West Ham 2 Man United 2: Andy Carroll plays down David De Gea clash

Andy Carroll moved to play down his collision with David De Gea after the striker’s man-of-the-match display helped West Ham earn a point against Manchester United.

Carroll clattered into the goalkeeper just before half-time as the pair tussled for the ball from a West Ham corner, with the England striker also taking out Patrice Evra in the process.

And Carroll told Sky Sports: “It was just a bit of friendly banter between me and Wazza [Wayne Rooney] and then I just went for the ball and went through De Gea.

“I went for the ball, that’s all it was. I was running to try and get the ball and the keeper’s come and won it. I couldn’t stop when I was flying though the air.”

Champions elect United were twice forced to come from behind to earn a point against Sam Allardyce’s men at Upton Park.

Ricardo Vaz Te’s header was cancelled out by Antonio Valencia’s tap-in, before Mohamed Diame put the Hammers 2-1 up in the 55th minute.

Robin van Persie then netted a controversial equaliser, with replays showing that the United striker was a yard offside when he turned home from close range after Shinji Kagawa’s shot bounced off both posts.

“It was a tough game all the way through,” Carroll added. “We had our chances and it could have gone either way but we worked hard and we’ve come away with what I thought we deserved.

“It was a tough battle and enjoyed every minute of it, getting stuck in, getting a few elbows and getting a few… it’s all part of the game and I enjoyed it.”

Carroll, who is on loan from Liverpool, admitted he has enjoyed his spell in east London. He added: “I’ve loved every minute of it. All the lads have been great and the fans have been excellent.”