WEBMASTER'S COMMENT

"The only thing to take from this match was that Dwight Yorke played for the first time as a Manchester United player. Utd should have won a penalty but the ref dismissed the claim"

MATCH REPORT

By Frank Malley, PA Sport

The jeers, as expected, were all aimed at David Beckham. But this was a match which was also notable for its absence of cheers. Certainly none were earned by United's £12.6million new boy Dwight Yorke whose contribution was virtually nil as he struggled to come to terms with the pace of United's football.

There were no Tobago sunshine smiles from Yorke who looked somewhat overpriced on this display which was bereft of craft or guile. Indeed, Yorke had just one chance in the whole match when he swivelled on a loose ball in the penalty area early in the second half only to see his crisp shot easily blocked.

But Yorke should not shoulder the whole blame for this sterile United performance which did nothing to suggest they will be regaining their lost Premiership title come May. When former United boss Tommy Docherty first saw Yorke play in the top flight he remarked that he didn't look a First Division player and he may be right if Yorke's form does not significantly improve.

The whole United side, however, were struggling from a lack of creativity and composure and, most importantly, a cutting edge. That is why United boss Alex Ferguson has splashed out on Yorke but his problems still clearly go deeper as he brought off strike partner Andy Cole midway through the second half to be replaced by Teddy Sheringham.

None of which is to belittle a West Ham display which without the spark of the injured Ian Wright still provided United with a string of questions. To be fair, playing flowing football in the tense and intimidating atmosphere which was Upton Park this afternoon was almost impossible.

The tone was set from the moment the Manchester United coach inched its way to the main entrance at Upton Park to be met by a seething mass of some 500 fans. One spectator hurled a bottle which smashed into the window of the United coach where Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt were sitting.

Others rained stones down on the vehicle as it tried to negotiate the narrow streets, which were packed with police reinforcements including six mounted officers and several dog handlers. And all this to protect one 23-year-old England footballer whose only misdemeanour was to get sent off in a World Cup match against Argentina seven weeks ago.

The scenes outside the ground went a long way to explain the yobbish malaise which is so often at the heart of English football.

"Whose the father of the child," they chanted, in reference to the news that Beckham's girlfriend Victoria Adams, AKA Posh Spice, had announced she was three months pregnant just 24 hours earlier.

"We hate Beckham," and "You let down your country," were other mindless offerings, though thankfully there was no organised protest inside the ground. The plan had been to wave 10,000 red cards at Beckham but as it was there was not a red card in sight.

There was a yellow one, however, after just two minutes when West Ham striker John Hartson crunched United full-back Gary Neville from behind. It set the tone for a match which was long on steel and short on style.

Indeed, the most significant moment of the whole match came in the third minute went United should have been given a penalty. Giggs floated over a cross which looked bound for Andy Cole's head until it was hooked clear by the arm of West Ham defender Neil Ruddock.

United's appeals were turned down by referee Peter Jones and Ruddock later admitted he was fortunate not to be punished.

"I was lucky, I got away with that one," said Ruddock, who apart from that incident dealt with admirably with United's attack all afternoon.

He and the splendid Rio Ferdinand had few problems. And that really is the main indictment of a United side whose main striker Yorke cost £3million more than the entire West Ham team.

Roy Keane is clearly far from his best after a year out of action, Nicky Butt has bite but little beauty and Beckham's strength was clearly sapped by the hostile occasion. United, in fact, barely had a chance worthy of mention in a first half for which you could say the same.

West Ham, however, can delight in the return of Hartson, their big strong, swashbuckling striker who came in for the injured Ian Wright and was a constant threat all afternoon. He sent one blistering header flashing over Peter Schmeichel's crossbar in the second half and United defender Ronny Johnsen was so troubled that he was booked for pulling back Hartson when he was clean through on the United goal.

United boss, Alex Ferguson, showed his concern when he threw on Teddy Sheringham for Cole in the 69th minute and, to be fair, the England striker gave United some semblance of creativity. He might even have snatched an undeserved victory for them in the 74th minute when a typical stinging shot flew just over Shaka Hislop's bar and in the 86th minute he went even closer with a header after arriving late at the near post.

But the overall impression left was of a United side desperately struggling to reach the heights of 12 months ago even though Ferguson has spent the thick end of £30million to re-enforce his side.

POST MATCH REACTIONS

West Ham manager Harry Redknapp admitted Manchester United had been robbed after the 0-0 draw at Upton Park. Redknapp agreed that United should have had a penalty when Hammers defender Neil Ruddock handled the ball in the box in the third minute.

Ruddock's arm clearly hooked the ball off Andy Cole's head from a dangerous cross by Ryan Giggs. But referee Peter Jones waived away United's furious appeals and Redknapp admitted: "It was a penalty, a clear case of handball. The referee did us a favour there."

Ruddock also agreed that United should have been awarded a spot-kick.

"I was lucky, I got away with that one," he admitted.

Redknapp added: "I am happy with the point because we ran out of steam in the end. Razor did well, he was outstanding for us. People underestimate him but he defended for his life today. I was pleased for him."

David Beckham received the expected hostile reception from the West Ham fans following his sending off for England against Argentina in the World Cup. He was booed every time he received the ball.

And Redknapp said: "He doesn't deserve to get this stick but then Manchester United always get stick here."

Redknapp also revealed that John Hartson, who was booked after just two minutes for a foul on United full-back Gary Neville, was only passed fit to play 90 minutes before the kick-off.

"He had an injection and we decided to risk him," said Redknapp, who had lost new striker Ian Wright with an injured knee yesterday. "Wrighty got a knock in training with one of the kids and he was touch and go," said Redknapp. "I thought it was a very harsh booking on John and I thought they made a meal of it."

United boss Alex Ferguson, meanwhile, declined to talk to the Press and ordered his players to keep silent. But he must have had much to occupy his mind this weekend after a sterile performance in which his new £12.6million signing Dwight Yorke was virtually anonymous.

United have now taken just two points from their first two games as they strive to regain the lost Premiership title. West Ham, however, have four and Redknapp said: "If you had offered me that at the start I would have snapped your hand off."

TEAMS

West Ham United: Hislop, Ruddock, Ferdinand, Pearce, Lomas, Lazaridis, Lampard, Impey, Berkovic, Hartson, Sinclair.
Subs: Abou for Berkovic

Manchester United: Schmeichel, G Neville, Irwin, Johnsen, Berg, Butt, Keane, Beckham, Giggs, Yorke, Cole.
Subs: Sheringham for Cole, P Neville for G Neville

Referee: P Jones