FA Cup: Manchester United entertain West Ham in third round replay

Manchester United and West Ham meet in an FA Cup third round replay, with a home date against Fulham awaiting the victors.

There was to be no separating the two sides during an initial meeting at Upton Park, with Robin van Persie snatching a late leveller for United in a 2-2 draw. The Red Devils take each competition they enter seriously, with Sir Alex Ferguson a coach who demands success, and they will be looking to go all the way to Wembley. United have, however, gone six years since they last graced an FA Cup final, and nine since they last lifted the trophy. West Ham will be determined to see that barren run stretched on Wednesday, with the Hammers looking to make their way into round four. Sam Allardyce's injury-ravaged squad could do without the extra games, but fresh faces will be drafted in during the January transfer window to help manage the workload.Wayne Rooney is set to return to the Manchester United starting line-up at Old Trafford. Rooney has recovered from the knee injury he suffered in training on Christmas Day and is likely to be among a number of changes for the Red Devils. Nani is fit again after spending two months out with a hamstring problem but Ashley Young (knee) and Johnny Evans (hamstring) both miss out. Nemanja Vidic (also knee) is expected to be fit, but may not be risked. West Ham manager Allardyce has only three fit defenders to choose from, so may opt to change his system as Joey O'Brien (hamstring) and George McCartney (knee) are definitely out, but midfielder Mohamed Diame is available again. Striker Marouane Chamakh is ineligible for the cup competition due to the terms of his loan from Arsenal, while Allardyce is still deciding how best to integrate new signing Wellington Paulista. Andy Carroll continues to nurse a knee problem and fellow frontman Modibo Maiga is away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Mali.