Skipper Reo-Coker, who has suffered a slump in form this season and has been linked with a move from the club, scored the only goal at Upton Park against the Barclays Premiership leaders.• 'That one's for Pards'
United's lead at the summit had been cut to two points following Chelsea's win earlier in the day, and they were denied by a polished performance from goalkeeper Robert Green.
Green kept the hosts in the game with a stunning save to deny Cristiano Ronaldo in the second half, and Reo-Coker's near-post finish meant a triumphant start to Curbishley's reign.
Curbishley, who grew up in nearby Canning Town, had promised to select his starting XI on what he had seen in training since his appointment on Wednesday.
As a result Carlos Tevez, the Argentina striker who has not broken his Hammers duck, was on the bench and there was no place for his compatriot Javier Mascherano in the squad.
Curbishley also stated he had not spoken to Reo-Coker about his role at the club, but the skipper weighed in with the goal that gives his side renewed hope as they battle against relegation.
Curbishley had not beaten United during his 15 years as Charlton boss, and the early signs were that the visitors were not in the mood to hand him a victory to complement the rapturous welcome he received before kick-off.
With Chelsea defeating Everton at Goodison Park earlier in the day, United knew they needed a win to keep the pressure on the champions.
Ryan Giggs had a shot blocked in the opening 30 seconds and Wayne Rooney volleyed over early on when Michael Carrick, the former Hammers midfielder, fed him the ball on the edge of the area, but the hosts weathered the early storm.
Half-chances went begging for United and the hosts almost snatched an early lead when Matthew Etherington was found in front of goal by Lee Bowyer with a cross from right, but the winger could not direct his header.
Marlon Harewood also fizzed a volley over the crossbar in the 17th minute as the hosts built a little bit momentum.
However, Hammers goalkeeper Green was forced to parry Louis Saha's low effort from the edge of the area after the France striker went on a run from the halfway line.
Green stopped Saha twice towards the end of the first half but none of the chances were as clear as the opportunity Bobby Zamora spurned just after the half-hour mark.
Jonathan Spector's long ball looped over Rio Ferdinand, Zamora held off the defender but Edwin van der Sar managed to claw his effort away.
United, who had full-back Gabriel Heinze booked in the first half, then went on the counter-attack but Green was equal to their effort on goal.
Ronaldo earned a free-kick three minutes into the second half and Green recovered after fumbling the 40-yard set-piece from the Portugal winger.
Ronaldo then came even closer. He was denied by a stunning save from Green in the 56th minute after he cut in from the left following a slack pass from Harewood which allowed Rooney to start an attack.
Paul Konchesky drilled an effort wide at the other end just before Zamora was replaced by Teddy Sheringham, a Champions League winner with United, in the 59th minute. Referee Phil Dowd then turned down two penalty appeals against Anton Ferdinand, the first for handball from Saha's cross and the second for a challenge on Nemanja Vidic.
Yossi Benayoun was brought on for the final 20 minutes, replacing Hayden Mullins.
Reo-Coker netted his winner with 15 minutes remaining, finishing at the near post after Harewood had held the ball up on the byline and squeezed his cross in.
'That one's for Pards'Nigel Reo-Coker dedicated his winning goal to Alan Pardew after the West Ham
captain's strike was sufficient to beat Manchester United at Upton Park.
Reo-Coker, whose slump in form this season has seen him linked with a move
away from Upton Park, scored the all-important goal with 15 minutes remaining,
finishing at the near post after Marlon Harewood had held the ball up on the
byline and squeezed his cross in.
Pardew was sacked as Hammers manager on Monday with Reo-Coker coming in for
criticism from disgruntled fans as some blamed the midfielder and his lack of
form for the former boss's exit.
When asked what he would say to Pardew, Reo-Coker told Sky Sports: 'That one
is for you gaffer.
'I can't put it into words. It has been such a stressful week - not just for
me but the squad.
'Personal things, I've had to deal with a lot this week.'
The 22-year-old admitted his form had been directly linked with Pardew's
departure, saying: 'Some people have come to that conclusion, it has been very
difficult for me.'
Alan Curbishley succeeded Pardew as Hammers boss on Wednesday and Reo-Coker
revealed the former Charlton manager had wanted the team to revert back to what
brought them such success last season.
He told Sky Sports: 'Curbs has stamped his authority and he wanted us to get
back to basics.
'It's a tremendous win for us, especially with Manchester United at the top
of the table, and we needed that ourselves and we need to push on from there.
'We knew it would be a very difficult game. We knew we had to match them for
hard work and enthusiasm.'
Curbishley had never previously triumphed over Sir Alex Ferguson as a manager
and he relished claiming three points as the Hammers attempt to stave off
relegation.
He said: 'To get the win over Manchester United anyway. After yesterday's
results we were desperate.
'We set off with a lot of enthusiasm and one or two of them were getting
really tired.
'It was a tough second half but the goal gave us that little bit of a
lift.'
The former West Ham player admitted the current squad had to face their
critics, saying: 'There has been a lot of criticism of the players and they've
got to answer that and be confident and come out and face the music.
'I came in and had the first training session on Friday morning and they
responded and we've got something to build on now.'
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believed his team deserved something from the game
but blamed poor finishing.
He said: 'We played some fantastic football but our finishing could have been
better - we had some fantastic opportunities.
'We didn't deserve to lose but we have to gather ourselves and start another
charge - we have got to show our mettle.
'That's the true mark of champs and we've proved it in the past.
'Two fantastic strikes won the game for them (Chelsea) out of nothing,'
added Ferguson, referring to Chelsea's 3-2 win at Everton.
'It's been a very important day for Chelsea and it's not been a great day for
us - but the championship race is not going to be decided in December.
'There are a lot of important games to come and I'm happy with the form of my
team - they are playing well.'
As for West Ham, Ferguson added on Sky Sports: 'If they play like that every
week they won't be in that position.'
West Ham United 1 - 0 Manchester United
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