Wayne Rooney produced his own David Beckham moment to put Manchester United on course for an impressive victory at West Ham, firing home one of the most memorable goals of the season from 58 yards.
Returning to league action after progressing to the Champions League quarter-finals with a fine victory against Olympiacos, the England international netted twice as David Moyes' men proved Wednesday's result was no flash in the pan.
Rooney's second saw him move onto 212 goals and usurp Jack Rowley as the third highest goalscorer in United's history, but it was his first just eight minutes into the 2-0 victory that will live long in the memory.
The 28-year-old produced a moment of magic, sending the ball sailing over Adrian in a goal similar in audacity and skill to Beckham's wonder strike at Wimbledon in 1996.
Unbelievable: Wayne Rooney scores from just inside West Ham's half after seven minutes
Goal from nothing: Rooney hits the ball from 57.9 yards to score the opening goal at Upton Park
Spectacular: United team-mate celebrate the opening goal with Rooney in the early stages
Double up: Rooney slots home United's second after a defensive mishap from West Ham
On the road: Moyes's won their third consecutive away game for the first time this season in the league
Match facts
West Ham: Adrian 6, Demel 5.5, Collins 6, Tomkins 5.5, McCartney 5.5, Taylor 5 (Nocerino 82), Nolan 6 (C.Cole 73 - 5), Noble 5.5, Diame 5 (Jarvis 58 - 6), Downing 6.5, Carroll 6.5
Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Reid, Armero, J.Cole
Booked: Collins, Taylor
Manchester United: De Gea 6.5, Rafael 5.5, Jones 6.5, Carrick 6.5, Buttner 6.5, Fletcher 7.5, Fellaini 7, Young 6.5, Kagawa 7, Mata 7 (Welbeck 78), Rooney 8.5 (Hernandez 77)
Subs not used: Lindegaard, Evra, Nani, Cleverley, Januzaj
Booked: Rafael
Goals: Rooney 7, 33.
Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)
Man of the match: Wayne Rooney
*Ratings by Jack Gaughan at Upton Park
Rather aptly, the former United midfielder was at Upton Park to witness the effort first-hand and will have been impressed by the way Moyes' side held on to condemn West Ham to a third successive defeat.
Rooney's display was certainly a timely shot in the arm for United, with Robin van Persie facing up to six weeks out with a sprained knee.
His enforced absence was one of the six changes from the midweek win over Olympiacos, with the visitors impressing from the outset in east London.
One of those brought in, Marouane Fellaini, came close to putting the visitors ahead inside three minutes, powering a header goalwards only for Andy Carroll to hack off the line.
Moyes' side continued in the ascendancy and were almost then gifted a goal as Shinji Kagawa collected a miscued Tomkins pass, allowing the Japan international to thread through Juan Mata.
Adrian did well to stop the midfielder's strike but could only watch helplessly as Rooney netted his contender for goal of the season.
Having outmuscled James Tomkins, Rooney turned and hit a half-volley which sailed over Adrian and into the net from fully 58 yards.
Have a go: Rooney attempts an audacious volley from 50 yards in the opening minutes
Way out: Rooney lets fly, and the ball finds its way into the back of the net
Misjudged: Goalkeeper Adrian looks on in vain as the long range shot from Rooney goes over his head
Beckham, watching on from the Upton Park stands, smiled wryly at the goal so similar to his own famous strike, which West Ham tried to chalk off immediately.
Mohamed Diame saw a drive blocked by Alexander Buttner, before Andy Carroll powered a header straight at David de Gea moments after glancing a Kevin Nolan free-kick wide.
Diame lost his footing just before getting a shot away as the home side continued to press, although they were leaving themselves open at the back.
Bizarre: Adrian was misguided by the trajectory of the ball, but Rooney's effort was spectacular
Stumped: Adrian looks dejected after the ball somehow found its way in the net
Remember me? Beckham, who scored a similar goal against Wimbledon in 1996, reacts to the goal
Long-range: Rooney's effort from 57.9 yards looped over Adrian and into the net
Back then: Beckham's goal in 1996 enabled him to burst onto the scene having made his debut the year before
When United next attacked Adrian had to be alert to deny Kagawa directing in a Mata through-ball, before the Spaniard stung the palms of the West Ham goalkeeper after wriggling free.
The visitors did not have to wait long to double their advantage, though.
As Nolan fumed at having a penalty appeal rejected by referee Lee Mason, United countered at speed with Rooney playing the ball right to Ashley Young.
The returning winger burst forward and sent in a low cross that Mark Noble could only hack into the path of Rooney, who easily directed home in the 33rd minute.
Comfort zone: Rooney makes it 2-0 to United on 33 minutes at Upton Park
Brace: Rooney wheels away in celebration as Mark Noble looks on
Sliding in@: Marouane Fellaini is tackled by Andy Carroll during the first-half
Thumbs up: Rooney put in a supreme performance for David Moyes's men at Upton Park
Diving in: West Ham United's Matt Jarvis is tackled by Manchester United's Alexander Buttner
The goal moved him third in United's all-time scorers list and he attempted to add to that haul before the break, although failed with three efforts at a hat-trick.
The Hammers returned from the break impressively and, after Young saw an effort saved at the other end, Diame had a strike blocked as West Ham attempted to carve open United's defence, which was holding firm despite Michael Carrick playing as a makeshift centre-back.
The England midfielder did well to head away as Tomkins lurked at the back post, before left-back Buttner failed with an attempt at the other end.
From the wing: Shinji Kagawar attempts to put in a cross under pressure from Matthew Taylor
Knocked off: Juan Mata looks composed on the ball as Mark Noble attempts to close him down
Twisted: Kevin Nolan turns with the ball under pressure from Darren Fletcher in the second period
Tussle: Alex Buttner prepares to challenge Mohamed Diame in midfield
Closing down: Kevin Nolan (left) challenges Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher
West Ham brought on Carlton Cole with less than 20 minutes remaining as they continued to pump balls into the box, while United made changes of their own, including the withdrawal of Rooney.
The England forward was given a loud ovation by the travelling faithful and a hearty round of applause by Beckham, while his display will have also pleased the watching Roy Hodgson.
Rooney's replacement Javier Hernandez would have added a third had Kagawa not sent a cross over the unmarked forward's head, while Fellaini unsuccessfully claimed a late penalty as Moyes' side secured a third successive away league win.
Eyes on the prize: George McCartney and Ashley Young compete for the ball in the first-half
Foot in: George McCartney (right) challenges Manchester United's Ashley Young
Picturesque: A rainbow is seen over a grey Upton Park in east London
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