The new Hammers boss will remain true to his philosophies of entertaining, attacking football despite the recent defeats to Arsenal, Hull and Bolton.

Zola takes the view that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger - and he is convinced West Ham will emerge from their run a better team as a result.

He explained: "We respect Manchester United but we do not fear them. It is a difficult moment for us, but from these times good teams come out.

"I feel really bad about it. I have never seen a team play so well but get no points from three matches.

"I know in football things can change very quickly, so we just need to keep our game right and then everything will be better. We feel we will go there to play our own game and to win."

Zola denied he was putting style before substance and insisted West Ham will not change their ambitious approach in order to spark that change in fortune.

He explained: "The type of football we are playing suits the team very well. We just have to accept that sometimes you have bad moments which just do not go your way.

"On another day, Craig Bellamy would have scored in the first half against Arsenal and Julien Faubert could have left the ball to run out (instead of turning it into his own net).

"You have to be strong and to believe that is the right way, to make it work. That is what I am going to be telling the players.

"It is a good starting point, to be playing well, because then results will be a consequence. That is my philosophy, and I will pursue it."

Zola will have to reshuffle his strike-force after Carlton Cole was sent-off in the closing minutes against Arsenal, while Dean Ashton is a long-term injury casualty and new arrival Diego Tristan is not expected to be match fit.

That leaves Zola without a natural target man and could prompt a switch in formation from the 4-3-3 he brought into the club.

Much of the focus will be at the back, where West Ham have now gone 21 games without keeping a clean sheet - but Zola is not concerned.

England goalkeeper Robert Green was in inspired form against Arsenal while Wales international centre-back James Collins made a commanding return to the side after nine months out with knee ligament damage.

Zola added: "If you analyse the matches, the defensive part of the game was not that bad.

"In general I am happy with the way the defence is working. We are going to be all right. I am 100% convinced about this.

"We know that we have a few problems, but we are going to be sorting them out for sure."