Allardyce wary of United despite European ordeal
WEST Ham boss Sam Allardyce has warned his team not to expect a fatigued Manchester United when the stuttering Premier League champions visit Upton Park tomorrow.
United summoned a huge effort to overturn a two-goal deficit and progress past Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday night, but Allardyce insists David Moyes has a deep enough squad to cope with facing his relegation battlers less than 72 hours later.
“David’s got so many players to choose from that fatigue won’t come into it for them,” he said.
“We’ll have to be at the top of our form. Talent can always come out and deliver at any time. They’re probably more dangerous when not doing so well than when they’re on the crest of a wave.”
Moyes looks likely to be without striker Robin van Persie, whose hat-trick ensured their place in today’s European quarter-final draw before being carried off, although United hope the Holland star will recover for Tuesday’s derby with Manchester City.
The under-pressure manager has been warned off making another raid on former club Everton, however, after Toffees boss Roberto Martinez insisted full-back Seamus Coleman would not be following midfielder Marouane Fellaini – and Moyes – to Old Trafford.
“He’s becoming an important player, we want Seamus to stay for a long time,” said Martinez, who refuted suggestions United had made a bid. “It must be a different Seamus Coleman because we’ve not had a conversation with anyone.”
DRAW LINE-UP
Atletico Madrid
Barcelona
Bayern Munich
Borussia Dortmund
Chelsea
Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain
Real Madrid
Draw to take place at 11am British time followed by Europa League draw