Safety in numbers for Reds

United have no new injury worries ahead of Saturday's trip to face West Ham, but Sir Alex Ferguson is taking an enlarged squad to Upton Park in preparation for all eventualities.

At a time of year where sudden sickness is rife, the United manager is taking no risks as his side look for a sixth successive Premier League victory.

"We're taking a big squad down tomorrow for the game with West Ham," Sir Alex told his pre-match press conference. "We're taking 20 players down, keeping them all together because you never know at this time of year.

"Utilising the squad is important. We freshened up the other day by leaving Ryan, Tevez and Anderson out (against Sunderland). Tomorrow we'll make some more changes. Hopefully that brings the right freshness and gets us the right result.

"The confidence as a team is good, the form is good so we're going into the game in the right frame of mind. It's never easy at West Ham, of course. They beat us twice last season so we expect a tough game but in the form we're in we're looking forward to it."

Owen Hargreaves will be among the travelling party for Saturday's match, but goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has not recovered in time to feature.

"Edwin is not fit for tomorrow, he's still out but Tomasz is doing very well," Sir Alex revealed. "He starts training tomorrow and he could be back for Birmingham." Read more...

We're Still Grateful

Carlos Tevez will get the freedom of Upton Park tomorrow - even if he sticks the boot in on West Ham’s home misery. The Manchester United striker returns to the Boleyn for the first time since launching his one-man survival campaign for the Hammers last season. Now Hammers defender Matthew Upson is certain Tevez, who moved to Old Trafford in the summer, will get the welcome he deserves from grateful Upton Park fans. Upson said: “You are talking about something that does not happen very often. He really did single-handedly turn things around last season. Carlos will get a fantastic reception. All our fans respect him for what he did and he will be welcomed back for the rest of his life, to be honest."
Pat Sheehan, The Sun Read more...

Wenger not worried by Reds

Arsene Wenger insists he is not worried about his side's title chances after the Gunners relinquished top spot to United on Boxing Day.

Arsenal could only manage a 0-0 draw at Portsmouth in the day's evening kick-off having seen the Reds thrash Sunderland 4-0 at the Stadium of Light.

Wenger admits he would prefer to be in pole position, but is unfazed by the swap in positions at the Premier League summit.

"I prefer to be in front, but with one point difference that is not that big a deal. We have only lost one game so you will have problems to convince me that we are in a crisis."

Arsenal will be hoping for a positive result at Goodison Park on Saturday, having picked up just two points from their three previous away games.

"I believe that if we just try and focus on our performances and get a good result at Everton then everything is alright," added Wenger.

"If we go six months again unbeaten then we will be champions." Read more...

Boss expects Wazza goal rush

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney's eighth strike of the season at Sunderland - his first in six games since returning from an ankle injury - could spark another goal rush.

The striker netted seven times in seven games during October and November and also bagged two goals for England during that period.

A freak training ground accident in mid-November, which ruled him out for three weeks, derailed the 22-year-old somewhat, but Sir Alex believes his Boxing Day opener at the Stadium of Light could be the catalyst to another good run of goalscoring form.

"I have said before that strikers do go on little runs like that," the boss told MUTV. "It is his first goal for six games, but his goals have come in waves.

"When he got his recent injury, he was out for nearly a month and since then, he has been gradually getting towards what we have seen of him against Sunderland." Read more...

Keane: Yule win it, Fergie

United legend Roy Keane tipped his old club to hang on to their Premier League crown after Arsenal were held 0-0 at Portsmouth. Cristiano Ronaldo and Co went a point clear at the top following a scintillating 4-0 destruction of Keane’s Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Keane said: “My money’s still on United. I thought that two months ago and my opinion hasn’t changed. They are just a lethal attacking team. And they are equally good at the back. Ferdinand and Vidic — they are not bad are they? It takes a combination like that to win the league. Any team like that will get stronger. If United are there or thereabouts they have a chance."
Steve Brenner, The Sun Read more...