Manchester United v West Ham: Premier League – live

Key events

Time for the talking to stop. We’re under way.

Right, we’re almost ready to rock and roll at Old Trafford. Where’s yer money? Will Manchester United produce a proper performance, or will they provide the usual thrills and spills? And can West Ham upset the applecart once more?

"He can make impact today from the bench hopefully"

David Moyes shares his thoughts ahead of the game at Old Trafford 💭⚒️ pic.twitter.com/EhbtnAuKkp

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 4, 2024

What of West Ham, then? Remarkably, they’ve lost just once in the Premier League since 4 November (although that was a 5-0 defeat to Fulham) yet they’ve failed to win their past five games in all competitions since back-to-back 2-0 victories over Man United and Arsenal. Hence there is a degree of pressure on David Moyes, which there always seems to be. The Hammers are looking to do the double over United for the first time in 17 seasons.

Can United finish fourth or fifth this season and qualify for the Champions League? These two think so.

"I still believe they can get fifth"

Gary Neville and Roy Keane believe Manchester United can have a positive end to the season 💪 pic.twitter.com/LPhu4kOgfH

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 4, 2024

Manchester United pay tribute to the victims of the Munich air disaster this afternoon, with the 66th anniversary of the crash coming up on Tuesday. Fans gathered around the memorial plaque before kick-off, while 48 relatives of players who died in the accident have been invited by the club to attend today’s game.

Fans pay their respects next to the Munich air disaster memorial at Old Trafford
Fans pay their respects next to the Munich air disaster memorial at Old Trafford. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Ten Hag has confirmed the decision to swap Varane for Maguire in the United defence today is tactical.

He told MUTV: “First of all, H (Maguire) was doing very well but picked up an injury, Raphaël is also doing very well, but a third game in. We didn’t want to change too much, it’s up to Harry to show his contribution, but we’re confident that he will.”

The Old Trafford corner flag and pitch
The Old Trafford pitch before kick-off. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

It’s just the one change for Manchester United from their dramatic 4-3 victory at Wolves, with Harry Maguire slotting into the defence in place of Raphaël Varane. You’d say the England man was suited to this type of game, with West Ham strong from set-pieces. United are able to welcome back Sofyan Amrabat from AFCON duty – although Kobbie Mainoo’s form means the Moroccan is on the bench.

Coufal’s return means it’s a change of shape for West Ham, who are playing five at the back, with Phillips dropping out of the midfield to the bench. Aguerd comes in for Mavrapanos.

Both clubs, however, need to take a long look at themselves and stop publishing their teams on social media in squad number order. It’s hideous.

United's starting XI: confirmed ✅

🔄 One change for the Reds as @HarryMaguire93 replaces @RaphaelVarane.#MUFC || #MUNWHU

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 4, 2024

Your team to take on Manchester United ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/dqEEyuOiBW

— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 4, 2024

Manchester United: Onana, Dalot, Maguire, Martínez, Shaw, Mainoo, Casemiro, Fernandes, Garnacho, Rashford, Højlund

Subs: Bayindir, Varane, Lindelöf, Amrabat, McTominay, Eriksen, Amad, Antony, Forson

West Ham: Areola, Johnson, Coufal, Aguerd, Zouma, Emerson, Ward-Prowse, Álvarez, Soucek, Kudus, Bowen

Subs: Fabianski, Cresswell, Ogbonna, Mavrapanos, Phillips, Scarles, Cornet, Ings Mubama

Hey Sunday gang. Welcome to another barnstorming day in the Premier League. Well, we hope it will be anyway, after yesterday’s absolute goal glut: 26 goals scored in just five games represented a veritable feast and it’s now the turn of Manchester United and West Ham to try and provide a similar offering.

Erik ten Hag’s team are on the brink of the unthinkable; three points would mean they’d go five games unbeaten for the first time this season and string together three back-to-back wins for just the second time, last doing so in October with unconvincing triumphs over Brentford (Scott McTominay’s added time brace), Sheffield United (Diogo Dalot thunderbolt to beat a poor team 2-1) and Copenhagen (last gasp penalty save in a 1-0).

How West Ham would love to slam the brakes on United’s momentum, as they did just before Christmas with a hard-fought 2-0 victory at the London Stadium. Nayef Aguerd could return for them after AFCON duty, Vladimir Coufal is back from suspension while on-loan Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips could feature again.

Kick-off is at 2pm GMT. And it’s LIVE, etc etc.