Joe Cole sounded more like a schoolboy autograph hunter than a potential England player. "I hope I haven't got David into trouble," he said after persuading David Beckham to smuggle out his shirt. It will hang on Cole's wall, perhaps beside Posh Spice's new single.
If that was an endearing reminder that the hero-worshipped midfielder has football idols like any other teenager, his performance for West Ham confirmed he is no ordinary 18-year-old. Kevin Keegan would surely love it if Cole and Beckham were in his side soon.
The pair were, together with Paolo di Canio, the game's outstanding performers. After Beckham's brilliant free-kick and perceptive long pass had helped Manchester United to a 2-0 lead, Cole was instrumental in West Ham's deserved late comeback. He made a darting run that earned a penalty and then figured prominently in the move that led to Davor Suker's equaliser.
If it is players who can control a ball and keep possession that Keegan is after, he will hope Cole continues in this vein. Operating from his favourite position behind the front two, he was all quick feet, neat vision, impressive acceleration and balance.
Cole's words afterwards told of self-confidence but not of arrogance. He said he was no longer "in awe" of Beckham and Paul Scholes, nor should he be. The surge that was halted by Henning Berg, allowing Di Canio to score from the spot, showed a rare talent. Three minutes later he released Di Canio, whose cross was sliced by Mikael Silvestre and forced in by Suker's head.
It was the least West Ham deserved after dominating and, as is their wont, wasting chances. Ferguson did not begrudge them their first point after his side's patchy show and unusually human collapse. "We took our foot off the gas and were punished for it," he said.
The champions had looked vulnerable all afternoon, with Silvestre a liability at left-back and later at centre-half. Yet they still seemed set for victory when Beckham, who had curled in an early 25-yard free-kick, sent Ryan Giggs clear and Andrew Cole - playing alongside Teddy Sheringham in the absence of Dwight Yorke, who Ferguson confirmed had a toe injury - took a rare opportunity. West Ham's enthusiasm and attacking verve earned them the draw, albeit after Beckham twice hit woodwork in injury-time.
"This is the best team I've had at West Ham," Redknapp said. The table suggests as much only if looked at upside down but another teenage midfielder, Michael Carrick, looked assured and Redknapp said he turned down a £10m sterling offer for the injured Frederic Kanoute last week.
WEST HAM: Hislop, S Pearce, Stimac, Ferdinand (Bassila 68), Margas (Kitson 87), Lomas, Cole, Winterburn, Carrick, Suker, Di Canio. Subs Not Used: Bywater, Potts, A Newton.
MANCHESTER UTD: Barthez, G Neville, Stam (Berg 45), Silvestre, P Neville, Beckham, Keane, Scholes, Sheringham, Cole, Giggs. Subs Not Used: Van Der Gouw, Solskjaer, Wallwork, Greening.
