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Southampton: Forster, Soares, Bertrand, Yoshida, Stephens, Davis, Tadic, Romeu, Lemina, Gabbiadini, Redmond.Subs: McCarthy, Long, Austin, Ward-Prowse, Boufal, Bednarek, McQueen.
West Ham: Hart, Ogbnna, Creswell, Fonte, Zabaleta, Rice, Arnautovic, Noble, Antonio, Ayew, Chicharito. Subs: Adrián, Obiang, Sakho, Ogbonna, Byram, Masuaku, Fernandes.(Reid stretchered off during warm up!)

As many sceptical West Ham fans had feared, the 'marquee' signing of William Carvalho from Sporting Lisbon for a club record fee has hit the buffers. Sporting are holding out for their original full price, in addition they are demanding payment in full as opposed to the instalment plan West Ham were offering.

Manchester United : De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Bailly, Blind, Matic, Pogba, Mata, Mkhitaryan, Rashford, Lukaku. Subs: Martial, Smalling, Lingard, Romero, Ander Herrera, Fellaini, Darmian.
West Ham United : Hart, Zabaleta, Reid, Ogbonna, Masuaku, Noble, Obiang, Fernandes, Ayew, Arnautovic, Hernandez. Subs: Cresswell, Fonte, Adrian, Sakho, Collins, Byram, Rice.

Martin Tyler and all the other Manchester United disciples will be salivating at the chance to eulogise about Saint Moan-in-you and his 'economically' assembled squad as they take on their favourite serial losers and perennial punch bags West Ham United at Old Trafford 'live on Sky'. Romelu Lukaku will be expecting to score at least one goal, as he has scored in seven of his last eight games against West Ham and Manchester United have won 17 of their 21 Premier League home matches against West Ham, only drawing 2 and losing 2!

Encouraging news is emerging from various Portugese media outlets with regards to what would be an upping of the stakes Hammers move for William Carvalho. Reports suggest that the player's representative, Pere Guardiola, Pep's brother, has already agreed terms for the 25 year old combative midfielder for a five year deal.

Those West Ham fans hoping Scottish International Robert Snodgrass was about to be shipped out to Aston Villa will be severely disappointed that Villa chairman Dr Tony Xia has distanced the club from any move for the 29 year old Hammers signed from Hull for an astonishing £10.2 Million during the January transfer window as a 'replacement' for Dimitri Payet!

West Ham United have signed 18 year old Montenegro International Sead Haksabanovic on a five year contract for a fee of around £3.5 Million from Swedish club Halmstads BK, is he one of the "ones for the future" Co-Owner David Sullivan hinted at when recently discussing the club's recruitment policy, or is the plan to try and unleash him on teams that have never seen him?.

Observers clearly lacking in knowledge about what pre-season football is supposed to be for, ie bringing a team to full fitness and full preparation ahead of the new season, as opposed to the friendlies being a cash cow, have been quick to condemn West Ham United's performance against a Man City team that had recently trounced Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur.

As West Ham United prepare to take on Manchester City in Iceland the full squad of Goalkeepers: Hart, Adrian. Defenders: Zabaleta, Byram, Masuaku, Fonte, Collins, Ogbonna, Rice. Midfielders: Obiang, Makasi, Noble, Fernandes, Snodgrass, Arnautovic, Holland, Ayew.Strikers: Chicharito, Martinez, appears to have some glaring absentees, not least of which being Hammers own jewel in the crown Manuel Lanzini!

One thing most observers would say is that the once famed but recently under performing West Ham United Academy has finally come through with a new bunch of youngsters who are genuinely contenders for a first team place. To some sending Reece Burke and Josh Cullen out on loan to Bolton Wanderers might seem a negative step with regards to the player's development, but they are going to work with a manager they already know, and more importantly are guaranteed playing time.