The Lowdown: West Ham United V Manchester United

West Ham United will start 2017 with one of the season's biggest matches, as Manchester United visit London Stadium for the first time. 

After a resurgence in recent weeks, the Hammers were dealt a narrow blow on New Years Eve, as Islam Slimani's header secured a 1-0 win for Premier League champions Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. Before that, an inspired Boxing Day performance at the Liberty Stadium saw Slaven Bilic's men hand a 4-1 thrashing to Swansea City to seal their third successive win.

Manchester United are in a rich vein of form themselves, having registered five successive wins in the Premier League going into the fixture. Mourinho's megastars have also scored at least twice in each of their last four outings, but will find Darren Randolph - in good touch himself - a worthy opponent.

Making your way to London Stadium for the match? The Lowdown will give you everything you’ll need to know to make the most of your trip...

 

Hours of play:

Kickoff between West Ham United and Manchester United is scheduled for 17:15, with London Stadium opening the turnstiles for supporters 90 minutes ahead of the match, at 15:45.

Supporters can take advantage of early access drinks discounts inside London Stadium, available for those entering the ground before 16:15.

Hospitality guests for the fixture can enjoy entry to London Stadium 30 minutes earlier, from 15:15.

 

Pre-Match Press:

Speaking after the Leicester City fixture, Hammers goalkeeper Darren Randolph insisted that the team had turned a corner going into 2017.

“If we’d won, I’d have said we’d 100 per cent have turned the corner, because it would have put a little bit of extra space between Leicester and us and the other teams below us,” he said.

“It would have been four wins in a row, but it wasn’t to be so we’ll regroup and get ready for the next one.

“It was a tough start to the season but the last few results obviously helped us a bit, so we go into the New Year and will start fresh and push on again.”

Jose Mourinho will be without central defender Eric Bailly, who has departed to join the Ivory Coast in the African Cup of Nations ahead of the match. Mourinho revealed his frustation over the departure, as well as offering a little more team news ahead of the London Stadium contest.

“I lose Bailly for a month and I am going to have (Chris) Smalling, Rojo and Jones for eight matches. I will have three centre-backs for eight matches," he said.

“Bailly is leaving us as he goes to the national team on January 2. He has to be with the national team on January 2.

“We asked them for him to go on the third but they refused. So he can't play against West Ham.

“I wish the Ivory Coast to be champions because with these kind of decisions they are controlling every second so for sure they are going to win the African Cup!

"Rooney has a little chance and Michael (Carrick) has a bigger chance than Rooney. Let's see how they are."

 

Travelling to London Stadium:

London Stadium is located within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and benefits from the capital’s finest transport links.

We’re proud to call Stratford our home with unsurpassed transport links from Stratford, Stratford International, Pudding Mill Lane and Hackney Wick stations. 

Expect to be welcomed on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park by our friendly stewarding & volunteering teams, who will aid you in making your way to London Stadium.

Due to gas main repairs on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the walking route to London Stadium from Stratford Station via the bridge between the South Lawn and Pool Street will not be available for this fixture against Hull City.

Spectators are advised to follow the alternative routes highlighted in green on the map below, which will also be in place on exit from London Stadium after the game. There will be diversion signage on route and extra stewards in the area to direct the flow of supporters.

Please follow directions on the attached map to better plan your route to the stadium on foot

Please follow directions on the attached map to better plan your route to the stadium by car

Please note that this will add approximately ten minutes to your journey, so please plan your route accordingly to ensure you avoid further delays.

The West Ham United Shuttle Bus Service will be in operation for disabled guests as normal.

For more information relevant to your mode of travel, follow this link for specific instructions relating to train & tube, bus, bike, car & motorcycle, taxi & plane

Away fans travelling by supporters' coaches, to reach London Stadium after being dropped in the coach parking, turn right just before Pudding Mill Lane DLR station, before turning left under the railway bridge and walking north, under the greenway toward the away seating at the Stadium.

Members of our stewarding team will be on-hand to direct you toward the Stadium.

 

Ticket Collections

Home fans can collect tickets from the West Ham United ticket office, located on stadium island, while away tickets can be collected from the Northern Ticket Office.

 

Leaving London Stadium

Fans visiting London Stadium should be made aware of major gasworks taking place on Pool Street at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, closing Bridge Five south of the London Aquatics Centre & ArcelorMittal Orbit on the approach to the stadium.

Revised walking routes for spectators will be signposted, with the following recommended paths in place for the conclusion of the match:

On exiting London Stadium, fans are recommended to make their way left past the ArcelorMittal Orbit before joining Stratford Walk, or making their away across South Park Lawn to the loop road south of Stadium Island. These routes will cater for fans travelling from both Stratford and Stratford International stations.

Please follow directions on the attached map to better plan your route from the stadium on foot

Please follow directions on the attached map to better plan your route from the stadium by car

Please note that this will add approximately ten minutes to your journey, and please plan your route accordingly to ensure you avoid further delays.

Our stewarding team will be on hand to direct fans to the quickest possible exit route.

Find out more about exiting London Stadium here…

 

Supporter Services

Baby Changing Facilities

Baby changing facilities are available on each level of London Stadium. On an event day, simply ask one of our friendly stewarding team for the closest baby change location to your seat.

 

Lost & Found

Please report all lost or found property to the nearest member of staff at London Stadium. If you are no longer at the venue, please email our customer services team at customerservice@londonstadium.com.

Any found items will be kept for two weeks, before being discarded.

London Stadium is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

 

 

Accessible Information

For information regarding accessible travel to London Stadium, find out more here.

Accessible seating is available on each level at London Stadium, including: aisle seats, seats with few or no steps nearby, seating which have nothing directly in front of them, and those closest to toilet facilities.

Numerous rest areas and benches are located across Stadium Island and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. 

Members of staff from West Ham United’s accessibility teams will be on hand and proactive at London Stadium, as well as providing support on key routes in and out of the venue.

Kindly note that if you have your own wheelchair, it will be left in designated areas at the owner’s risk.

Five windows at the West Ham United ticket office are at accessible height for wheelchair users, and use induction loops to support visitors using hearing aids.

Assistance dogs are welcome into London Stadium, and can stay in wheelchair bays. Kindly note that any assistance dogs must remain with their owner at all times.