Premier League preview: West Ham v Manchester United

West Ham must overturn English Premier League leaders Manchester United if they are to continue their climb away from the relegation zone.

After going unbeaten in their last four league matches, Avram Grant’s side have escaped the bottom three, albeit on goal difference only.

They managed an impressive 0-0 draw away to Tottenham Hotspur in their most recent outing and also secured impressive wins at home to Liverpool and Stoke City.

United meanwhile are five points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table.

They could only scrape a narrow 1-0 win at home to Bolton Wanderers last time out and are likely to have one eye on Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea.

Sir Alex Ferguson – whose side is fighting for trophies on three different fronts – is faced with a defensive crisis at a critical point in the campaign.

Rio Ferdinand may not return this season as he battles a calf injury and is joined on the sidelines by John O’Shea and Rafael.

Nemanja Vidic has also been troubled with a calf problem, but is in contention to return for Saturday’s match at Upton Park.

Northern Ireland centre-back Jonny Evans will miss the next three matches through suspension after being sent off against Bolton.

Further forward, Owen Hargreaves’ injury nightmare continues with a shoulder problem now ruling the defensive midfielder out of action.

Paul Scholes is suspended for the West Ham match, while Brazilian Anderson is in doubt with a knee injury.

In comparison, West Ham’s squad has a relatively clean bill of health.

Fringe goalkeeper Peter Kurucz and midfielders Jack Collinson and Junior Stanislas are set to miss out, while Frederic Piquionne could return from a foot problem.

United will be seeking revenge after losing 4-0 away to West Ham in the Carling Cup on November 30.

Ferguson’s side won the first league encounter of the season between the teams 3-0 at Old Trafford last August.