Hammers boss backs his players to put on a show at United

3:36pm Thursday 1st May 2008

ALAN Curbishley reckons his West Ham players will be looking to "show the world what they can do" against Manchester United on Saturday.

The Irons travel to Old Trafford for the televised lunch-time game with little to play for other than securing tenth spot, while the Red Devils desperately need three points to move to within just one victory of retaining their Premier League title.

That has made Sir Alex Ferguson's men red-hot favourites to win the game.

However, Curbishley insists his side are desperate to extend their winning run over United to four games and, as such, will not be going to the Theatre of Dreams to roll over.

"The whole world will be watching the game and we've got to go there and put on a performance and show what we can do," he said.

"It's uncanny how it's worked out so similar to last year, but the tables are turned somewhat."

Curbishley (pictured) and his team have come in for some heavy criticism in recent weeks following a run of poor displays.

But he rubbished claims that the players have already packed up for the season and are only looking to hang on to a top-half-of-the-table finish in order to pick up bigger bonuses.

"I came out with that (bonuses) as just one of the reasons why we hadn't stopped this season," he said.

"We'd been accused of packing up and going on holiday and all that sort of stuff and it was a bit frustrating when some of the comments came out.

"The situation we've been in has seen at least six or seven first teamers out injured every week.

"I think the players have done fantastic to get where they are and we want to stay there.

"We want to secure that top ten finish and also go there and do well and let people know who we are, because that game will be going all over the world."

Early team news ahead of the clash sees Curbishley without Freddie Ljungberg and Julien Faubert, who were both injured in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Newcastle at Upton Park.

Swedish international captain Ljungberg broke a rib after a clash with Toon defender Steven Taylor, while French winger Faubert tweaked a hamstring.

Defender Matthew Upson (calf) and Anton Ferdinand (hamstring) are also still out, although the latter is in light training and could return for the final day fixture with Aston Villa next week.

Around the site