WEST Ham midfielder Mark Noble has admitted that he expects title favourites Manchester United to overcome the Irons at Old Trafford on Saturday.

But the 20-year-old, who enjoyed one of the finest games of his career as the Hammers beat the Red Devils on the final day of last season to stay in the Premier League, insisted he would be giving his all to stop them.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side sit top of the Premier League, ahead of Chelsea on goal difference with two games remaining.

And although Noble admits the leaders are hot favourites to overcome Alan Curbishley's men - and the Blues to win at Newcastle United - the England Under-21 star is adamant it will not be easy.

"You expect them both to win their last two games. We go into the game as massive underdogs as they have to win but we're going to go there play our best, try hard and enjoy the day," he said.

West Ham have won their last three matches against Manchester United, and Noble believes the Irons have developed a knack of over-coming the Premier League's top dogs in recent seasons.

"We beat United at home this season with two late goals and we beat them home and away last season," he observed.

"At Old Trafford we got absolutely peppered on the day and they did everything but score. We did it at Arsenal as well - we held them off for a 1-0 win - I don't know how we did it but we did and it's a credit to us."

However, Noble admitted that last season's 1-0 triumph at the Theatre of Dreams - secured through a first half goal from Carlos Tevez, who later joined United - came on the back of a run of six wins in eight matches.

This time around, West Ham have won just one of their last six games while the Reds, who will welcome back Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic from injury, won through to the UEFA Champions League final by beating Barcelona on Tuesday.

"We needed to win that game (Old Trafford match). We had nothing else in our minds," Noble added.

"We were coming off a great run so we were confident and there was a little bit something extra about us in the sense that we needed to win.

"They need to win this time so it could be a good game."

l WEST Ham defender James Tomkins and striker Freddie Sears have been called into the England Under-19 squad for the European Championship final qualifying round in Belarus.

England will take on Poland and Serbia in Borisov on May 26 and 28 respectively before heading to the capital Minsk to face Belarus on May 31.

Should England progress, the finals will take place in the Czech Republic between July 14 and 26.