James Collins is hoping to build on the happy memories of his previous trip to Old Trafford as West Ham United face Manchester United on Wednesday evening.
Collins was one of the star performers in a memorable 1-0 win on the last day of the 2006/07 season that ensured West Ham United retained their place in the Barclays Premier League. One of the other heroes that day, Carlos Tevez, could line up directly opposite his former team-mate.
"It is my first game back there since [the victory in 2006/07] and I have a lot of good memories," Collins said. "It will be interesting to face Carlos [Tevez]. I haven't spoken to him myself since he left so it will be good to see him and catch up. Old Trafford is a great place to play but I am just happy to be playing for West Ham against anyone."
Collins returned to the first-team in the 2-0 defeat by Arsenal on Sunday and is expected to continue to deputise for captain Lucas Neill, who has not travelled due to a virus. The home side played some fantastic football against the Gunners and, despite the result, the No19 says there is a positive mood at Chadwell Heath ahead of one of the biggest tests of the season.
"Everyone is good. It is a case of being upbeat. We want to put things right. The gaffer has been saying we have got to keep playing the way we have been playing. We have not had a lot of luck and hopefully that will change on Wednesday. We have got to keep doing what we are doing and we will get the right results."
Few inside the Boleyn Ground would have guessed it was the centre-half's first start for his club since December as he was imperious in helping to keep Arsenal's strikers at bay until an unlucky own goal from Julien Faubert broke the deadlock on 75 minutes. "Obviously it was bad circumstances to come into the team with Lucas [Neill] being ill but I am delighted to get my chance and I am happy with the way I played."
West Ham United have enjoyed a good run against the champions in recent seasons, winning three of the last six and the Wales international sees no reason why that should not continue. He said: "It is another big game. We do all right against the big teams. We are looking forward to it. We put in a good performance on Sunday so if we can go and play the same sort of football I am sure we can come out of there with the right result."