West Ham host Manchester United this evening (5.15pm kick-off) as both sides look to begin 2017 with victory in the Premier League.

Slaven Bilic’s Hammers saw their three-game winning streak come to an end at champions Leicester on New Year’s Eve, with Islam Slimani scoring the only goal to secure Claudio Ranieri’s side a 1-0 win at the King Power Stadium.

That was West Ham’s first defeat since they were trounced 5-1 by Arsenal back on December 3, but they’ll return to the London Stadium hoping to clinch a third successive home league victory, having beaten Burnley and Hull prior to Christmas.

However, they will come up against one of the form teams in the Premier League, as Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United have won their last five league matches, and are on the cusps of the top four once again.

The Red Devils left it late to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at Old Trafford on New Year’s Eve, with goals from Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba securing the victory, and they’ll hope to keep the pressure on the sides above them by picking up another three points this evening.

In what is likely to be an exciting encounter at the London Stadium, here are the THREE key battles which could go some way to determining the outcome this evening…

Andy Carroll vs Marcos Rojo

Manchester United have been better defensively in the last few weeks, but they’ll come up against an ever-improving Andy Carroll at the London Stadium this afternoon.

And, based on his most recent displays, the 27-year-old is going to cause the likes of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo no end of problems later on today.

Carroll has netted twice in his last six games for West Ham, the latest of which in their 4-1 triumph over Swansea on Boxing Day, but it’s also his all round performance, and indeed what he offers the Hammers in the final third, which could some way to determining the outcome this evening.

Rojo has surprised many with his defensive displays this season at the heart of the United defence, but he’ll come up against a different challenge this afternoon, with Carroll as good as anyone in the division in the air.

How well Rojo defends against Carroll, and contrastingly how well Carroll is able to dominate his man in the air, could be a key factor in deciding the outcome of tonight’s game.

Cheikhou Kouyate vs Michael Carrick

It’s no secret that, even at the age of 35, Michael Carrick is as key to Manchester United now as he was when he first joined the club 11 years ago.

The former England international brings control and composure to the midfield and, alongside the ever-improving Ander Herrera, the two of them have formed a solid foundation for which United have won five successive league games.

Thus, it’ll be up to West Ham’s Cheikhou Kouyate to disrupt their rhythm and make things difficult for both Herrera and Carrick to dominate possession and control the game.

Kouyate made a slow start to the season, as did most of the West Ham squad, but the 27-year-old has certainly improved as the season has progressed, and is now a key part of the Hammers midfield.

His battle with Carrick, and how well he reduces the 35-year-old’s influence on proceedings, will be crucial if West Ham are to beat Mourinho’s side this evening.

Winston Reid vs Zlatan Ibrahimovic

With a battle taking place between striker and centre-back at one end, there is likely to be the same at the other end, especially if Zlatan Ibrahimovic takes to the field.

The Swedish star has netted 12 times in 18 Premier League games this season, including eight in his last eight league matches.

And, although he didn’t net against Middlesbrough on New Year’s Eve, Ibrahimovic provided the assist for Anthony Martial’s 86th minute winner against Aitor Karanka’s men, and also had a goal harshly disallowed in the first half.

Should the 35-year-old start this afternoon, the experienced Winston Reid will have his hands full in trying to thwart the in-form forward.

The New Zealand international has been part of an improving Hammers defence in recent weeks, having conceded just twice in their last four games, and he’ll hope to help the side record a third successive clean sheet at the London Stadium.

Ibrahimovic aerial dominance and link-up play with those around him will once again be crucial for United, so it’s up to Reid to minimise his impact as West Ham search for a third consecutive home league victory.