Skipper Nemanja Vidic is desperate to pull Manchester United over the line for a 20th league title, starting with a win at West Ham.
Vidic’s season has been plagued with injuries but the Serbian centre half has made a timely return to fitness for the Old Trafford outfit’s run-in.
The Red Devils sat 15 points clear before the derby defeat to Manchester City, but a win at Stoke has the 31-year-old brimming with confidence again.
“You think you’re almost there but you have to win the games,” he told MUTV. “Winning at Stoke helps us build up the confidence and a few players had a great game – people like Antonio, Wayne and Robin.
“Stoke is always a difficult place to go to but we fought for every ball, played some good football and, in the end, I think we deserved to win.
“It was physical. You know they’re going to get the ball to the forwards, they’re good at set-pieces, and they’re going to challenge defenders.”
A victory at Upton Park against Sam Allardyce’s physical Hammers side would leave United needing just four points from five games to secure the Premier League crown.
And Vidic believes their weekend win against the Potters was a perfect dress rehearsal.
“Now it’s West Ham and we have to play well again,” he added. “They play in a similar style to Stoke – we’re going to have long balls and set-pieces to deal with.
“It’s important for players like this to be in good form for the games to come.”
Picture courtesy of Austin Osuide, via WikiCommons, with thanks
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