Sir Alex Ferguson is unsure what reaction Carlos Tevez can expect to receive on his return to West Ham on Saturday, but the United manager feels the Argentine striker should command gratitude at Upton Park.

Tevez's goalscoring was an integral part of the Hammers' against-all-odds Premier League survival last term, and Sir Alex is hopeful that the Upton Park faithful recognise his services.

"When players leave a club and go back, they don't always get the reception they deserve when they go back," he told his pre-match press conference. "We've got Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick who'll probably be involved tomorrow too, and I don't think they get a great reception going back there. It'll be interesting to see.

"Deep down they must be thankful to him, because I think he kept them up last year, his performances were fantastic for them. There must be a grudging admiration for what he achieved at West Ham in a short period."

Tevez is set to start against his former side after being rested for the Reds' convincing 4-0 victory over Sunderland on Boxing Day. 

"We gave him a break on Saturday, it was a bit of luck for us that we didn't have to use him in the game," said Sir Alex. "He got a couple of bad knocks against Liverpool that he was carrying, just bruises really on his ankle and his knee, but after the Everton game we decided to freshen him up and I'm sure he'll be ready for tomorrow."