A week-and-a-half ago, Tom Cleverley opened the scoring at the Boleyn
Ground with a wonderful curling effort to the far-post in the 23rd
minute. Minutes later, James Collins rose high to equalise for West Ham
United after a Joe Cole cross. The same combination, a Cole cross from
the left side to a Collins' header, put the Hammers up 2-1 in the 59th
minute. Then stoppage time arrived when van Persie, as a substitute that
night, came on to (again) rescue Manchester United.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Form Guide: United currently sit
top of the Premier League table with 55 points from 22 matches and with a
seven-point advantage over nearest title-contending rival Manchester
City. The Red Devils are currently unbeaten in their past 11 domestic
matches with the only draws being the 2-2 FA Cup meeting with West Ham
and the 1-1 league visit to Swansea City. Their recent result occurred
at the weekend when they defeated rivals Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford.
Team News: Nemanja Vidic, Ashley
Young, and Jonny Evans are expected to be unavailable. Anders Lindegaard
missed the weekend match with Liverpool due to the flu apparently. The
Dane's current status is uncertain. Wayne Rooney and Nani are expected
to make their returns from recent injury for this match.
WEST HAM UNITED
Form Guide: The Hammers currently
sit 11th in the league table with 26 points from 21 matches. They also
have a game in hand on most of the league. The form of Sam Allardyce's
side has dipped lately as they've only won once from their past seven
fixtures. Their most recent result was a 0-3 defeat by Sunderland at the
weekend.
Team News: The injury situation is
dire for the East London side as the likes of James Collins, Mark Noble,
George McCartney, Joey O'Brien, and Andy Carroll are all out due to
injury. Modibo Maiga is unavailable as well because he's left to
represent Mali in the African Cup of Nations. January recruits are
Wellington Paulista and Marouane Chamakh are ineligible for this round
of the competition.
PROJECTING LINEUPS
United: David de Gea has started
the past nine games in goal and he again appears likely to be chosen. If
manager Sir Alex Ferguson wants to give the Spaniard a rest though,
either Lindegaard or Ben Amos are possible. With Vidic and Evans out,
and with Rio Ferdinand likely to be given a rest, Chris Smalling and
Phil Jones seem probable as the central-defender duo. If Patrice Evra is
rested too, then Alexander Buttner could deputise at left-back. Any of
Rafael, Smalling, Jones, or even Antonio Valencia are possible at
right-back.
In central-midfield, any of Michael Carrick, Tom
Cleverley, Anderson, Paul Scholes, Darren Fletcher, or Giggs are
possible. Carrick and Cleverley started at the weekend so they are
obvious candidates to be rotated out. This seems like a good fixture to
introduce Anderson after his recent recovery from injury.
Sir Alex Ferguson has already indicated that Nani is likely to be
involved so this hints that a system with wingers will be used rather
than a diamond one. The Portuguese winger could play on either flank.
The likes of Valencia, Giggs, Shinji Kagawa, and Danny Welbeck are also
in contention in the wide areas.
If a diamond system is used, then any of Kagawa, Giggs,
or Nick Powell are possible in a playmaker's role. RvP is obviously the
first name on the team sheet most days but if he's rested, then the
likes of Welbeck and Javier Hernandez (Chicharito) are possible to
partner Wayne Rooney up front. Ferguson has already indicated the latter
would be involved for this match.
West Ham: Jussi Jaaskelainen is the
No.1 and he'll likely be between the posts. Allardyce's choices in
defense are limited due to injury as his only established first-team
options are James Tomkins, Winston Reid, and Guy Demel. Expect youngster
Danny Potts to join them as well and be deployed at left-back.
In midfield, with Noble likely out, that leaves Alou
Diarra and Jack Collison as the likely central-midfielders. Gary O'Neil
is in contention as well. Out wide, two of either Matthew Jarvis, Joe
Cole, Matthew Taylor, and Ricardo Vaz Te will be chosen. Carlton Cole is
expected as the No.9 and in behind him could be either Kevin Nolan,
Taylor, or J.Cole.
KO: 8:05pm GMT,| Old Trafford
Referee: Phil Dowd
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