West Ham V Man Utd - 12.45 : SS2

MagicMarker

Manchester United will be aiming to apply the early weekend pressure in the Premier League title race against a West Ham United side in need of the points in their bid for survival.

The current leaders can boast an enviable recent record against Saturday's opponents after winning the last five Premier League meetings without conceding a goal.

However, West Ham were the first team to inflict defeat on the Red Devils this season following a 4-0 victory at Upton Park in the Carling Cup quarter-finals in November.

The Hammers ultimately lost to Birmingham City in the semi-finals, but have been in encouraging form of late following just one defeat in six league games.

That sequence has lifted Avram Grant's side out of the relegation zone and has been aided by the return to fitness of Thomas Hitzlsperger.

The Germany international has formed an impressive midfield triumvirate with Scott Parker and Mark Noble, while the goals of January recruit Demba Ba have also reinvigorated West Ham.

The Red Devils' bid for a record-breaking 19th title, meanwhile, has stuttered in recent weeks on the back of three defeats in six matches and the trip to Upton Park will be a fifth away game out of seven.

Upton Park has been a graveyard for United's title hopes in the past, most famously in 1995 when the Hammers held Sir Alex Ferguson's side to a 1-1 draw as Blackburn Rovers hung on to win the league.

With a five-point cushion over Arsenal, and a nine-point advantage over reigning champions Chelsea, albeit having played a game more than both clubs, Ferguson will want his team to pick up a win at West Ham to put his team's title rivals under pressure.

Team news

Hammers boss Grant has more options to choose from than for some time and both Frederic Piquionne and Robbie Keane are available for the game.

Piquionne missed the 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur last time due to a foot injury, but the international break has allowed the striker to return to fitness.

Keane missed over a month with a thigh problem but, having made a brief substitute's appearance against Stoke City in the FA Cup, the on-loan forward had to sit out against parent club Spurs before playing for the Republic of Ireland last weekend.

Influential midfielder Parker picked up shoulder and calf injuries on England duty, but he is expected to be fit to start on Saturday.

The visitors continue to experience defensive problems ahead of the journey to the capital, although captain Nemanja Vidic should be fit to start.

Vidic has recently been sidelined with a calf injury, but played for Serbia in midweek and should partner the improving Chris Smalling at centre-half.

Jonny Evans is suspended after being sent off in the 1-0 win over Bolton last time, while Rio Ferdinand, John O'Shea, Wes Brown and Rafael are all injured, so Fabio may start at right-back.

Paul Scholes serves the second game of a suspension for accruing 10 yellow cards this season, and Darren Fletcher is still struggling with a virus after almost a month out, bur the likes of Antonio Valencia, Anderson and Park Ji-sung are available.

Dimitar Berbatov could also earn a recall to the starting line-up after coming off the bench to score the winner against Bolton, while Wayne Rooney was excused from England's friendly draw with Ghana on Tuesday.

Possible starting XIs

West Ham: Green, Jacobsen, Da Costa, Upson, Bridge, Noble, Parker, Hitzlsperger, O'Neil, Ba, Piquionne.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Fabio, Smalling, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Nani, Rooney, Berbatov.

mike65

This will either be a tight testy 1-0 or a 3-3 open game madness. Loads of attacking potential, just a question of approach by the managers.

vicwatson

Ba for the winner - Come on you irons !

I think we'll stick with the 4-3-3 with Obinna in the mix today, maybe Keane

vicwatson

West Ham: Green, Jacobsen, Da Costa, Upson, Bridge, Noble, Parker, Hitzlsperger, O'Neil, Ba, Piquionne

Pics is injured so shouldn't be in the mix today

Predator_

Must win for United. If they are to win the league then they need to win games like this.

vicwatson

Must win for United. If they are to win the league then they need to win games like this.

An absolute must win for United - 3 points will send us flying up the table (hopefully other results go our way too):)

Nalz

must win must win must win

vicwatson

Pics is injured so shouldn't be in the mix today

Just heard from the Boleyn - Pics is good to go.

