Andy Carroll is expected to remain sidelined until the end of January so Carlton Cole is likely to continue in attack for West Ham.

In the absence of Mohamed Diame, Matthew Taylor could feature again in midfield, although Jack Collison is also available. George McCartney is the only other absentee, with James Collins and Kevin Nolan set to return after suspension.

Sir Alex Ferguson will rest Michael Carrick and Patrice Evra, and Robin van Persie is likely to join the experienced duo on the sidelines. Wayne Rooney is injured, leaving Danny Welbeck and Chicharito as the 71-year-old’s other available strikers.

Tom Cleverley and Shinji Kagawa are in line for starts in midfield, while Nemanja Vidic and Chris Smalling could step up their returns from injury. The match will likely come too soon for Phil Jones, and Nani and Anderson are also injured.

• After guiding them to promotion from the Championship, Alan Pardew took West Ham to the FA Cup final in 2006. They lost a dramatic encounter to Liverpool, however, and Pardew was sacked the following season.

• It is often suggested that Sir Alex would have been sacked had Manchester United not secured the trophy that year, but the Scottish boss has claimed that his position was safe.

• Manchester United will be looking to balance the head-to-head record between the two clubs in this competition at Upton Park on Saturday. West Ham currently boast four wins to Manchester United’s three, with the sides having drawn once. The visitors are 7/1 to beat the Hammers 2-1 with bet365.