West Ham's Slaven Bilic expects Manchester United backlash
Friday 11 March 2016 11:49, UK
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic expects a tough FA Cup test against 'wounded animal' Manchester United on Sunday.
Bilic is anticipating a stronger showing from Louis van Gaal's side, who go into the quarter-final clash at Old Trafford on the back of a 2-0 defeat by Liverpool in the Europa League.
"We are expecting a good Manchester United side to play in front of their own fans, and we are expecting a better performance from them," he said.
"Last night, it was not a game you can take as a normal game for United. It was intimidating for them and it is hardy to play that way. United are a wounded animal and we know what to expect on Sunday.
"They still had good spells against Liverpool and at home, they will be better. They had a great performance against Arsenal at home (on February 28). They are a massive club and have one of the biggest managers in the business."
The only previous meeting between the sides this season saw the Hammers come away with a point after a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford in December.
Despite expecting a difficult challenge, Bilic is hopeful of leaving Manchester with a positive result on Sunday.
"We want the game to start, and we are doing everything to reach Wembley," he added. "We are confident of getting a result on Sunday as we are playing well and have more options now as players are back from injury.
"We are going to one of the biggest stadiums and it will be very difficult. But we are very confident going into the game."
On Sunday, Bilic will be able to call on a number of players who have been confined to the sidelines in recent weeks.
Forward Victor Moses returns after two weeks out with a thigh strain, sustained during last month's 1-0 win over Sunderland, while Enner Valencia is back after suffering a foot injury against Norwich on February 13.
Right-back Joey O'Brien also returns to the squad, after missing over a month with a hamstring injury picked up in training.
Fellow-defender Winston Reid, out for four weeks with a hamstring problem, could figure at Old Trafford but James Tomkins and James Collins remain sidelined.
