HAMMERS have yet to beat Manchester United at home since the
Premiership began, but there have been some cracking encounters
between the sides, including seven draws. Three of them were 2-2,
and in two of those West Ham United battled back from 2-0 down
to equalize in the closing stages.
In 1996, in front of the Sky Cameras, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and David Beckham had put the Red Devils in command, and the points looked to be heading to Old Trafford before Florin Raducioiu struck a late goal to breathe new life into the game.
Man United were on the back foot, and in the final minutes Michael Hughes raced through, passed Peter Schmeichel, and was brought down by the big Dane - Penalty. Up steps Julian Dicks, and you know the rest.
Four years later Beckham and Andy Cole had seemingly put the game beyond West Ham, with a goal a piece, but Paolo Di Canio this time, struck late from the penalty spot. Alex Ferguson must have been fearing the worst, it and was confirmed with a minute to go when Davor Suker popped up at the back post.
As well as snatching a point from the jaws of defeat, Hammers also have a habit of scuppering United's title chances.
In 1992 Ferguson's side visited bottom of the table Hammers for their game in hand, to take three easy points and move above Leeds with only a few matches left. Kenny Brown thought differently however, freakishly side footing the ball in from outside of the box. West Ham won 1-0 and Leeds won the League.
The writing was on the wall again in 1995 when Manchester United came to Upton Park on the final day needing a win, and hoping Blackburn dropped points at Anfield.
It wasn't going to plan when Rovers took an early lead and Michael Hughes silenced United with a first half volley, but Liverpool and Brian McClair both scored to bring a smile back to Sir Alex's face.
One more goal was all they needed, but they didn't bank on the heroics of Ludo in goal. Hammers held out and won the league for Blackburn.
Jermain Defoe was the scorer, the last time the sides met at Upton Park canceling out Ruud Van Nistelrooy's strike in the 86th minute, and the year before Hammers lead twice through Steve Lomas and Freddie Kanoute, but eventually went down in a 5-3 thriller.
West Ham were victorious in the first ever meeting, in the FA
Cup in 1911.
Tommy Caldwell and top scorer Danny Shea both struck in a 2-1
win.
The biggest triumph over United was a 5-1 thrashing in 1930 courtesy of Jimmy Ruffell, Jim Barrett senior and a Vivien Gibbins hat-trick - Gibbins was the last amateur player ever to appear for West Ham United, the only one that season, and finished as top scorer!