<p style="text-align: center;"><strong> <a href="http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/man-utd-badge-e1281855491556.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-8467" title="man utd badge" src="http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/man-utd-badge-e1281855491556.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a>MANCHESTER UNITED<a href="http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/whu.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-9112" title="whu" src="http://www.thehardtackle.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/whu.jpg" alt="" width="100" height="100" /></a> v WEST HAM UNITED <span style="font-weight: normal;">Old Trafford, Manchester August 28, 2010 10:30 PM IST – Live on ESPN </span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Manchester United would be hoping to come back to winning ways after their last week’s draw against a spirited Fulham side. Chelsea’s barrage of goals in the opening two games has asked questions of other title-contenders including United but Sir Alex would be hoping for his side to respond in the best possible manner, especially after the ‘<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8935249.stm" target="_blank">silly points lost</a>’ at the Cottage.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Valencia’s form has dipped in the last two games after his great start to the season in the community-shield. He might be given a rest with Nani patrolling the right side of midfield. Carrick is also expected to be involved after he missed the previous two games. Rafael could also get the nod ahead of John O’ Shea to provide an extra attacking option for the home side.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" style="border: 0px initial initial;" title="Wayne Rooney Manchester United 2010/11" src="http://view3.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9561752/wayne-rooney-manchester/wayne-rooney-manchester.jpg?size=380&imageId=9561752" border="0" alt="Wayne Rooney Manchester United 2010/11 Manchester United V Newcastle United (3-0) 16/08/10 The Premier League Photo Robin Parker Fotosports International Photo via Newscom" width="300" height="350" /><em>Rooney returns - but can he return to form?</em></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Rooney returns to the side after a stomach upset which ruled him out of the last game against Fulham. Anderson and Neville had a decent run out in midweek for the reserves, but they are still couple of weeks away from first team action. Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves are still out injured.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">West Ham United, on the other hand, have had a disastrous start to their season losing to Aston Villa and Bolton in their opening two games. While a trip to Old Trafford is a daunting task in itself, Avram Grant would know that defeat in this game and with Chelsea and Tottenham to come as their next two opponents, the season for his team could well be rolling in the opposite direction.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Grant is hopeful on the return of Matthew Upson after the captain was substituted with a facial injury against Bolton last week. Victor Obinna might get his first game for the Hammers after <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/8949880.stm" target="_blank">joining the club this week on loan.</a> Carlton Cole, Robert Green and Kieron Dyer are set to return after being rested for their Carling Cup match against Oxford. Midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger is still out with a thigh injury.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">Probable Starting Line-ups:</span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><img style="border: 0px initial initial;" src="http://this11.com/boards/12829395457576.jpg" border="0" alt="Football Fans Know Better" width="269" height="412" /> <img style="border: 0px initial initial;" src="http://this11.com/boards/1282942297582085.jpg" border="0" alt="Football Fans Know Better" width="269" height="412" /></p> <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">Key Match Facts:</span></strong> 1) United have won their last five matches against West Ham and scored fourteen goals in them. 2) Paul Scholes delivered 200 passes in the opening two games of the season, the highest in the league so far. 3) West Ham last won away from home on the opening day of the last season. <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">TheHardTackle’s PLAYER TO WATCH OUT:</span></strong> <strong>NANI (Manchester United)</strong> The Portugese would be determined to make amends for his penalty miss in the last game that proved costly for his team. West Ham might struggle to cope up with his trickery. <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/editorial/nani-manchester-united/image/8750939?term=nani" target="_blank"><img style="border: 0px initial initial;" title="Nani Manchester United 2009/10" src="http://view3.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/8750939/nani-manchester-united/nani-manchester-united.jpg?size=380&imageId=8750939" border="0" alt="Old Trafford Manchester United v Stoke City (4-0) Premier League 09/05/10 Nani (Manchester United) Photo Roger Parker Fotosports International Photo via Newscom" width="320" height="380" /> </a><em>Looking to overturn last week's disappointment </em></p> <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">TheHardTackle’s PREDICTION: </span></strong><strong>Man United 3-0 West Ham United </strong>The Red Devils will be looking to get back to winning ways. West Ham will find it hard to prevent United from winning the game comfortably.