West Ham test will show our mental strength – Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson has warned Manchester United’s Premier League rivals that his side are mentally tough enough to survive any test on the road to a third successive title.

Ferguson’s team are in pole position to retain the English crown after a run of seven successive victories, but the champions face a fixture that has often proved uncomfortable for them on Sunday when they travel to West Ham.

Something about United has become a red rag to the Upton Park faithful and Ferguson knows only too well that his players can expect another fire and brimstone reception in London’s East End this weekend.

It is the sort of tricky fixture that can trip up even a team with United’s pedigree and experience.

The Hammers have sent United home empty-handed from their last two meetings at Upton Park, while Ferguson can still barely bring himself to recall the occasions in 1992 and 1995 when bad results at West Ham cost his side the title.

Yet Ferguson is convinced United’s resilience is such that they can cope with anything West Ham or anyone else can throw at them.

“I don’t know why there is an extra intensity to the West Ham games when we go down there,” Ferguson said.

“I was talking to (former West Ham manager) Alan Pardew and he said it was the one game the West Ham fans really get revved up for, even more than Arsenal and Tottenham.

“It doesn’t bother me. It is a part of life. You go to Anfield and Everton and passionate clubs like Newcastle and Sunderland and there is nothing wrong with passion.

“It doesn’t affect the result. You need mental strength to be successful at this club.

“You can see that in a lot of the players. They know how to deal with most things.”

Despite the hostile reception lying in wait for them, United’s remarkable defensive record of 12 consecutive cleansheets guarantees they will travel to London in confident mood.

There could be another landmark for United keeper Edwin van der Sar, who broke the English record for minutes without conceding a goal against Everton last weekend.

The Dutchman, with 1,122 minutes unbeaten to his name, now has the 1,196-minute British record held by Chris Woods in his sights.

If United carry on like that there is little chance they will need to emulate last season’s final day title-winning heroics, but Ferguson insists there is every chance Liverpool or Chelsea will push his side all the way again.

“You have to put your mind to the possibility that the title could go down to the last few games,” Ferguson said. “I expect the worst and hope for the best.”

England striker Wayne Rooney is likely to be on the bench on Sunday after a hamstring injury. As if that wasn’t daunting enough for West Ham, United’s record-breaking defence will be bolstered with Patrice Evra and Wes Brown back from injury.

That won’t discourage Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola, who could hand a debut to midfielder Radoslav Kovac following his loan move from Spartak Moscow, and the Italian believes he has spotted chinks in United’s armour.

“I watched some videos of United and spotted some things that can be good for us,” Zola said.

“We give them a lot of respect but we can cause them problems. Everyone has weaknesses and it’s up to us to exploit that. We are very confident right now.

Bouyed by the prolific form of Carlton Cole, who has scored six times in his last eight games, West Ham have gone on an eight-match unbeaten run and Zola sees no reason why his striker can’t continue that streak against United.

“Carlton’s attitude has changed. When he was at Chelsea he was very young and it was difficult for him to get a chance,” Zola added.

“Now he has realised he has a big opportunity. He needed to become more convinced about himself and become a problem for the opposition. He is getting better and better.”