Last weekend against Liverpool, six Manchester United Academy graduates played a part while two others remained on the bench.

One of those who didn't feature is 19-year-old Willy Kambwala, who starts today at the London Stadium.

The centre-back is the 248th graduate of United's youth set-up and will hope to make an impact today, alongside fellow former youth players Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.

Image source, Getty Images

Clinton Morrison
Former Republic of Ireland striker on BBC's Football Daily podcast

Bruno Fernandes is the captain. They lead by example.

When it is not going well, he gets criticised because he throws his arms up and stuff.

You can have standards but go and deliver and show with your football ability your standards.

He hasn't delivered. He hasn't been the Bruno standard that we saw a couple of years ago. Don't throw your hands up because for me it paints a bad picture.

You can show it in a different way. You are the captain and you have to lead by example.

Nigel Reo-Coker
Former West Ham midfielder on the Football Daily podcast

The simple answer is yes [Bruno Fernandes is Manchester United's best signing since Sir Alex Ferguson left].

He has come in and performed and there is no-one else who you could say has been a better player.

Alan Shearer
Former England and Newcastle striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Willy Kambwala is up against one of the in-form forwards in the Premier League today [Jarrod Bowen].

It's great that he has got his debut but it's going to be a tough one for him.

Nigel Reo-Coker
Former West Ham midfielder on the Football Daily podcast

For me, the word I look at is discipline. Bruno Fernandes isn't disciplined enough to be in the midfield. You look at the great names that [played for Manchester United]. You're talking about Roy Keane, Paul Ince, Scholesy, they understand how to play that game there. They were old school box-to-box midfielders.

Now in this generation, they are more specific and if you have someone like Bruno Fernandes who has a lack of discipline, you need to make sure you have two pitbulls who can get about and recover the ball.

Image source, Reuters

Early start for the fans from Manchester to get to London in time for kick-off. Fans from both sides have turned up in Christmas jumpers, santa hats and one bloke has come dressed in a Christmas elf outfit.

We're minutes away from kick-off. Ready for this?

Simon Stone
BBC Sport chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

If West Ham were to beat Manchester United, they would move above their opponents and into sixth.

They have beaten Arsenal and Tottenham over the past two months with less than 30% possession.

When he assesses what West Ham are now to what they were when he arrived, nearly four years ago, David Moyes feels he has nothing to apologise for.

"You have to earn respect and I'm no different from everyone else," said the Hammers boss. "If people want to give it that's down to them but the facts are we've been doing pretty well.

"What would West Ham's expectations be? Would you expect us to win a European trophy? Would you expect us to be challenging for the Champions League? Not many nodding their head in here (news conference) so that's the facts.

"We've had an unbelievable run. We'll keep trying to win as many games as we can, we'll keep trying to challenge top teams and challenge in cup competitions when we get the opportunity to do so."

Read more: West Ham's fans divided over man who delivered Europa Conference League title.

Dale O'Donnell
Editor, Stretty News blog

Image source, Getty Images

All I want this Christmas is Manchester United playing with desire. I have watched too many games this season when that was lacking or, in many cases, a greater trait in the opponent.

These players should not need reminding that they represent the biggest football club in the Premier League, yet it beggars belief when a few fail to acknowledge fans that spend their hard-earned money on trips across the country and Europe.

Hopefully, Erik ten Hag's team think of us for a second as they tuck into their Christmas turkey. The many disappointing trips we have had following them near and afar.

They may as well give up if they cannot take inspiration from the pride that comes from the terraces, which explains why I have greater concerns about the players than I do with the managerial situation at Old Trafford.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

To fans of most other clubs, West Ham supporters' differing views of manager David Moyes are bizarre.

Even the Hammers themselves acknowledge that.

"We are aware of how it looks from the outside," Gonzo, from the Hammers Chat fan group told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"A lot of us are very grateful for three seasons in Europe, there is no doubt about that.

"The trouble is, in a very short space of time we have moved from a 34,000-capacity stadium to one where we regularly get 55,000, and which could increase to 66,000. David Moyes has spent roughly £450m and a lot of the frustration comes from the fact he still relies on 12 to 13 players.

"A lot of money has been wasted over that time and he really struggles to spend money on a striker. Sebastien Haller - £45m. Gianluca Scamacca - £35m."

