Chairman David Sullivan’s decision this summer to hire a head coach of as much renown as Lopetegui to replace Moyes was born of the club’s ambition to kick on after three successive seasons in Europe spent pushing England’s top clubs in the league but with a style of play sometimes deemed risk-averse and, at its most criticised, backward.

Julen Lopetegui has dismissed the idea that Manchester United don’t have a style of play under Erik ten Hag, saying that is clear to him what they are doing. The Hammers host the Red Devils on Sunday and both managers are already under pressure after poor starts to the season.

West Ham's Julen Lopetegui said under-fire managers should not complain about pressure as he prepared to face Manchester United's Erik ten Hag in a battle of bosses in the hot seat.