Curbs promises the Hammers will give it everything against United

8:46am Tuesday 29th April 2008

ALAN Curbishley has vowed to do pal Sir Alex Ferguson no favours when West Ham lock horns with Manchester United on Saturday.

United lead Chelsea on goal difference in a tense two-horse race for the Premier League title and, if they win both their remaining games, will be champions.

The first of those game is against the Irons at Old Trafford.

But Curbishley - a close friend of United boss Ferguson - will send out his strongest available side in a bid to get the points that would ensure a top half finish for the east London club.

"We've got our own situation to play for," explained Curbishley. "Its no good going upto Old Trafford and not doing it.

"As Alex knows, there are no gimmes. In the last couple of weeks they've gone to Middlesbrough and Blackburn and got a draw.

"Obviously its still in their favour in some respects - they've got us at home and then Wigan - but who knows."

A chronic injury crisis has left Curbishley without a long list of experienced players for much of this season.

Against United, it will be no different, and it is the back line that looks to be hit the hardest.

Danny Gabbidon, James Collins and Calum Davenport are all out for the season, while Matty Upson, Jonathan Spector and Anton Ferdinand are in a race to be fit.

That could again see 19-year-old James Tomkins keeping his place at the heart of the defence. But, with the England U19 international putting in another assured performance in the 2-2 draw with Newcastle on Saturay, it is something that does not worry Curbishley.

"Perhaps some players have only seen Old Trafford on the television might get a chance," he said.

"We've got a big stage to play on and one or two people in my team will come out of that with big experience from it."

A victory at Old Trafford on the final day of last season ensured the Hammers avoided relegation.

Then, of course, United had already wrapped the title.

"Last year was a different set of circumstances completely," said Curbishley.

"We've not got the pressure on us like we did last year but we want to finish the season as strongly as we can so we'll give it our best shot.

"They didn't have anything to play for and we had everything to play for - it has turned around now."

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