Man Utd vs. West Ham

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Saturday, 28 August Kick-off: 1715 BST
Coverage: Live on ESPN, BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, local radio & highlights on Match of the Day

• TEAM NEWS

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.

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.

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Man Utd

Doubtful:

Injured: Anderson, Ferdinand & Hargreaves (all knee)

West Ham

Injured: Collison, Hines & Kurucz (all knee), Hitzlsperger (thigh)

• MATCH PREVIEW

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.

With the Hammers porous at the back, it could also be the perfect chance for Wayne Rooney to rediscover his goalscoring form. When United played West Ham back in February, he took his tally to a staggering 27 goals in just 36 matches, but his horror run now stretches to 13 matches and 1081 minutes without a goal.

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.

• MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Man Utd have won their last five matches against West Ham and have scored 14 goals in those games to the Hammers' one.

• The Red Devils dropped just three points from winning positions last season, which was the fewest in the top flight. West Ham on the other hand dropped 15.

• West Ham have made 15 visits to Old Trafford in the Premier League, but have won there just twice, in December 2001 and May 2007.

Man Utd

• Wayne Rooney has failed to score for club and country in 13 matches; his last goal came against Bayern Munich on 30 March. He has provided just one assist in Man Utd's last nine league matches.

• The Red Devils have won 11 of their last 12 league matches at Old Trafford, and have averaged 3.25 goals per game in that period.

• Paul Scholes made 200 passes in United's opening two games of the season, the highest in the league.

West Ham

• The Hammers are without an away win in the league since the first day of last season when they beat Wolves 2-0, a run of 19 matches.

• West Ham's last seven league victories all came at Upton Park.

• If he plays, Scott Parker will be making his 250th career league start.

• LEADING GOALSCORERS

Man Utd

Berbatov: 2 (1 league)

Includes goals in Community Shield

West Ham

Noble: 1 goal (1 league); Parker: 1 goal (0 league)

• MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Mark Clattenburg

Assistant referees: Adam Watts & Martin Yerby

Fourth official: Michael Jones

• LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

Man Utd (D2-2 v Fulham, a): Van der Sar, O'Shea, Vidic, Jonathan Evans, Evra, Valencia (Giggs 74), Fletcher, Scholes, Park (Nani 67), Hernandez (Owen 75), Berbatov. Subs not used: Kuszczak, Smalling, Carrick, Rafael Da Silva.

West Ham (L1-3 v Bolton, h): Green, Faubert, Gabbidon, Upson (Reid 54), Ilunga, Dyer (McCarthy 77), Parker, Noble, Barrera, Piquionne, Cole (Sears 86). Subs not used: Stech, Tomkins, Boa Morte, Kovac.

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Rio Ferdinand close to Manchester United return

Rio Ferdinand is close to making a return for Manchester United after recovering from a knee ligament injury ahead of schedule.

The 31-year-old defender suffered the injury while training with England on 4 June and missed the World Cup.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had not expected him back until late September.

But he explained: "He won't play against West Ham [on Saturday] but we have to think when we can get a game in the next two weeks, he is that close."

Ferguson added: "Rio has trained this week. He's surprised me with his progress, it's fantastic."

Ferdinand injured his knee in a collision with team-mate Emile Heskey during England's first training session in Rustenburg as they prepared for the World Cup in South Africa.

The centre-back will miss England's Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria on Friday 3 September and Switzerland on Tuesday 7 September.

But after ruling Ferdinand out until late September only seven days ago, Ferguson has been impressed by his dramatic improvement.

"Rio hadn't done anything football-wise when I spoke last week," said Ferguson.

"When he read what I said maybe it gave him a kick. But he has come in and trained this week and done fantastic. He will train with the reserves on Friday.

"Everything is fine with him. You have to be careful with ligament injuries, so we will monitor his progress but he is keen."

Ferdinand could feature in a reserve match or a friendly behind closed doors next week.

That would then put him in contention for a Premier League clash against Everton on 11 September and the following matches against Rangers and Liverpool.

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Fulham 2 - 2 Man Utd

Brede Hangeland made amends for an own goal with a late header to rescue a point for Fulham and spoil Manchester United's 100% start to the season.

Hangeland (centre right) beat Vidic and Berbatov to power home his header

Paul Scholes's 25-yard drive put United ahead but Simon Davies' 12-yard finish deservedly drew the home side level.

Hangeland diverted a corner into his own net to give the lead to United, for whom Nani saw a penalty saved by David Stockdale minutes later.

Hangeland rose to head in from a corner to give his side a share of the spoils.

It was the least Fulham deserved for their contribution to a match that had seen them denied possession for large periods but give as good as they got against in-form opponents.

The Cottagers may have changed manager since last season, but Roy Hodgson's replacement, Mark Hughes, will be pleased to see that much of what made Fulham such a tough opponent under his predecessor remains.

