United aiming to bounce back in the league after Liverpool horror show

Manchester United will be hoping to take the momentum gained from Wednesday evening’s Champions League last sixteen second leg victory over Olympiakos when they travel to West Ham United in Saturday’s late kick-off in the Premier League.

Top scorer Robin van Persie could feature despite being stretchered off at Old Trafford midweek, while Jonny Evans is also pushing for a return after missing almost two months through injury.

Chris Smalling and Nemanja Vidic have groin and hamstring problems respectively, with the latter also suspended following his dismissal in last weekend’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, while the game will come too soon for Nani, though he could return from his hamstring injury against Manchester City on Tuesday.

Three points for David Moyes’ men will see them close the gap on fifth place Tottenham Hotspur, who host Southampton on Sunday afternoon, while the Scot’s former club Everton in sixth host Swansea City on Saturday.

Though many believe the reigning champions’ chances of finishing in the top four are over, a slip up from City against Fulham at the weekend, coupled with a victory for United will make Tuesday’s derby at Old Trafford very interesting.