Old Trafford
Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of the game between West Ham and Manchester United in what is the final match in this round of Premier League fixtures.
Both sides are coming into this one off the back of midweek victories in Europe.
David Moyes’ side overcame Danish side Silkeborg by a single goal while Manchester United swatted Sheriff Tiraspol aside in a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford.
The Hammers currently sit 13th in the Premier League after two controversial goals helped them to beat Bournemouth at the London Stadium on Monday evening.
United, meanwhile, are unbeaten since their 6-3 defeat at the hands of their rivals, Manchester City.
Erik Ten Hag’s side earned a point last weekend against Chelsea thanks to Casemiro’s injury time equaliser at Stamford Bridge.
A win for West Ham this afternoon could see them rise as high as 9th, while a victory for the Red Devils could leave them 5th.
It will be interesting to see whether Cristiano Ronaldo has eaten enough humble pie to allow him to return to the matchday squad after missing the club’s last premier league fixture against Chelsea for refusing to come on in the win against Spurs the previous week.
Should be a good one, this!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk