MANCHESTER United and Arsenal are probably the last two teams West Ham want to play as they go in search of valuable points - but that is the task that faces them.

A visit to Old Trafford on Saturday, followed by a home fixture next weekend against the Gunners, is likely to prove as hard a test as ever.

And whilst Glenn Roeder is not yet admitting things are reaching crisis point, the popular myth that it is a good time to go to Old Trafford is unlikely to trick him into thinking that his players are in for an easy ride.

Talking exclusively to the Guardian this week Michael Carrick said: "Everyone is aware that they aren't playing to their usual standards, but you can be sure they won't play that way for the complete season.

"Sooner or later someone is going to be their whipping boys and we've just got to make sure it is not us."

He added: "We beat them in the FA Cup last year when no-one thought we had a chance, so we know we are capable of beating them.

"All the lads are up for the game and the spirit is brilliant. We've definitely got the players to beat United and get back up the table, and I'm sure we can do both."

As our print deadlines restrict us from knowing the score in last night's home match against Aston Villa, the match at United will be vital, even if the Hammers produced a win.

After their successful run of three straight wins Roeder's side have found themselves back on a run the other way, which included another defeat on Saturday at Sunderland.

And the manager will certainly be hoping he can pair-up hamstring injury victims Frederic Kanoute and Paolo DiCanio up front for the United game.

Talking to me after the Sunderland game, Frenchman Sebastian Schemmel said: "If we had won here, then nobody would have said anything, but because we have lost again people will want to put us under pressure.

"There is no point panicking yet, because we still have very big players to come back from injury.

"I still think that we have a very good chance of winning something and I don't see any reason why we shouldn't get into Europe.

"I know there is still a very long way to go and we have a very good team."