While Manchester United rarely appeared as though they were going to mount a serious challenge for the league title during the 1970s and the 1980s, they did often make an impact in the FA Cup.

They were winners in 1977 and 1983, as well as beaten finalists in 1976 and 1979.

So, when they played host to West Ham United in the quarter-finals of the competition back on this day in 1985, confidence was high at Old Trafford over the team's chances of reaching another final.

It was a particularly special tournament for United's Norman Whiteside, who had found the net as an 18-year-old two years earlier as the Red Devils lifted the trophy at the expense of Brighton & Hove Albion at Wembley.

The Northern Irishman would go on to star in this tie, but it would be his teammate Mark Hughes who broke the deadlock during the first half.

Paul McGrath crossed from the right for the centre-forward and having taken a couple of touches, he then powered in his 17th goal of the season.

The visiting Hammers rallied, though, and were level soon after when Paul Allen's cross from the right flank was slashed into his own net by retreating United defender Graeme Hogg.

However, it would be United who would take the lead into the break thanks to Whiteside. West Ham failed to clear Gordon Strachan's corner and when the ball was headed towards goal by McGrath, Whiteside was on hand to divert it into the roof of the net from close range.

He then added his second and United's third of the afternoon in the 74th following after a lofted through-ball from Hogg. Having held off his marker, Whiteside was able to fire into the bottom corner of the net with his weaker right foot.

Winger Allen reduced the arrears six minutes from time, but it was Whiteside who had the final say in the 88th minute. Strachan was brought down inside the area and, despite being Ron Atkinson's usual taker of penalties, he passed on the duty to Whiteside, who duly completed his hat-trick from the spot.

Speaking recently to United's official website, Belfast-born Whiteside, who also scored the only goal of that year's final against Everton, recalled: "The FA Cup remains very special to me. I didn't score that many goals in my career but, in 1983, I found the net in both the semi-final and the final.

"This was the 1985 quarter-final and, of course, I hit the winner at Wembley against Everton too. It's nice to be remembered because it's a fantastic competition, recognised worldwide, and I'd dreamed of playing in it and scoring as a kid."

MAN UNITED: Bailey; Gidman, Hogg, McGrath, Albiston; Duxbury, Strachan, Whiteside, Olsen; Hughes, Stapleton

WEST HAM: McAlister; Stewart, Walford, Martin, Orr; Brush, Allen, Pike, Dickens; Goddard, Cottee