Barclays Premier League
Venue: Old Trafford
Date: Saturday, 28 August Kick-off: 1715 BST
Referee: Mark Clattenburg

MATCH PREVIEW

Manchester United
Letting a lead slip twice, squandering a penalty and conceding an 89th minute equaliser against Fulham last Sunday left Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson raging, especially as his side missed out on the title last season by a solitary point.

But the Red Devils are a team that never dwells on a bad result and, on paper, West Ham seem ideal opposition as Ferguson's side look to play catch up on Chelsea's goal difference that already stands at +12.

Manchester United may rest Paul Scholes and draft Michael Carrick or Ryan Giggs into central midfield. Wayne Rooney returns after missing the match with Fulham and will partner Dimitar Berbatov in attack.

WestHam United
West Ham are likely to opt for a five-man midfield, so striker Frederic Piquionne could give way to midfielder Radoslav Kovac. Matthew Upson should return to the side after missing the Carling Cup game against Oxford with a facial injury.

Hammers boss Avram Grant faced an insurmountable challenge when he replaced Paul Hart at crisis club Portsmouth last season, but on the evidence of West Ham's first three games of the season, he has another serious job on his hands to install faith in a team that he says carry a lot of "psychology problems."

The Hammers are already off to their worst-ever start to a Premier League season and captain Scott Parker admitted he is "dreading" the thought of Saturday's trip to Old Trafford. If that wasn't bad enough, they then face Chelsea, Stoke away and Tottenham.


POSSIBLE FORMATION

Manchester United (4-4-2)
Van der Sar;
O’Shea, Vidic, Evans, Evra;
Valencia, Fletcher, Scholes, Park;
Berbatov, Rooney.

WestHam United (4-4-2)
Green;
Faubert; Gabbidon; Upson; Ilunga;
Dyer; Parker; Noble; Barrera;
Piquionne; Cole;


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