Rob113

Believe

amacachi

Can't see United lose this, comfortable win by 2 or 3 goals.

Peyton Manning

Thank God real football is back

Turtyturd

West Ham used to be a bogey team for United...not so much anymore, reckon it will be a close game with a late United winner.

Also expect Robbie Keane to show Ferguson he could be a good summer buy by complaining to the ref about every decision against him like United's best

homerjay2005

team v West Ham: Kuszczak; Fabio, Smalling, Vidic, Evra; Gibson, Carrick, Giggs; Valencia, Park, Rooney

what the f*ck?!

Subs, Anderson, Nani, Owen, Berbatov, Hernandez, Amos, Gill

vicwatson

reckon it will be a close game with a late United winner.

I agree with Der Hammer on the end of it !! Yeh go United, Super Irons

Nalz

homerjay2005 wrote: »

team v West Ham: Kuszczak; Fabio, Smalling, Vidic, Evra; Gibson, Carrick, Giggs; Valencia, Park, Rooney

what the f*ck?!

Whats going on with Berba & Nani?

greendom

tough game for United. The Hammers have really turned things around, they're tough to beat at home and they'll be really up for this one.

I predict a draw

EDIT - just seen the United team, I think the Hammers could win this

3hn2givr7mx1sc

homerjay2005 wrote: »

team v West Ham: Kuszczak; Fabio, Smalling, Vidic, Evra; Gibson, Carrick, Giggs; Valencia, Park, Rooney

what the f*ck?!

What I knid of expected, tbh. Except Kuszczak.

Nalz

baz2009 wrote: »

What I knid of expected, tbh. Except Kuszczak.

Nani?

vicwatson

United's starting XI is unchanged from the visit to spurs - Green, Jacobsen, Bridge, Da Costa, Upson, Parker, Hitzlsperger, Noble, O'Neil, Ba, Cole

greendom

Trilla wrote: »

Whats going on with Berba & Nani?

Being rested for next week ?

homerjay2005

f*ck international week...always the same crap the weekend after, players missing though why on earth is berba and ando not playing considering they didnt play midweek. very strange

lets hope van der sar makes the chelsea games now, he has a groin strain.

u140acro3xs7dm

homerjay2005 wrote: »

team v West Ham: Kuszczak; Fabio, Smalling, Vidic, Evra; Gibson, Carrick, Giggs; Valencia, Park, Rooney

what the f*ck?!

Subs, Anderson, Nani, Owen, Berbatov, Hernandez, Amos, Gill

Lets hope we dont get another injury in defence. Would not be an ideal game for Gill to come in. On the other hand at least we have plenty of options if we are chasing the game. I had a feeling Park would start, if he does well I see him starting against Chelsea.

3hn2givr7mx1sc

Trilla wrote: »

Nani?

The midfield was always going to be weak, so Park kind of had to play to help them out. Giggs, Gibson and Carrick. Fúckin hell that's the least energetic midfield in the PL.
Valencia will trackback a lot, too.

u140acro3xs7dm

homerjay2005 wrote: »

f*ck international week...always the same crap the weekend after, players missing though why on earth is berba and ando not playing considering they didnt play midweek. very strange

lets hope van der sar makes the chelsea games now, he has a groin strain.

Berba is prob not playing as he doesnt suit the lone forward role. Ando might not be fully fit yet. I think the reason we are playing one up top is because the last time Giggs and Carrick played in the centre together we really lacked energy in there.

James Forde

Gibson and Carrick in the middle

we're going to get bummed

Headshot

I just woke up and seen the utd line up

I think ill go back to bed...

James Forde

only decent thing we have a very attacking bench if/when things go tits up

u140acro3xs7dm

baz2009 wrote: »

The midfield was always going to be weak, so Park kind of had to play to help them out. Giggs, Gibson and Carrick. Fúckin hell that's the least energetic midfield in the PL.
Valencia will trackback a lot, too.

