Date/Time: Aug 28, 2010, 12:30pm
16:30 until 18:30GMT
Competition: England Premier League
Live/Repeat: Live
Venue: Old Trafford (Manchester)

Manchester United vs West Ham United

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.Wayne Rooney has hit 14 goals in 14 Premier League games and West Ham must be on their guard if he isn’t to add to his fine record.

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Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes’ is playing the midfield the like Paul Scholes of old. His opening strike to put United in the lead against Fulham on Sunday was a classic Scholes thumper from distance, and it was the wee redhead’s 150th goal for his club.

Despite Scholes’ heroics the best United could do was a draw against a determined Cottagers side, largely due to Nani’s missed penalty.

The draw seemed a fair result for Fulham, although United should certainly have taken all three points on the day.

United scored seven goals against West Ham in their two league matches last season, and simultaneously kept the Hammers off the score sheet. Given West Ham’s results in their first two league matches this season there is no reason to expect a narrower scoreline.

West Ham striker Alessandro Diamante has returned to Italy and will play for Brescia in Serie A this season. Meanwhile West Ham’s England international striker Carlton Cole also looks set for a move away from Upton Park, with Liverpool and Sunderland expected to make bids.

The Hammers beat Oxford United 1-0 in Carling Cup action this week, but that is likely to be the highlight of their week since their match at Old Trafford at the weekend puts them in front of a very different opponent.

To bolster their attack West Ham have signed Inter’s Nigerian international striker Victor Obinna on loan. Obinna won’t be available for the match at Old Trafford on Sunday, however.