No better is this illustrated than in their determination and ability to battle back into the game not only once but twice, when lesser teams would have wilted, especially after such a seemingly decisive late blow as Hangeland's own goal.

That their keeper Stockdale also saved a penalty - diving to his right to palm away substitute Nani's effort after Damien Duff was adjudged to have handled in the box when the ball struck his knee and then arm - between the final two goals of the game serves only to enhance this durable quality.

Such late drama was unforeseeable after the opening 10 minutes, which the away side completely dominated and deservedly led through Scholes's superb low drive - his 150th goal during a career spent entirely with United.

Two seasons ago Scholes was sent off at Craven Cottage in a 2-0 United defeat, the first of two on the ground for the Red Devils in 2009, but he more than made up for this indiscretion with another strong performance on Sunday.

The midfielder was always available, always neat and continually central to his side's patient, progressive and polished play.

The other key figure in United's first goal - Dimitar Berbatov, who teed Scholes up - was also heavily involved throughout the game, shouldering much of the senior attacking responsibility in the absence of the ill Wayne Rooney.

An often maligned figure during his time at Old Trafford, Berbatov has been accused of not scoring often enough, and while he opened his account early this campaign with a goal in the 3-0 opening win over Newcastle, here he was wasteful.

He was presented with half a dozen goalscoring opportunities, and despite testing Stockdale with the majority of them, he should have done better.

But the same could be said of many of Fulham's attacking players.

But for greater accuracy in their own shooting, and the superb intervention of their former goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar - who rescued his current employers United by firstly blocking from Dickson Etuhu and then somehow tipped the midfielder's follow-up effort over the bar - they would have gone into the break level.

A quarter of an hour into the second half the home side were level as Duff robbed Patrice Evra and fed Bobby Zamora down the right, whose pull-back was fired home by the onrushing Davies.

Both sides continued to press for the advantage: Nani flicked the top of the net with a free-kick from the left and Nemanja Vidic headed wide from a corner for United, while Zamora miscued an effort past the far post from a tight angle after being found by Paul Konchesky's flighted free-kick.

It was no surprise that further goals came, only that they were both from the same source.

Central defender Hangeland can consider himself unlucky to see a corner ricochet off his shin and fly in after 84 minutes.

But he can be equally proud of his response at the other end, rising to head home from a corner to give his side a thoroughly warranted equaliser - made possible by Stockdale's spot-kick save.

Dropping two points, even though early in the season, is a blow to United, with reigning champions and title-rivals Chelsea having hit six goals for the second successive game on Saturday to leave them as the only side with maximum points.

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Nemanja Vidic signs new Manchester United contract

Nemanja Vidic has signed a new four-year contract at Manchester United, drawing a line under speculation he could leave the club.

Vidic arrived at Old Trafford from Spartak Moscow in January, 2006

The 28-year-old centre-back was consistently linked with AC Milan and Real Madrid this summer.

But United chief executive David Gill revealed Vidic had agreed terms on a new long-term contract in July.

"This kills all the silly speculation over the past months," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

"Nemanja has developed into one of the best centre-halves in Europe and we are pleased he will be here for many years to come."

Vidic arrived from Spartak Moscow in January 2006, going on to establish himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League and, many observers argued, the world.

He won three successive league titles and his solid central partnership with England international Rio Ferdinand was considered one of the vital components of United's 2008 Champions League triumph.

"I came to this club when I was young and have developed enormously with the help of the manager, coaching staff and my team-mates," added Vidic.

"During my time here we have had a lot of success and I look forward to continuing that success in the coming seasons."

Reports early this year had suggested that he, and specifically his wife, Ana, were unhappy with life in the North West.

And that speculation again gathered momentum during a summer in which Vidic captained his country to group-stage elimination at the World Cup in South Africa.

Ferguson expects to be without knee-injury victim Ferdinand until the end of September so John O'Shea, Wes Brown and Chris Smalling will aim to partner Vidic in the centre of defence.

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Fulham vs. Man Utd

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Craven Cottage Date: Sunday, 22 August Kick-off: 1600 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, local radio, highlights on Match of the Day 2 and live on Sky Sports 1

• TEAM NEWS

Fulham boss Mark Hughes is hopeful unsettled keeper Mark Schwarzer will recover from a back strain in time to face Manchester United on Sunday.

Paul Konchesky could return from an ankle problem, while new striker Moussa Dembele may begin on the bench.

Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has recovered from his collision with an advertising hoarding last weekend.

Rio Ferdinand's knee problem is likely to keep him sidelined until the end of September.

