Manchester United v West Ham United Live
MATCH PREVIEW
West Ham United's mini-revival will be put to the test on Tuesday evening when they take on Premier League champions Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Gianfranco Zola has guided his side to back-to-back victories for the first time this season over Birmingham City and Hull City with the manner of the triumphs pleasing their diminutive Italian boss.
The Hammers have notched five goals without conceding in the two games as their flagging campaign has taken a much-needed turn for the better.
However, they face the daunting task of continuing their resurgence at Old Trafford and it is likely Sir Alex Ferguson's men will be a wounded beast.
Having gone eight games undefeated, the Red Devils fell to a disappointing 3-1 reversal at Everton on Saturday.
Despite Dimitar Berbatov's early strike, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Dan Gosling and Jack Rodwell all netted to secure a fine victory for the Merseysiders.
The loss, coupled with Chelsea's 2-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, sees United trail their Stamford Bridge rivals by four points.
Zola still has a string of injuries to contend with as his team battle for their Premier League status this term.
Herita Ilunga (thigh), Calum Davenport (hip and thigh) Kuis Boa Morte (cruciate ligament) and Zavon Hines (knee) are long-term absentees and they are currently joined in the treatment room by Danny Gabbidon and Kieron Dyer (both hamstring).
New signing Benni McCarthy (knee) is struggling to make the fixture and Fabio Daprela could face a late fitness test on his ankle problem.
Ryan Giggs, who broke his arm during the 1-1 draw at Aston Villa on February 10, will miss the clash as well as the Carling Cup final against Villa on Sunday. John O'Shea (thigh) and Owen Hargreaves (knee) are still missing.
If statistics are anything to go by, then a home win is a certainty. The Hammers have failed to win any of their previous 12 away games but United have won their last five home fixtures without conceding a goal.
Source: DSG