Read more: West Ham's fans divided over man who delivered Europa Conference League title.

Keep them coming! We have enough responses to fill out two XI's at this point but below are some of the best we have had so far!

Some people have even gone to the trouble of suggesting who could manage this team, with Nuno E-Spirit of Santa and Thomas Frankincense both in the mix.

Tell you what though, that's a decent team!

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Reuters.

This is Manchester United’s last game before Christmas. They have lost 12 games in all competitions already this season, last losing more before Christmas in 1930-31 (16), a season in which they finished bottom of the top-flight.

James Jones
We Are West Ham podcast

Image source, Getty Images

It feels like our Christmas wish list never changes. It is always the same every year and 2023 is no different.

Despite our current three attacking players performing well in front of goal so far this season - Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta have 25 goals and eight assists between them - it would not hurt for us to finally secure a striker who not only scores goals but perfectly fits David Moyes' system.

Danny Ings is ineffective, Divin Mubama is inexperienced and Michail Antonio is injured and way past his best. It means we really need someone to come in to take the burden from the current three and add some much-needed strength in depth in attack.

It is even more crucial given we will be losing Kudus to Afcon in the new year, leaving us very short in attacking resources for what could be a long six-week period.

Image source, .

Manchester United parked the bus at Anfield, so will they do that here too? I don't think so.

I actually think West Ham will beat them, though. I often go for them to draw games, but I liked the way they went at Wolves.

In contrast, I wasn't impressed by Erik ten Hag's side at all. They may celebrate their draw with Liverpool but United fans should not be carried away with the way they got it - that just sums up how far they have fallen.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the rest of Christ Sutton's Premier League predictions here.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Jadon Sancho has simply failed to produce and Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag clearly feels there is an attitude problem there. He has proved to be an expensive and poor purchase. Anthony Martial has always been inconsistent, unless you count his habit of being disappointing as consistency.

I think the problem with Casemiro is his very expensive salary and now too many injuries for a player with a lot of miles on the clock. He was tailing off last season, although he did play a big part in United getting into the Champions League.

Raphael Varane showed his quality at Liverpool but he is expensive, much nearer to the end of his career than the beginning and is out with injury too often.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport chief football news reporter

Image source, Reuters

David Moyes prepares to take charge of West Ham against his old club Manchester United at the London Stadium with the polarised attitudes around his stint as manager hardening in the wake of the EFL Cup hammering at Liverpool.

The Scot divides opinion in a rather strange way in east London.

In June, Moyes was in charge for one of the most famous nights in West Ham's entire history when they beat Fiorentina to win the Europa Conference League in Prague, their first major trophy since the 1980 FA Cup.

Yet even in the aftermath of that success, some West Ham fans said it would be a fitting end to Moyes' time in charge.

There were more social media calls for him to go after Wednesday's 5-1 defeat at Anfield.

As one Moyes backer ironically put it, 'I look forward to him being replaced so we can enjoy all those famous wins at Liverpool again like we are used to'. West Ham have won once there in 60 years.

Read more: West Ham's fans divided over man who delivered Europa Conference League title.

Stephen: Eben-eze Scrooge

Anon: Son heung-Mince Pie

Anon: Morgan Gibbs White Christmas

Doug: Five Gold Mings

Dave: Giroudolph the red nose reindeer

T: Holly Watkins and Erling Garland would be a prickly strike force to deal with. Happy holidays everyone!!

Image source, Getty Images

Willy Kambwala makes his first senior appearance for Manchester United this afternoon.

The 19-year-old French defender signed from French Ligue 2 side Sochaux on transfer deadline day in October 2020 and has since played in United's youth set up, training with the senior squad for the past two seasons.

He captained the France under-16's side and has made 15 appearances for United's youth teams this term.

The 6ft 4in centre back was selected in the senior squad for the first time last week for United's visit to Anfield but didn't make an appearance from the bench, getting the nod to start today as United struggle with injuries and illness at the back.

What's the best Christmas present you have ever received? Willy Kambwala has just got one from Erik ten Hag he is never going to forget - a first Premier League start at the age of 19.

Andy: Alexis 'Kevin' Mac Allister

It wasn't going to be long before this one made an appearance!