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Fulham

Doubtful: Konchesky (ankle), Schwarzer (back)

Injured: A Johnson (knee), Kamara (foot), Senderos (Achilles)

Man Utd

Injured: Anderson, Ferdinand, Hargreaves (all knee)

• MATCH PREVIEW

Manchester United went 45 years without defeat at Craven Cottage until last year, when they lost twice there in the space of nine months. Beaten 2-0 in March, in a game that saw Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes dismissed, the Red Devils lost last season's meeting 3-0.

An injury crisis meant United fielded a makeshift side for that match, but it is hard to recall a more comprehensive domestic defeat for Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Scot has this week backed striker Wayne Rooney to break his goalscoring drought sooner rather than later. The 24-year-old has failed to net in his last 13 games for club and country.

Mark Hughes' first home game as Fulham boss comes against his former club. On Monday night's evidence, Hughes' priority will be working out how to stop former United team-mate Paul Scholes, who masterminded the Red Devils' comfortable win against Newcastle.

As Manchester City boss, Mark Hughes lost all three league games against Manchester United, also suffering a 4-3 aggregate defeat to the Red Devils in the Carling Cup semi-finals.

• MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• The Red Devils have won 10 of their last 12 games against Fulham in all competitions.

Fulham

• The victory at home to Manchester United last December was Fulham's only win against top-six opponents last season.

• Eleven of their 12 league wins last season came at Craven Cottage.

• Fulham scored a higher proportion of long-range goals than any other side last season.

• They scored 69% of their goals last season in the second half, the highest proportion in the league.

Man Utd

• The Red Devils had the Premier League's best away record last season, collecting 36 points on their travels despite losing five times.

• Wayne Rooney has failed to score in his last 13 matches for club and country, a run of over 18 hours. His last goal was on 30 March in the 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich.

• Sir Alex Ferguson's side have won their last five Premier League games.

• LEADING GOALSCORERS

Fulham

Yet to score this season

Manchester United

Berbatov: 2 (1 league); Fletcher, Giggs: 1 (1 league);

Hernandez, Valencia: 1 (0 league)

Includes goals in Community Shield

• MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Peter Walton

Assistant referees: Dave Bryan & Andy Newbold

Fourth official: Lee Probert

• LAST LEAGUE MATCH LINE-UPS

Fulham (D0-0 v Bolton, a): Stockdale; Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Kelly, Davies, Etuhu, Murphy, Duff, Gera (Dempsey 74), Zamora. Subs not used: Zuberbuhler, Baird, Riise, Stoor, Greening, Elm.

Man Utd (W3-0 v Newcastle, h): Van der Sar; O'Shea, Vidic, Jonathan Evans, Evra (Rafael 87), Valencia, Fletcher, Scholes, Nani (Giggs 71), Berbatov, Rooney (Hernandez 63). Subs not used: Kuszczak, Smalling, Carrick, Macheda.

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Man Utd's Rio Ferdinand to return at end of September

Defender Rio Ferdinand is expected to return to fitness at the end of September, according to Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Anderson and Ferdinand watched from the stands as United beat Newcastle

The 31-year-old suffered a ligament injury while training with England on 4 June, putting him out of the World Cup.

He is likely to miss United's Premier League matches against Fulham, West Ham, Everton and Liverpool, but could be back against Bolton on 26 September.

He is also out of Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland.

It had initially been hoped that the England captain may be fit for the start of the season but estimates on his recovery have gradually been revised backwards.

Ferguson, speaking at the end of July, said the centre-back was six weeks away from match fitness - a prognosis that suggested he would make his comeback for the away match against Everton on 12 September.

"At the time Steve McNally, the club doctor, said September," Ferguson said on Friday. "We're quite near the mark.

"It was a medial ligament problem rather than a cruciate, so the recovery time is exactly what we thought.

"It was a freak. It is nothing to do with his back. We just had to treat it the proper way. These things are never easy."

Ferdinand suffered his injury in a collision with team-mate Emile Heskey during England's first training session in Rustenburg as they prepared for the World Cup in South Africa.

The injury was a devastating end to what had been a disappointing season for Ferdinand, who was restricted to only 13 Premier League starts for United and 21 appearances overall because of a persistent back injury.

While the first two matches of England's Euro 2012 qualification campaign on 3 and 7 September are now out of the question, manager Fabio Capello may have him back for Montenegro's visit to Wembley on 12 October.

Ferdinand's United team-mate Anderson is closer to making his own comeback after a cruciate knee ligament injury suffered against West Ham in February ruled him out of Brazil's World Cup campaign.

The 22-year-old, who escaped a serious car crash with minor injuries in August , could be part of the squad that make the trip to Goodison Park.

"I'm so happy and excited to be back again after six months without football," stated Anderson.

"I think maybe very soon I'll come back again and start playing normally with the rest of the team.

"I have had no problems at all with the injury. I'm just running and training now really hard."

From BBC

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