Manchester United v West Ham United
Premier League, Old Trafford, Sunday 4 February 2024, 2pm GMT
West Ham United face a quick turnaround in Premier League action as a trip to Manchester United awaits the Hammers this weekend.
Having drawn with AFC Bournemouth on Thursday evening, David Moyes’ Irons make the visit to Old Trafford on Sunday 4 February, with kick-off against the Red Devils set for 2pm.
It is a little over a month since the two teams met in the reverse fixture at London Stadium, where Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus fired the Hammers to a 2-0 win over Erik Ten Hag’s team.
The Irons sit sixth in the Premier League after Thursday’s 1-1 against Bournemouth, while Manchester United are just one point behind in seventh after a late 4-3 win away at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Tickets…
Supporters should note that West Ham United's away allocation of 3,008 tickets has sold out.
The first 90 per cent of tickets sold out to Bondholders and Season Ticket Holders with 26+ Loyalty Points. The remaining ten per cent (300 tickets) were then made available by a ballot process to Season Ticket Holders who had yet to purchase for this fixture. This ballot closed on Wednesday 17 January.
Travel…
Travel between London and Manchester is usually a straightforward proposition, but planned industrial action across the weekend will severely hamper services.
Confirmed strike action means Avanti West Coast will not be running as usual on Saturday 3 February and, while there is no strike action on game day, an overtime ban will limit available services.
Supporters wishing to drive can anticipate roughly a four-hour journey between London and Manchester, with the quickest route following the M1 and the M6. Follow the M6 past the toll and up to junction 19, before joining the M56. Follow past Manchester Airport and join the M60 to Stretford. From there, follow directions to Old Trafford.
There are multiple options for parking relatively close to the stadium including Macmillan Car Park, which is opposite Old Trafford, Salford Quays Lowry Mall and the Old Trafford Cricket Ground. Most must be booked in advance, which prices varying from £4.50 to £10.
How To Follow…
West Ham United’s away Premier League match with Manchester United has been selected for broadcast in the United Kingdom by Sky Sports. Coverage from Old Trafford will be available on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.
If you live outside the UK, click HERE for details of Premier League listings in your territory.
You can follow the action via our live blog on whufc.com and our app, and across our social media channels. We will also have highlights and exclusive reaction for you after the final whistle on our website and social media.
Live audio commentary will be available in the UK on BBC Radio 5 Live and worldwide on our official website and app.
Team News…
Vladimír Coufal will be available for the Hammers after completing a one-match suspension. The full-backed missed the midweek draw with Bournemouth after two yellow cards against Sheffield United.
The Hammers welcomed Mohammed Kudus back to Club action after Ghana’s elimination from the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, and defender Nayef Aguerd may not be too far behind after Morocco exited the competition.
Michail Antonio and Lucas Paquetá remain unavailable for David Moyes’ side.
The Red Devils, meanwhile, will be without Anthony Martial. The forward is a long-term absentee after undergoing surgery on a groin complaint.
Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia and Mason Mount remain absent due to injury too, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Lisandro Martinez will be assessed.
Opposition…
By the time the Irons and Manchester United take to the pitch on Sunday 4 February, it will have only been 43 days since their previous meeting.
When Erik Ten Hag’s Red Devils visited London Stadium in the reverse fixture just before Christmas, the Manchester-based side lost 2-0 and questions were being asked about the future at Old Trafford, both in the short and long-term.
While there has been a little over a month since that clash in east London, Manchester United are somewhat of a different prospect this time around – off the pitch at least. Just one day after the loss to the Hammers, the Club announced Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos’ partial acquisition of Manchester United, with the British billionaire purchasing 25 per cent and taking over full sporting control.
It is a positive step for many Manchester United supporters, who are all desperately eager to return to the legendary level of successes achieved under Sir Alex Ferguson throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
Back on the pitch, and Ten Hag’s side have won once in the four Premier League matches since defeat at London Stadium. They have scored goals in each, but conceding in each too shows the inconsistencies in a clearly talented squad of players.
With no European football in the second half of the campaign, and a busy domestic schedule continuing to prove a challenge, Ten Hag will be eager to find improved fortunes in 2024.
Previous Meetings…
Old Trafford has seldom been a happy hunting ground for West Ham United.
While the Irons have won their last two Premier League home matches against the Red Devils, a last away win in the competition for the Hammers was back in May 2007. Fans will remember a famous final match of the 2006/07 season when a Carlos Tevez goal secured Premier League safety for Alan Curbishley’s side.
West Ham’s only victory at Old Trafford since then was in the Carabao Cup in the 2021/22 campaign, as Manuel Lanzini’s ninth-minute finish earned the Irons a third-round win on the road.
The last three Premier League matches played in Manchester between the two teams have been won 1-0 by the hosts, although the Irons did claim a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in July 2020. Another 1-1 draw was earned in November 2016, as well as a goalless stalemate in December 2015.
Match Officials…
Referee: Andy Madley
Assistant Referees: Richard West & Nick Hopton
Fourth Official: Rob Jones
VAR: Chris Kavanagh
Assistant VAR: Stuart Burt
Andy Madley will be the referee for West Ham United's away match against Manchester United on Sunday.
Madley will take charge of the Hammers in the Premier League for the second time this season, having been the main official when Manchester United's neighbours, Manchester City, visited London Stadium in September.
A 40-year-old referee from Huddersfield, Madley has been on the Select Group 1 Referees list since 2019 and notably officiated the EFL League One Play-Off final between Preston North End and Swindon Town in 2015 as well as the 2019 League One Play-Off final between Charlton Athletic and Sunderland.
Having made his Premier League debut as a referee in the 2017/18 campaign, Madley has served mainly as a Premier League official since 2019/20.
Click through here for more information on this weekend’s match officials.
