Team News:
Man United starting XI- Kuszczak, Fabio, Smalling, Vidic, Evra, Gibson, Carrick, Giggs, Valencia, Park and Rooney.
Man United subs- Amos, Owen, Anderson, Berbatov, Hernandez, Nani and Gill.
There was no Edwin Van Der Sar, who was being rested as a precaution ahead of Wednesday's Champions League match against Chelsea. Van Der Sar had been suffering from a slight groin strain.
The Game:
Chris Smalling had Manchester United's first opportunity, his header from Ryan Giggs' corner was pushed over the bar by West Ham keeper Rob Green.
West Ham were awarded a penalty in the 10th minute after the ball was handled in the area by Patrice Evra. Mark Noble converted the penalty and gave the home side the lead.
The Hammers had a 2-0 lead within 24 minutes after being awarded a second penalty. Nemanja Vidic was judged to have fouled Carlton Cole in the area, Noble stepped up again and scored his second penalty of the game.
Green preserved West Ham's 2-0 lead; Wayne Rooney found Ji-Sung Park but his 16-yard effort was turned away for a corner by the keeper.
Thomas Hitzlesperger could have given West Ham a 3-0 lead after getting on the end of a cross in by Gary O'Neill, but his shot was high and wide.
With only five minutes of the first half remaining, Vidic could have been shown a red card after hauling down Demba Ba. Vidic was the last defender but United keeper Tomasz Kuszczak would have beaten Ba to the ball, so he didn't deny West Ham a goalscoring opportunity.
Despite dominating play, Man United found themselves going into half time 2-0 down after two mistakes.
Sir Alex Ferguson made an immediate change for the second half bringing on Javier Hernandez for Evra. Hernandez had United's first chance of the second half, volleying wide only minutes in.
With United still 2-0 down the next substitution was Dimitar Berbatov on for Park.
Seconds after that substitution Man United were awarded a free-kick, which they scored from. Rooney took the free-kick, which curled past Green and gave United a lifeline.
Immediately after Rooney's goal, Carrick came close from a corner but his flick went inches over the crossbar.
Rooney scored his 100th goal for Man United and United's second goal of the game on the 73rd minute. Rooney received the ball from Antonio Valencia and fired the ball low and past Green.
Man United continued to attack West Ham's goal; Berbatov had a shot parried by Green and then had a penalty awarded in their favour. Matthew Upson was penalised for handball and Rooney stepped up and scored his hat-trick.
It was game over in the 84th minute after Hernandez scored his fourth. Berbatov found Giggs', his effort towards goal was poked in by Hernandez, which competed Man United's amazing comeback.
A bit late commenting on this but what a comeback and fully deserved imo. Ref got 2 decisions wrong imo but evened themselves out as they were penalties for both teams. West Ham's 2nd penalty was outside the box but what can you do, Man Utd's penalty although hand ball wasnt a penalty either it was more like ball hit hand from close range rather than hand hit ball but great piece of play by Fabio to keep the ball in when most would have let it roll for a corner.
The alleged Red card for Vidic, yes he was the last man but it wasnt a goal scoring opportunity, to me both players fighting for the ball but it went back to the goalie therefore nullifying the goalscoring threat.
Extremely pleased with fighting spirit yet again we showed as we have all become accustomed too. There were areas of concern but honestly at this stage of season ill take 3 points over a classy typical United performance.