Premier League - Match Preview: West Ham United v Manchester United
James Collins scores for West Ham
Phil Jones is determined to help Manchester United embark on a winning run as they prepare to face West Ham United in the Barclays Premier League.
Robin van Persie lifted the gloom at Old Trafford by scoring a hat-trick as Man United overcame a two-goal first-leg deficit to beat Olympiacos 3-0 in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday to progress to the quarter-finals.
A 3-0 home defeat in the top flight against fierce rivals Liverpool on Sunday had been the latest setback for David Moyes’s side in a disappointing Barclays Premier League campaign so the fightback against the Greek champions was a much-needed tonic.
Seventh-placed United now turn their attention back to domestic matters as they attempt to make up ground on the teams above them in the Barclays Premier League, and Jones is eager to build momentum for the remainder of the campaign, starting with Saturday's trip to Upton Park.
"I think the Olympiacos game has got to be a springboard for us," said the England defender. "It was a huge night. We have to use this as an impetus to go and prove that we can win game after game.
"We let ourselves down on Sunday so it was good to get the win for us and the fans. They have something to smile about now and hopefully we can kick on."
United have won their last two league matches on their travels and have not conceded in three on the road, but they will have to do without captain Nemanja Vidic, who starts a two-match ban following his red card against Liverpool and Van Persie, whose knee was found to have been sprained late on against Olympiacos. The forward will miss the next 4-6 weeks, according to the club. Defenders Chris Smalling (hamstring) and Jonny Evans (groin) are expected to miss out once again, too.
West Ham are due a win against United in the top flight at Upton Park as you have to go back to 2007 for the last time they secured a home win over the champions. Moyes' men consigned the London club to a 3-1 defeat when the two sides met at Old Trafford back in December and Sam Allardyce's charges go into the encounter on the back of defeats at Everton and Stoke City.
West Ham have won their last three home fixtures though, and Allardyce believes they need at least another seven points to be guaranteed safety as they sit six points ahead of third-bottom Sunderland, who have two matches in hand.
When asked how many points will be needed to avoid the drop, the former Newcastle United manager said: "I think probably about 38. Then again, with nine games to go, some have 10; it's swings and roundabouts more than ever before."
Defender Joey O'Brien (dislocated shoulder) and striker Marco Borriello (calf) will play no part for the home side.
West Ham (from): Adrian, Henderson, Jaaskelainen, Collins, Demel, Johnson, McCartney, Potts, Reid, Tomkins, Armero, J Cole, Diame, Diarra, Downing, Jarvis, Noble, Nocerino Nolan, Razak, Taylor, Carroll, C Cole, Lee, Vaz Te.
Manchester United (from): De Gea, Lindegaard, Buttner, Evra, Ferdinand, Jones, Rafael, Varela, Carrick, Cleverley, Fellaini, Fletcher, Giggs, Januzaj, Kagawa, Mata, Nani, Valencia, Young, Hernandez, Rooney, Van Persie, Welbeck
Match Appointments
Referee: Lee Mason. Assistants: S Bennett, J Collin. Fourth Official: M Jones.
A 3-0 home defeat in the top flight against fierce rivals Liverpool on Sunday had been the latest setback for David Moyes’s side in a disappointing Barclays Premier League campaign so the fightback against the Greek champions was a much-needed tonic.
Seventh-placed United now turn their attention back to domestic matters as they attempt to make up ground on the teams above them in the Barclays Premier League, and Jones is eager to build momentum for the remainder of the campaign, starting with Saturday's trip to Upton Park.
"I think the Olympiacos game has got to be a springboard for us," said the England defender. "It was a huge night. We have to use this as an impetus to go and prove that we can win game after game.
"We let ourselves down on Sunday so it was good to get the win for us and the fans. They have something to smile about now and hopefully we can kick on."
United have won their last two league matches on their travels and have not conceded in three on the road, but they will have to do without captain Nemanja Vidic, who starts a two-match ban following his red card against Liverpool and Van Persie, whose knee was found to have been sprained late on against Olympiacos. The forward will miss the next 4-6 weeks, according to the club. Defenders Chris Smalling (hamstring) and Jonny Evans (groin) are expected to miss out once again, too.
West Ham are due a win against United in the top flight at Upton Park as you have to go back to 2007 for the last time they secured a home win over the champions. Moyes' men consigned the London club to a 3-1 defeat when the two sides met at Old Trafford back in December and Sam Allardyce's charges go into the encounter on the back of defeats at Everton and Stoke City.
West Ham have won their last three home fixtures though, and Allardyce believes they need at least another seven points to be guaranteed safety as they sit six points ahead of third-bottom Sunderland, who have two matches in hand.
When asked how many points will be needed to avoid the drop, the former Newcastle United manager said: "I think probably about 38. Then again, with nine games to go, some have 10; it's swings and roundabouts more than ever before."
Defender Joey O'Brien (dislocated shoulder) and striker Marco Borriello (calf) will play no part for the home side.
West Ham (from): Adrian, Henderson, Jaaskelainen, Collins, Demel, Johnson, McCartney, Potts, Reid, Tomkins, Armero, J Cole, Diame, Diarra, Downing, Jarvis, Noble, Nocerino Nolan, Razak, Taylor, Carroll, C Cole, Lee, Vaz Te.
Manchester United (from): De Gea, Lindegaard, Buttner, Evra, Ferdinand, Jones, Rafael, Varela, Carrick, Cleverley, Fellaini, Fletcher, Giggs, Januzaj, Kagawa, Mata, Nani, Valencia, Young, Hernandez, Rooney, Van Persie, Welbeck
Match Appointments
Referee: Lee Mason. Assistants: S Bennett, J Collin. Fourth Official: M Jones.