West Ham United vs Manchester United - Foxes loss has not dented our belief - Randolph

Posted Monday, January 02, 2017 by PA

West Ham goalkeeper Darren Randolph insists the Hammers' confidence remains intact ahead of their clash with Manchester United.

They host United on Monday after Saturday's 1-0 loss at Leicester ended a three-match winning streak.

Defeat at the King Power Stadium halted their mini revival, which had moved Slaven Bilic's side eight points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.

But Randolph, who was beaten by Islam Slimani for the winner at Leicester, is ready to start another run.

"If we'd won, I'd have said we'd 100 per cent have turned the corner, because it would have put a little bit of extra space between Leicester and us and the other teams below us," he said, speaking to the club's official website.

"It would have been four wins in a row, but it wasn't to be so we'll regroup and get ready for the next one.

"It was a tough start to the season, but the last few results obviously helped us a bit, so we go into the new year and will start fresh and push on again."

The Hammers could be without Mark Noble after he was forced off at Leicester following a tackle from Daniel Amartey.

They face United for a third time this season after a 4-1 EFL Cup defeat and a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford and defender Aaron Cresswell believes they can topple Jose Mourinho's side.

"It is a game we are looking forward to and we want to take all three points," he said.

"We know it is not going to be easy as they have some of the best players in the world, but we just want the three points and we are going to work hard to do that."

Midfielder Mark Noble was forced off after a strong tackle in the game at the King Power Stadium and and boss Slaven Bilic admitted he is likely to be a doubt for the visit of the Red Devils.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is frustrated with the Ivory Coast after they refused to delay Eric Bailly's African Nations Cup departure by 24 hours.

Bailly returned to the starting XI in Saturday's 2-1 win over Middlesbrough and Mourinho was hoping he would be available to take on West Ham as well.

That could not happen without the consent of his national side, who are preparing for the tournament in Gabon, and coach Michel Dussuyer was not willing to take the risk.

United should not be harmed in the short term, with Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo ready to restore their successful partnership after being rested for the New Year's Eve victory and Chris Smalling also fit, but Mourinho is concerned about a lack of numbers at the back.

"Bailly is leaving - he goes to the national team," said a clearly disgruntled Mourinho.

"He has to be with them on 2 January. We asked them for him to be on 3 January but they refused, so he cannot play against West Ham.

"With these kind of decisions they are controlling every second, so for sure they are going to win the African Cup.

"I know I lose Bailly for a month so I'm going to have Smalling, Rojo, Jones...three players for eight matches."

Michael Carrick has a chance of returning in midfield after missing the win over Middlesbrough with illness but Wayne Rooney is unlikely to be back from thigh trouble.