On an emotionally-charged night in east London it looked as though Anthony Martial’s double had ruined the Hammers’ party, but late headed goals from Michail Antonio and Winston Reid secured the win that almost took the roof off the old stadium.

But West Ham United’s Boleyn Ground farewell party turned sour before kickoff overnight, Australian time, when Manchester United’s team bus was attacked by bottle-throwing home fans, causing a 45-minute delay to the kickoff.

Huge crowds, many without tickets, congregated outside the stadium for the sell-out Premier League clash, West Ham’s final home game before moving to the 60,000-seat Olympic Stadium after 112 years at Upton Park.

Man Utd’s team bus became bogged down within sight of the stadium in Green Street where West Ham fans began pelting the windows with bottles and glasses while a smoke canister was also set off, adding to the chaos.

The visiting side’s blacked-out coach suffered minor damage with at least one window shattered.

Police eventually managed to escort the Man United squad to the entrance less than an hour before the scheduled kickoff, which was delayed by 45 minutes.

“It wasn’t nice, the coach got smashed up,” said captain Wayne Rooney.

Man Utd manager Louis van Gaal, whose team went on to lose the game 3-2, looked visibly shaken by the incident as he walked towards the dressing rooms.

“The way we have been received is not the proper way of course,” the Dutchman said. “That makes all the influence on the players and that is a pity.”

There was little sympathy for Man Utd from West Ham’s co-chairman David Sullivan.

“I think the police and officials have been kind, I would make them kick off at 7.45 if it was up to me. Manchester United know the score, they should have been here at four o’clock,” he said.

London’s Metropolitan Police said in a statement that one officer and a member of the public sustained minor injuries but no arrests were made.

The Football Association announced that it would launch a full investigation.

“The FA strongly condemns the unsavoury incidents this evening,” it said in a statement.

West Ham have played at the 35,000-capacity Boleyn Ground since 1904 but will begin next season in the Olympic Stadium after agreeing a 99-year lease.

A special farewell party was held after the final whistle.

Before kickoff a marching brass band played the traditional football hymn Abide With Me while images of the club’s favourite son, England’s 1966 World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore, were displayed on video screens.

So desperate were some West Ham fans to attend the historic fixture there were reports of tickets being sold online for STG2,000 ($A3,922).

On the pitch, West Ham went ahead in the 10th minute when Diafra Sakho swept the ball home.

Martial turned the game on its head with two cool finishes in the 51st and 72nd minutes.

Just as it appeared United were heading for the top-four, Antonio headed in Dimitri Payet’s cross before Reid beat keeper David de Gea from close range.

Manchester United must now beat Bournemouth in their final game on Sunday and hope Manchester City lose at Swansea City to secure a berth in next season’s Champions League competition.

-Reuters