03 February 2024 , 22:30
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James Ward-Prowse has warned Manchester United that West Ham will go for the jugular at Old Trafford.
And with Manchester City treble-winning loanee Kalvin Phillips now on board - winning is the only option as the Hammers look to execute a memorable double over Erik ten Hag's herky-jerky side following the 2-0 home victory on December 23.
Ward-Prowse said after scoring in the 1-1 midweek draw with Bournemouth: "We now go to a place like Old Trafford looking to win and believing we can win the game. That's a real positive sign of how far the club has come. It's a unique place to go and a really exciting challenge."
Ward-Prowse has been particularly impressed by the quality of Phillips - despite his disastrous back-pass to Dominic Solanke just three minutes into his Irons debut.
When asked if his arrival had provided a boost behind the scenes, he said of his new club team-mate: "Really special. He's got a lot of experience in big matches.
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"He's been at a big club in City for a number of years and I'm sure he's got a point to prove. It's great to have him in the squad and hopefully, he can have a real benefit for us moving forward."
Much like Phillips - Ward-Prowse is using his England Euro 2024 dream as fuel for success this season in east London. He is optimistic both he and Phillips can help bring the best from one another to book their place on the plane to Germany - with Europa League knockout football also on the horizon.
Ward-Prowse continued: "Everyone is playing for a place at the Euros, it's in the back of their minds. Kalvin will feel he has got a point to prove and equally, so do I.
"It's good healthy competition and while we are both in a West Ham shirt we will do what we can to help this team and make it a successful season."
Kalvin Phillips reacts after gifting Bournemouth a goal less than three minutes into his West Ham debutWest Ham's inspired £30million summer signing conceded in November that an international call-up was not on his radar following Gareth Southgate's latest brutal snub.
You get the sense Ward-Prowse has become disillusioned by his repeated omissions after he narrowly missed out on England's World Cup squad for Qatar in 2022. However, his frustrations have had no impact on his form at club level as he continues to drive the standards both on and off the field.
The biggest compliment you can pay him is that he already looks like part of the furniture at West Ham less than six months after ending his 20-year stay with Southampton.
He concluded: "The England manager has got his players and the way he likes to play and that's his decision. I can only talk about my experience playing with Kalvin and you can see his quality on the ball and the way he can move it well. He's also got great character."
West Ham are currently one point ahead of United in the Premier League table as they continue to keep pace in the race for European football.