Sir Alex Ferguson orders Manchester United to 'have a go' at the FA Cup

United entertain West Ham at Old Trafford tonight

Sir Alex Ferguson has ordered Manchester United to “have a go” at the FA Cup.

United entertain West Ham at Old Trafford tonight hoping to book a last-32 clash with Fulham.

It would take them a small step closer to glory in a competition they have won a record 11 times, but not since 2004, meaning only Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher have winners' medals, along with Robin van Persie, who was introduced as a late substitute when Arsenal beat United in the 2005 final.

"We want to try and have a go at this FA Cup," Ferguson told MUTV.

"We haven't had a run for a long time, two or three years, and we have had some bad draws.

"We're at home tonight and we have got to take advantage of that.

"If we get through, we have got another home tie so there's a big incentive for the club to make sure we get through."

Skipper Nemanja Vidic is expected to sit the game out after suffering concussion in Sunday's win over Liverpool.

Johnny Evans continues to nurse a hamstring strain, whilst Ashley Young is kept out by a knee injury, even if Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed the damage sustained in a collision with Daniel Agger at the weekend is not as bad as first feared.

"Young has got a dull knock, a little bit of a strain on the knee, but it's nothing serious," said Ferguson.

"I think he'll be back next week. Maybe not for Tottenham on Sunday but, the week after, he should be okay."

On the positive side, Wayne Rooney and Nani will return after their absences.

Rooney has not been seen since suffering a knee injury during training on Christmas Day, meaning he has not had chance to erase the memory of an awful performance at Swansea.

Since then Van Persie has added another six goals to his tally, Javier Hernandez three and Danny Welbeck picked up man-of-the-match honours against Liverpool.

Clearly then, Rooney cannot endure a sluggish return from injury, as has been the case on too many occasions for Ferguson's liking.

"Wayne coming back is good news," said Ferguson. "He's been training for a week and looking good."

Nani has been out for over two months and with speculation about his future beyond the end of the season remaining intense, he also needs to make an impact following a brief break in Dubai.

"Nani came back from his spell abroad and is really looking very good," said Ferguson.

PA