West Ham United v Manchester United
Premier League, London Stadium, Saturday 23 December 2023, 12.30pm GMT
West Ham United keep the festive fixture list rolling with a pre-Christmas clash with Manchester United.
The Red Devils make the trip to London Stadium for a Saturday lunchtime kick-off as manager David Moyes faces his former side.
The Hammers are eighth in the table on 27 points while this weekend’s visitors are just one place ahead of the Irons in seventh, and have 28 points after their clash with Liverpool ended in a 0-0 draw last weekend.
Tickets…
Tickets for this sold out game are still available on the Ticket Exchange, with Season Ticket Holders who cannot attend this fixture relisting their seats for other supporters to buy. Click here to check availability or relist.
Travel…
Supporters should note, across TfL, that there are some services changes and planned works across the public transport network over the festive period.
A good service is anticipated to run, as expected, on the TfL Central, Jubilee and Elizabeth Lines.
On Docklands Light Railway, the line will be closed between Canary Wharf and Poplar / Westferry. London Overground will also be partially closed between Surrey Quays and Clapham Junction, and replacement bus services will be in operation.
A usual service is expected on the C2C line, while Greater Anglia Railway is also anticipated to operate with its usual service.
On Southeastern Railway, engineering works are taking place which will halt services to and from London Victoria.
How To Follow…
West Ham United’s home Premier League match with Manchester United has been selected for broadcast in the United Kingdom by TNT Sports.
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 TalkSPORT and worldwide on our official website and app.
Official Programme…
The 116-page publication is the largest in English football and, at just £4 per issue, represents superb value for money for supporters wanting exclusive interviews, attention-grabbing opinions and eye-catching photographs, plus the regular news, columns and statistics and insightful content from across all areas of the Club
Saturday's Christmas issue comes complete with a free double-sided poster of the men's and women's squads for the 2023/24 season included!
The issue also features an in-depth interview and analysis of Alphonse Areola, features with James Ward-Prowse and Aaron Cresswell and interviews with former West Ham, Manchester United and England forward Teddy Sheringham.
With interviews with Academy youngster Mason Terry, the latest from our women's team, plus history, puzzles, statistics and the lowdown on our opponents from Old Trafford, the Official Programme is packed full of content for you!
Team News…
Michail Antonio remains out for West Ham United as he continues his recovery from an injury sustained on international duty in November.
For Manchester United, both Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro are predicted to be out until after Christmas with a foot injury and thigh problem, respectively.
Christian Eriksen is also working his way back from a knee injury while Harry Maguire and Tyrell Malacia are short-term absentees, having sustained knocks during the recent busy schedule.
Bruno Fernandes is once again available for the Red Devils, however, having missed out on Sunday’s draw with Liverpool due to a suspension.
Opposition…
Every week, whether good or bad, you can guarantee Manchester United will make headlines.
Manager Erik Ten Hag, who took over at Old Trafford in summer 2022, has learned what the expectation, pressure and spotlight at the Red Devils all amount to.
Things seemed to be moving in the right direction in the Dutchman’s maiden season in charge. A third-placed finish in the Premier League meant a return to Champions League football and, while Ten Hag’s side never really looked like pushing for the title, it was a marked improvement.
At the midway point of the 2023/24 campaign, though, Manchester United are seventh in the top flight. After 17 matches played, they have nine wins, zero draws and eight defeats. In this instance, the numbers really do tell the story.
The Red Devils have secured big wins over the likes of Chelsea and Everton in recent weeks, but have struggled to find consistency. A step or two forward is usually followed by a loss, as defeats away to Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, at home to Brighton & Hove Albion, Crystal Place, Manchester City and AFC Bournemouth have shown.
Speculation remains rife around Old Trafford, whether it be about potential transfer signings or departures, the manager’s future or even the long-term ownership of the club itself.
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 consistency and improve fortunes over the festive period and into 2024.
Previous Meetings…
The Hammers will play match number 127 against Manchester United on Saturday.
While the overall record between the two sides is certainly in the visitor’s favour, the Irons have enjoyed decent success at home against the Red Devils.
In the last ten matches across all competitions played at the Boleyn Ground and London Stadium, West Ham have won four matches. Manchester United have also won four matches, while two have ended in draws.
For the Irons, the most recent of those victories came last season when a Saïd Benrahma finish earned the hosts a 1-0 win back in May. Back-to-back wins were also secured in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 season, with a 3-1 and 2-0 victory respectively.
The very first match between the two teams, in February 1911, was also won by West Ham. Thomas Caldwell and Daniel Shea fired the Hammers to a 2-1 FA Cup third round win at the Boleyn Ground.
Match Officials…
Referee: Simon Hooper
Assistant Referees: Adrian Holmes and Simon Long
Fourth Official: Thomas Bramall
VAR: Paul Tierney
Assistant VAR: Derek Eaton
Simon Hooper will take charge of Saturday's Premier League home clash with Manchester United.
Born in Swindon, the 41-year-old began refereeing in The Football League in 2008 and took charge of his first Premier League match in August 2015; a 3-1 win for Crystal Palace at Norwich City.
Promoted to the Select Group of Referees in 2018, he refereed 29 Premier League matches last season and has been in charge of eleven games in the top flight so far this campaign.
Hooper was also named the referee for the Irons' Carabao Cup fourth round win over Arsenal. His most recent West Ham Premier League fixture was the final match of the 2022/23 Premier League season, where Moyes’ Hammers were beaten 2-1 by Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
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