Following emotional introductions by Sir Trevor Brooking and Sir Bobby Charlton, there had been a minute’s applause to mark the passing of former United favourite Best, who died on Friday.

While all at Upton Park joined in as one to take the chance to pay their respects in an impeccable manner, West Ham had no time for sympathy on the pitch, as the hosts stormed in the lead after just 52 seconds.

However, following their slow start, United grew in confidence and it was no less than they deserved when Rooney fired the visitors level two minutes into the second half, before John O’Shea’s header turned the match around before the hour mark.

United rarely looked like surrendering their hard-earned advantage, and continued their climb up the Barclays Premiership table into second place as a result, with a third straight league win.

Such a positive outcome had, though, looked uncertain when United found themselves behind after less than two minutes.

Matthew Etherington scampered away down the left wing, and to the edge of the area.

His low ball in behind the defence picked out the advancing Harewood, who had timed his run to perfection, and he beat Edwin van der Sar from close range with an instinctive low strike.

United, though, slowly started to build pressure, seeing plenty of the ball in midfield.

And the visitors almost drew level on 11 minutes, but West Ham ‘keeper Roy Carroll – who left United last summer – got down well to block Ruud van Nistelrooy’s effort from 12 yards.

Northern Ireland international Carroll again had to produce a fine reaction save, this time low to his left, as he flicked Paul Scholes’ angled drive just past the far post after a knockdown from Ji-Sung Park.

West Ham, however, looked dangerous on the counter-attack.

They were awarded a free-kick in a central position, around 19 yards out, after Mikael Silvestre had pulled back Harewood. It was well struck by Yossi Benayoun, and the ball spun just wide after a deflection off the wall.

Then, on 22 minutes, Rooney collected a pass into the 18-yard box and spun his marker Danny Gabbidon, which forced Carroll into another smart save.

Silvestre then almost gifted possession to former United striker Teddy Sheringham, but the French defender recovered to hack clear.

It proved to be his last contribution as Gary Neville was introduced on 35 minutes for a first Premiership appearance since the end of August, with Silvestre – not appearing to be injured – heading straight down the tunnel.

United came out in determined mood following the restart, and were level inside two minutes.

Tomas Repka’s attempted clearance from the edge of a crowded penalty box was deflected back towards his goal.

Park was first to the loose ball, and played in Rooney.

The England striker turned Gabbidon inside out, before dispatching a low drive past Carroll from 10 yards for his fifth league goal of the season.

United were soon pressing for another, and Rooney could have added a second goal but for missing his kick when the ball broke to him in front of goal.

It was, however, not long before the United fans were celebrating again on 56 minutes.

Another foraging run and shot from Rooney forced a corner on the right.

His delivery went deep across the six-yard box. Carroll came to claim the high ball, but O’Shea produced a towering leap to beat the ‘keeper and power a header into the net.

West Ham appealed for a foul on their number one – but the goal stood.

To their credit, Alan Pardew’s men tried to raise their own game again.

United, however, were in full flow, with Rooney running the home back four ragged.

After a poor clearance, the England striker again looked to latch onto a loose ball, only to be tugged back by Hayden Mullins – right on the 18-yard line.

The free-kick was wasted, however, as Scholes could only drive it into the wall.

With 20 minutes left, Van Nistelrooy’s 10-yard chip, struck on the turn, came back of the underside of the crossbar.

Five minutes later West Ham finally made progress, with Harewood getting in on the overlap down the right. But his low, angled drive from just inside the box was well held by Van der Sar.

With eight minutes left, Rooney then lost his cool for a moment as he tussled with Anton Ferdinand on the edge of the box. He kicked out for a loose ball and caught the Hammers defender on the back of the calf, which earned him a yellow card.

Rooney, though, could have capped an inspirational display with a second in stoppage time, but his near-post flick flew just wide of the far corner.