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2023/24 English Premier League
Matchday 18
West Ham United v Manchester United
London Stadium
London, England
Saturday, 23 December 2023
Kick-off is at 14h30
Fresh from keeping only their sixth clean sheet of the season, Manchester United will face a stern test from West Ham at the London Stadium in the lunchtime kick-off on Saturday, December 23.
The Red Devils put on a dogged display against Liverpool on December 17 to come away from Anfield with a 0-0 draw, having seen the hosts attempt 24 shots at goal without scoring.
Erik ten Hag's side dropped down to seventh in the
Premier League standings after Newcastle beat Fulham 3-0 at St James' Park to climb above them up to sixth place.
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The Hammers closed with a point of United in eighth position courtesy of a 3-0 victory over Wolves in the capital as they bounced back from the disappointing 5-0 mauling at Fulham seven days earlier.
Tottenham went five points clear of the Red Devils in fifth spot thanks to a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on December 15 which cut the gap down to the top four to just one point.
Jarrod Bowen is enjoying a fine season at the London Stadium and hit double figures for the campaign with his clinical finish to wrap up a 3-0 win against Wolves. The winger hasn't gone more than one game without finding the back of the net in 2023-24 and sits third in the scoring charts with 10 goals, four behind Erling Haaland.
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Rafael Varane delivered his best performance in a United shirt against fierce rivals Liverpool as he helped keep the likes of Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz at bay. The French centre-back made his return to the starting line-up after missing the previous four games with an injury, but he looked assured alongside Jonny Evans in the heart of defence to earn a welcome clean sheet.
West Ham boss David Moyes wants them challenging higher up the table and feels they can still improve in defence, although he's pleased to see so many players chipping in with goals.
"We have to keep knocking at the door. I genuinely think that we can get better," Moyes said. "I think we can get better defensively.
"I think we're beginning to show that we've got an attacking outlet. We're slightly different at the moment and we're experiencing a bit of a changing of the guard in some places. But we're getting goals from all areas."
Ten Hag has urged his players to use the performance on Merseyside as a springboard after proving they can be hard to beat if they stay disciplined.
"I am very proud of this team. We should do this more often," the Dutchman said in the post-match press conference.
"For instance, Newcastle was also a tough game and we make one mistake and switch off and then it is a goal. But when you stay in the game, and you are disciplined in your game plan, finally it opens up and then you can take your chances.
"So if we bring this in every game, then first of all we are a hard team to beat and then from that point we can go on and win games - and also big games."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
West Ham - 1
Man United - 4
Draws - 0
Premier League Matchday 18 fixtures:
Thursday, December 21
22h00: Crystal Palace v Brighton & Hove Albion
Friday, December 22
22h00: Aston Villa v Sheffield United
Saturday, December 23
14h30: West Ham United v Manchester United
17h00: Fulham v Burnley
17h00: Luton Town v Newcastle United
17h00: Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth
17h00: Tottenham Hotspur v Everton
19h30: Liverpool v Arsenal
Sunday, December 24
15h00: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea
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