Pre-match prayers, rituals, back pats, hand slaps, huddles, sprints all done.

Home side get us under way at Old Trafford.

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Slaven Bilic's side have suffered a drop in form recently, winless in their last four games. Their run of nine games without a clean sheet is the most in the division at the moment, so Manchester United may find some joy in finding the back of the net today.

They come up against a Red Devils side who are yet to lose at home this campaign, conceding just one goal in that period. 

On top of that, Louis van Gaal's side have kept clean sheets in five successive league and cup games.

An ask of the biggest proportions for West Ham!

Garth Crooks
Former Spurs striker on Final Score

"I've never written Manchester United off. The only criticism I have is that they are incredibly dull to watch. 

"It's quite tragic when you have such exciting players playing with such a lack of adventure.

"And if they were to win the title, it would really be a hollow victory. Because there's nothing for their fans to shout about."

This is the One blaring out across the speakers inside Old Trafford. They should make that the after-goal song. Not expecting more than the solitary strike into the back of the net today, are we?

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West Ham are missing some key men this afternoon and will have to do it the hard way to get anything out of the game at Old Trafford.

The hugely impressive Dimitri Payet, who was the protagonist for their excellent start to the season, is missing until February while striker Diafra Sakho has been ruled out for three months.

That leaves the burden on big man Andy Carroll up front, who himself has had his own fair share of injury setbacks.

Heading into the busy festive period, West Ham - who have not won in their last four - will be hoping the Englishman can stay off the treatment table and give the fans something to sing about.

Some Manchester United fans have been, somewhat harshly, celebrating Wayne Rooney's absence with an ankle injury today.

However, former Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Townsend reckons Rooney can still be effective for the Red Devils.

"I don’t subscribe to the theory that his legs have gone," he told 5 live Sport on Friday. "The biggest thing, I think, is that the team is too slow. Manchester United don’t have enough pace in that team. 

"They are playing in third gear and that is one of the biggest reasons that hampers Wayne Rooney. He needs to be playing in a team with blistering pace, using his experience in the right areas and at the big moment."

How times have changed...

Image source, PA

The main talking point before the game at Old Trafford is that of skipper Wayne Rooney missing from the Manchester United side.

The striker has been almost undroppable, despite his poor form and scoring just two league goals so far.

But an ankle injury sees birthday boy Anthony Martial start up front for Louis van Gaal's men.

Will this prompt a change in the style of play, or will the keep ball, safety first way continue?

Manchester City have just been beaten 2-0 (should have been more) by Stoke so rivals Manchester United will go second with victory against West Ham. They could even go top if surprise package Leicester fail to win at Swansea.

Manchester United might be looking good for a top-four finish in the Premier League - but it is a different story in the BBC Sport Predictor league. Red Devils fans are 12th in our table, five places adrift of Hammers supporters. You can change all that now by predicting the outcome of this match and the rest of the weekend’s fixtures here.

No Wayne Rooney for Manchester United so Anthony Martial gets a start up front with Marouane Fellaini coming in to replace the skipper.

Marcos Rojo's dislocated shoulder means Matteo Darmian starts at left-back and Paddy McNair on the right.

West Ham are without striker Diafra Sakho so Andy Carroll deputises, while Alex Song makes his first start of the season.  

Image source, Getty Images

Just one goal conceded at home all season, Manchester United's rather conservative style of play has received plenty of criticism from fans this season.

On the other hand, West Ham's travelling supporters have seen some away results beyond their wildest dreams, collecting three point each at Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.

Can the Hammers cause another shock?

Image source, Rex Features

Welcome to our live page for Manchester United v West Ham United. We’ll have text commentary here from 14:30 GMT, plus you can follow radio commentary of this game via the live coverage tab. You can keep up to date with all the build-up to today’s games here.