MATCH PREVIEW

Last updated : 29 March 2006 By Ed

Squads, courtesy of the Beeb:

Sir Alex Ferguson has drafted untested youngsters Markus Neumayr, Darron Gibson and Richie Jones into his squad.

Wes Brown (groin) is again missing, while Kieran Richardson (foot) is also absent after limping out of Sunday's win over Birmingham.

West Ham will check on the fitness of defender Anton Ferdinand who missed the wins over Manchester City and Wigan with a groin injury.

Christian Dailly (hamstring) and Roy Carroll (back) are still out.

Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Howard, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Pique, Silvestre, Evra, Ronaldo, Giggs, O'Shea, Park, Fletcher, Van Nistelrooy, Saha, Rooney, Rossi, Neumayr, Gibson, Jones.

West Ham (from): Hislop, Walker, Scaloni, Collins, Gabbidon, Ferdinand, Konchesky, Benayoun, Newton, Reo-Coker, Mullins, Etherington, Zamora, Harewood, Ashton, Sheringham, Katan, Clarke, Ward, Fletcher.


Fergie on Teddy:

"When he left Manchester United, I didn't think Teddy would still be playing now.

"In a way, it is not surprising because pace was never a factor in his game and he still has the same intelligence. But it is rare for any outfield player to play in the Premiership at 40 and you do need a bit of luck with injuries. I always felt Teddy was at his most dangerous when the ball was nowhere near him. He played in areas where it was really difficult to pin him down and his intelligence and use of space was so important to his game.

"He has two great feet and is a good header of the ball and has been handled really well by Alan Pardew this season. West Ham used him at the start, when he was still fresh and he could use his experience as they came into the Premiership because when you get promoted into this league, if you don't make a good start, you are dead."


Anton Ferdinand on prospect of facing his brother:

"Rio has been constantly asking me if I'm going to be fit enough to play. To be honest, I think he is as desperate for me to play as I am.

"There hasn't been much banter between us about the game because I wasn't sure if I would be fit to play, but I feel fine now and it would be great to play against him at such a magnificent arena.

"United look to be back to their best at the moment, but we can go up there with nothing to fear.

"We know that on our day we will give anyone a game, and we have proved already this season that we can win away from home against the top teams.

"We were unlucky to lose at home back in November and all the boys will be hoping to put that right on Wednesday night. If we stay focused and take the game to them, I'm sure we can get a positive result."


West Ham assistant manager, Peter Grant:

"It has been a long, hard road.

"The biggest thing for me is the strength the manager showed last year. He showed how he wanted to take this club forward and he has got his just rewards now.

"The work Alan put in last season, when he got a lot of criticism, has been the foundation for where the club is now.

"It has not just been the last couple of weeks of this season. The foundations began to be laid the moment he came in the door.

"It showed great character from him and now we are in this position we are getting some rewards from it."


Weather:

The BBC says it will be clear and 9°C at 7pm.