West Ham vs Manchester United FA Cup Preview

PREVIEW

All eyes will be on Joe Cole when West Ham United host Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday evening.

The midfielder has re-joined his boyhood club from Liverpool on an 18-month contract and has the chance to make his first appearance in a glamorous cup tie at Upton Park.

Cole also has fond memories of playing against Manchester United in the FA Cup, having been a teenager in the team who stunned Sir Alex Ferguson's team in 2001's fourth round.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce will know Premier League stability remains a priority for last season's Championship play-off winners. 

But a cup win over Ferguson's table-topping squad would act as a significant confidence boost for the London club. 

Not that Manchester United will be taking it easy when they kick-off in the capital at the weekend. 

The FA Cup remains a special competition in Ferguson's eyes and the fact his side have not won it since 2004 has become something of an irritation.

TEAM NEWS

WEST HAM

Cole could make his West Ham United debut in his second spell at the club when they take on Manchester United in the FA Cup on Saturday evening. 

The midfielder has returned to Upton Park, where he began his career, on an 18-month contract which was confirmed on Friday morning. 

But West Ham will still be without injured on-loan striker Andy Carroll and so Carlton Cole is likely to continue in attack. 

Mohamed Diame also remains sidelined through injury but James Collins and Kevin Nolan can return after suspension.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Manchester United are set for changes and it is quite conceivable Sir Alex Ferguson could select a completely different starting line-up to the one he picked at Wigan Athletic. 

Wayne Rooney will definitely be absent after being ruled out for another two weeks due to the knee injury he sustained at Swansea City on 22nd December. 

Darren Fletcher could come into the team in midfield as he has not started a game since 1st December after being involved in three of the previous four. 

Shinji Kagawa needs additional match practice after his knee injury, while Nemanja Vidic, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are also searching for full fitness.

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Source: SkySports