Alan Curbishley knows the "whole world will be watching" when West Ham United head to Old Trafford this weekend looking to match last season's sensational away result.
On the last day of last season, West Ham United won 1-0 and his squad are determined to rise to the occasion yet again. The travelling party will be boosted by the fearless attitude of youngsters James Tomkins, Jack Collison and Freddie Sears - all of whom will be itching for a first run-out at the famous old stadium - while Scott Parker and Mark Noble will look to develop their burgeoning midfield partnership and Dean Ashton has three goals in his last six appearances
The manager is hoping Julien Faubert will be available after he was replaced at the end of last week's 2-2 home draw with Newcastle United. "He came off with a tight hamstring on Saturday," Curbishley said. "That is why he was substituted right near the end but we are hoping he will be available." He will definitely be without Freddie Ljungberg, who cracked a rib last time out. "We think he is probably out for about four weeks ... we don't see any complications. He should be OK [for Euro 2008]. He is obviously in a position that he can't do too much at the moment. He is going to go out to Sweden once he is OK just to let them have a check up on him."
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Faubert and Ljungberg were key to last weekend's lightening start when "we produced some of our best football". Curbishley added: "Both wide men were enjoying themselves. It was quite exciting for us the way we were performing." Acknowledging his frustration at being forced to rethink his lineup again, Curbishley said there was no room for dwelling on those not present. "The whole world will be watching the game on Saturday. We have got to go there and put on a performance and show what we can do.
"The players have done fantastically well to get where we are and we want to stay there ... We want to secure that top-ten finish. We want to do well. We want to go there and let people know who we are." Such a statement of intent would give the squad a lift going into the final game of the season at home to Aston Villa on Sunday week and then into the summer when optimism will naturally be high for the new campaign. "I am just hoping that we get most of them fit for the pre-season and when we turn up back here it is like I have four or five new players."