Why we have cup history with the Hammers

There has been plenty of drama, controversy, action and goals over the years in clashes between the Reds and the Hammers.

Indeed, our latest meeting in the competition came on the way to lifting the trophy in 2016, the last time we got our hands on the silverware. Jesse Lingard, who scored the winner against Crystal Palace in the final, is currently on loan at West Ham, of course, but is ineligible to play in Tuesday's fifth-round game.

We've taken a look at some of the highlights from the past...

THE FIRST TIME

The east Londoners came out on top in the opening FA Cup tie between the sides, way back in February 1911. Sandy Turnbull's strike proved in vain at Upton Park, as Danny Shea and a late Thomas Caldwell effort knocked the Reds out in the third round. Unlike in the modern competition, Ernest Mangnall's top-flight side had already won two ties to get to that stage, however, and they would go on to land the Division One title by beating Sunderland on the final day in April.

SEMI-FINAL SORROW

The only last-four clash with West Ham ended in disappointment in 1964 at Hillsborough. Denis Law netted for the holders but Ronnie Boyce (2) and Geoff Hurst scored the goals that set up a final date with Preston North End. A 3-2 victory for Ron Greenwood's men ensured a first triumph in the competition for the capital club.

HAT-TRICK HERO

Only one man has scored a treble in an FA Cup game between the clubs – Norman Whiteside in 1985. Mark Hughes was the other Reds marksman in a 4-2 victory with Whiteside, playing in midfield, earning the match ball with an 88th-minute penalty. Frank Stapleton is the only player to net in more than one contest involving the two clubs in the competition (1983 and 1986). Steve Coppell was also on target in the 1983 tie – he would manage Crystal Palace against us in the 1990 final.

HOME DISCOMFORTS

West Ham left Old Trafford with consecutive cup victories after a 15-year gap in the sides being drawn with each other. Geoff Pike and a Ray Stewart penalty earned a shock 2-0 win for the visitors in a 1986 replay before a 1-0 triumph in 2001 that many people might remember thanks to Paolo Di Canio's winner. The Italian ignored United keeper Fabien Barthez's attempt to distract him by raising his hand to signal that the flag was up and stroked the ball home. A young Michael Carrick was in the Hammers side. The Reds finished the clash with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Teddy Sheringham, Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole all on the pitch.

THE TIDE TURNS

While West Ham may have had some famous moments in the past, things have gone very much in United's favour since that 2001 defeat. The 6-0 home thrashing in 2003 featured doubles for Ryan Giggs and Ruud van Nistelrooy, with substitute Solskjaer completing the rout after Phil Neville also got in on the act. Carrick was part of the Hammers' team again and David James, who was on the losing side against Alex Ferguson's Reds for Liverpool in the 1996 final, kept goal.

ROBIN RELIANT

It would be 10 years before the sides were paired together again and there was late drama at Upton Park. Two James Collins goals overturned Tom Cleverley's opener and looked set to take the home side through, particularly when Giggs spurned a chance in the dying seconds. However, seconds later, the Welsh maestro then conjured up an incredible through ball that allowed Robin van Persie to force a replay. Wayne Rooney's early effort completed the job in the replay at Old Trafford.

RASHFORD RASPER

After a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, with Anthony Martial cancelling out Dmitri Payet's goal with only seven minutes left, most people were tipping the Hammers to prevail in the replay in their final season at Upton Park. Louis van Gaal's charges had other ideas with young Marcus Rashford bending an absolute beauty into the top corner. Marouane Fellaini doubled the lead and, despite James Tomkins pulling one back, the Reds recorded a fine win on the road.

LUCKY OMEN?

So United have beaten West Ham three times en route to lifting the trophy – in 1983, 1985 and 2016. Here's hoping that can be the case again in 2021, particularly after we knocked Liverpool out in round four.

UNITED'S OVERALL FA CUP RECORD WITH WEST HAM

Played: 12
Won: 5
Drawn: 3
Lost: 4
Goals For: 21
Goals Against: 15

Buy United Review, the official matchday programme for the FA Cup fifth-round tie with West Ham.