Manchester United [Images] consolidated second place in the Premier League on Wednesday, the recalled Ruud van Nistelrooy [Images] scoring in a 1-0 home win over West Ham United.

The Dutch striker, back in the starting line-up after three substitute appearances, struck a typical close-range goal in first-half injury time to secure a deserved victory at Old Trafford.

"It was a very open game, both teams had a go and we played some fantastic attacking football," Man Utd manager Alex Ferguson told reporters.

"We should have had more goals but we collected another three points. The most important thing is we keep winning, and you never know where that will take us."

The victory gave Man Utd 69 points from 31 matches, nine points behind leaders Chelsea and five ahead of third-placed Liverpool, the Merseysiders having played one game more than Ferguson's men.

West Ham remain ninth, with their hopes of making next season's UEFA [Images] Cup now looking reliant on FA Cup success rather than a top-six finish. The Londoners play Charlton Athletic or Middlesbrough in next month's semi-finals.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

On a night when former Old Trafford employees Juan Sebastian Veron and Diego Forlan were going head to head in the Champions League quarter-final between Inter Milan and Villarreal, Man Utd's fans had to settle for less exciting fare.

Ferguson, absent from the knockout phase of Europe's top competition for the first time in 10 years, recalled Van Nistelrooy to a below-strength team and left the prolific Louis Saha on the bench.

Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and Gerard Pique also started as Ferguson rotated his squad with an eye on forthcoming games against Bolton Wanderers and Arsenal [Images].

However, the players on duty were good enough to see off a West Ham side who had picked up 2-1 away wins from their last two games.

The visitors made a positive start and had plenty of possession but Man Utd looked dangerous on the break.

West Ham goalkeeper Shaka Hislop saved well from Pique and Van Nistelrooy hit a post before United got the breakthrough.

South Korean midfielder Park Ji-sung did well to find Van Nistelrooy in the box and the Dutchman finished cleanly.

West Ham appeared to run out of ideas in the second half and Van Nistelrooy set up a good chance for Saha in the last minute that the French substitute missed.

"This is a big stage, they (Man Utd) have some very good players and we found them in good form so it was a tough ask for us," said West Ham manager Alan Pardew.

"Sometimes you have to have a little bit of devilment in your game. I thought we lacked that, not just individually but also as a team."

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