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When the team sheets became available ahead of the Irons game against Manchester United, the inclusion of Mark Noble in the starting line up came as a shock to most West Ham fans. Now hindsight is a wonderful, but eventually an ineffective influence on the final outcome of the 1-0 defeat against Man U, but on reflection David Moyes would admit, at least privately, that  starting with 'Nobes' was  probably the wrong decision, perhaps Noble's new contract took one of the most experienced Barclays Premier League managers' eyes off the ball temporarily.

Manchester: Henderson, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire (c), Shaw, McTominay, Fred, Greenwood, Fernandes, James, Rashford Subs: Grant (GK), Bishop (GK), Bailly, Alex Telles, Williams, Tuanzebe, Matic, Diallo, Shoretire
West Ham: Fabianski, Coufal, Diop, Dawson, Cresswell, Johnson, Rice, Soucek, Noble (c), Bowen, Antonio Subs: Martin (GK), Trott (GK), Balbuena, Alvez, Coventry, Lanzini, Benrahma, Odubeko

Many Hammers fans have been questioning the 'wisdom' of allowing home grown talent Oladapo Afolayan's potential move to Bolton Wanderers on loan with an option to acquire the player on a free transfer at the beginning of next season. David Moyes alluded to the issue in his most recent comments regarding Hammers strikers, or the lack of them to be more precise. His own frustration with Odubeko’s situation, which is complicated by Covid bubble arrangements, is obvious.