Match preview: United v West Ham

The Hammers are enjoying another good season under David Moyes and currently occupy fourth spot.

However, United are just one of a number of chasing teams and, if we successfully complete a league double over the Londoners at the weekend, we will leapfrog West Ham in the table.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of another important game...

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE MATCH?

The game at Old Trafford kicks off at 15:00 GMT on Saturday, so it will not be broadcast live in the UK. MUTV's coverage will begin when Matchday Live goes on air at 13:55 GMT - the show will include pre-match build-up, live match radio commentary and post-match analysis. You can also can follow the game with live updates via ManUtd.com and our Official App.

TEAM NEWS

Luke Shaw and Edinson Cavani missed the 3-1 victory over Brentford on Wednesday with slight injury problems and it remains to be seen whether they will return in time, with it being a quick turnaround between games. Jadon Sancho was also absent due to a family bereavement, while Jesse Lingard was ruled out with an ankle injury. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is ill and isn't set to feature again until early February, after the upcoming international break. Paul Pogba will also be back around the same time after his three-month lay-off, while Eric Bailly is still away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Hammers are missing Said Benrahma for the same reason, with his Algeria and Bailly's Ivory Coast facing off on Thursday evening. Kurt Zouma and Tomas Soucek sat out the 3-2 defeat to Leeds United with COVID but Moyes will hope to have the pair back for the trip to M16. Mark Noble is out, as is long-term absentee Angelo Ogbonna.

FORM GUIDE

United are looking to secure consecutive league wins for the first time in a month, after three points in midweek at Brentford. Ralf Rangnick has only lost one of his nine games in charge across all competitions, but a run of victories would now be most welcome ahead of what's already looking a potentially pivotal February.

The Hammers were unlucky to miss out on a Champions League berth last season but, despite extra exertions this time around - they are successfully through to the last 16 in the Europa League - Moyes's side have largely picked up where they left off. Six wins from the opening 11 games, including inflicting Liverpool's first defeat of the season, had West Ham third by the November international break. A brief dip in form, permeated by an impressive win over then-leaders Chelsea, meant the Hammers dropped out of the top four towards the end of 2021, but successive victories over Watford, Crystal Palace and Norwich City have boosted their top-four credentials, although they were beaten at home by Leeds on Sunday.

THIS SEASON'S MEETINGS

The reverse fixture was a memorable one, with David De Gea saving an injury-time Mark Noble penalty to preserve United's 2-1 lead. That scoreline had only been reached minutes earlier, with substitute Jesse Lingard coming on as a substitute to haunt his former club after Cristiano Ronaldo had levelled Benrahma's opener.

The Hammers enacted some form of revenge the following midweek, knocking the Reds out of the Carabao Cup at Old Trafford thanks to an early Manuel Lanzini effort. The East End side went on to knock out holders Manchester City but were eliminated by Tottenham at the quarter-final stage.

KEY STATS

United have won 20 of 25 Premier League home games against West Ham (D3 L2) and are unbeaten in 13 against them in the league at Old Trafford since a 1-0 loss in May 2007.

West Ham are bidding to become only the fourth side ever to win twice away against the Red Devils in the same season, after Aston Villa (1919/20), Tottenham Hotspur (1989/90) and Chelsea (2004/05).

Former United boss Moyes has never won an away Premier League match at Old Trafford in 14 attempts (D4 L10), with only Harry Redknapp managing more games in M16 without winning in the Premier League era (15 games).

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Jonathan Moss
Assistants: Marc Perry, Timothy Wood
Fourth official: Michael Salisbury
VAR: Paul Tierney
Assistant VAR: Ian Hussin

RIVALS WATCH

United and West Ham's top-four rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are in action on Sunday. The Gunners host Burnley in one of three early kick-offs, before Antonio Conte takes Spurs to former club Chelsea in what is probably the weekend's stand-out clash.

FRIDAY 21 JANUARY

Watford v Norwich (20:00 GMT)

SATURDAY 22 JANUARY

Everton v Aston Villa (12:30 GMT)
Brentford v Wolves
Leeds v Newcastle
UNITED v West Ham
Southampton v Manchester City (17:30 GMT)

Kick-offs 15:00 GMT unless stated.

SUNDAY 23 JANUARY

Arsenal v Burnley (14:00 GMT)
Crystal Palace v Liverpool (14:00 GMT)
Leicester v Brighton (14:00 GMT)
Chelsea v Tottenham (16:30 GMT)