They could play Giggs on the left and Park at the head of the three which he has played in Europe before. I feel this is Parks best position as he can drift either side. He has great off the ball movement.

bennyx_o

After seeing the team, I can see West Ham nicking this by a goal

Peyton Manning

Look on the positive side fellars.

Our Asian pin-up heart throb is back, Valencia & Rooney partnership is back up and running once again and the continued absence of Rio is nothing but a slight nuisance such is Smalling's form.

And I'm calling it now, Michael Carrick to put in a cracking display

Nalz

Tom_Brady wrote: »

Michael Carrick to put in a cracking display

LOL

Frisbee

Starting to feel bad for Berba at this stage.

Peyton Manning

Trilla wrote: »

LOL

So's your face.

RandolphEsq

My bets for the match;

First to be shown a card - Parker 8/1

Utd to win and Park to score - 5/1

Rooney 1st scorer - 5/1

10cent on each

adox

****e looking midfield but really tahrs the norm now. Obviously Fergie has an eye on midweek.

Park and Valencias endeavour could turn this game for us, along with a sprinkling of Rooney magic.

2-1 to United.

u140acro3xs7dm

Tom_Brady wrote: »

And I'm calling it now, Michael Carrick to put in a cracking display

:eek::eek:

Its on your head if he has a bad game.

3hn2givr7mx1sc

Nala Dirty Yardage wrote: »

They could play Giggs on the left and Park at the head of the three which he has played in Europe before. I feel this is Parks best position as he can drift either side. He has great off the ball movement.

Agree completely. JSP was class that night he played in an AMC kinda role.

u140acro3xs7dm

RandolphEsq wrote: »

My bets for the match;

First to be shown a card - Parker 8/1

Utd to win and Park to score - 5/1

Rooney 1st scorer - 5/1

10cent on each

Last of the big spenders

Peyton Manning

Nala Dirty Yardage wrote: »

:eek::eek:

Its on your head if he has a bad game.

As president of the Michael Carrick fan club, it's always on my head if he has a bad game. As you can imagine, the neck strains have been shocking this year, but I just have a feeling he'll have to step up and carry Gibbo today.

Headshot

Tom_Brady wrote: »

Look on the positive side fellars.

Our Asian pin-up heart throb is back,

9/1 insure bet, Tom. Will it work again

adox

RandolphEsq wrote: »

My bets for the match;

First to be shown a card - Parker 8/1

Utd to win and Park to score - 5/1

Rooney 1st scorer - 5/1

10cent on each

Last of the big spenders eh? :pac:

Essien

I'd fancy United to just do enough but I certainly wouldn't rule out West Ham looking at that United line up, it could be a close one.

u140acro3xs7dm

Anyone know what state the pitch is in?

Mr.Crinklewood

Man Utd Subs:- Amos, Gill, Anderson, Nani, Berbatov, Hernandez, Owen.

Mars Bar

Christ almighty. April Fools was yesterday.

Kess73

United to get a comfortable win.

Mikeyt086

Gibson scored an absolute belter at Upton Park last season, Carrick was always going to be playing.

We also now have the option of Berbatov, Hernandez and Nani off the bench.

Dammo

I think United will win this one, especially as the away team doesn't look that strong.

3hn2givr7mx1sc

Dammo wrote: »

I think United will win this one, especially as the away team doesn't look that strong.

TheTownie

Gibson to play 60/65 minutes, then Ando to come on and show him how its done. :P

Unless injuries dictate otherwise...

UnitedIrishman

I know Fergie likes a gamble but fúck me!

In fairness playing three across midfield makes sense given the energy of Hitz and Parker - I just thought it would be three different midfielders.

Putting a scoreline on it - 1-0 United with Rooney getting the goal.

Ah bollocks, just remembered Berba in the fantasy football this week.