THREE years after believing his first appearance in the FA Cup would lead to a successful career with Manchester United, Ritchie Jones will be looking to overcome Premier League opposition for the second time inside three weeks – with Hartlepool United.

Jones’ one and only outing in the world-famous competition for United arrived in the shape of a goalless draw at non-league Burton Albion, but this afternoon he will feel the romance of the cup from the other side.

When West Ham United arrive at Victoria Park, Gianfanco Zola will be hoping to ensure his team of millionaires avoid a fourth round cup exit, just as their top-flight rivals Stoke City did at the beginning of the month.

And to be experiencing the enjoyment of playing in a potential cup classic as the underdog is something Jones is relishing, suggesting that he is enjoying his first season away from Old Trafford after being released last summer.

“It is a bit weird at first going anywhere after United, but without doubt it is the best decision I have ever made to leave United and come to Hartlepool,” said Jones. “It has definitely been the best decision of my life. I have started to get my career going properly.

“I have lived by myself now for a couple of years and it makes you grow up and look after yourself.”

One thing he still hasn’t mastered, though, is his washing.

“Here, obviously, everything is very different compared to United,” he added.

“The facilities and the style of football they play are very different but I really believe it makes you better as a person not to take everything for granted.

“Here you wash your own kit. The only disaster I have had is my Hartlepool bobble hat which has shrunk in the wash.”

Jones, who hails from Stockport, captained the United Academy team, an honour that helped him earn international recognition from Under-15 through to Under-20, where he was part of an England squad that included Middlesbrough’s Andrew Taylor.

But Jones found it difficult to break into the United squad and was loaned to Colchester, Barnsley and Yeovil.

The last of his five United appearances came in a Carling Cup win at Crewe in October 2006.

Since signing for Hartlepool, however, he has become a mainstay of the team by performing on the right and in the middle, where he is likely to compete with former Newcastle ace Scott Parker today.

“At United I was always in the reserves and I played the odd game here and there,”

said the 22-year-old. “I don’t understand players who stay in the reserves and are happy with that. I just don’t get it.

“I want to play 30 or 40 games a season. I don’t want to look back and say I played in a reserve team. I don’t know what motivates people to stay in a reserve team, but I am not motivated by money.

“Chris Turner (Pools’ director of sport) brought me to the club. Last summer he said ‘do you fancy coming to the training ground and having a look’.

He was brilliant and I decided pretty much there and then I was coming.

“My dad was originally from these parts as his mum was from Newcastle, so there was a connection. As soon as I saw the place I wanted to come and so far it was gone as well as I could have hoped.”

Having helped Hartlepool to a memorable third round win over Stoke, Jones heads into today’s meeting with the Hammers in a confident and relaxed frame of mind.

“I could and should have scored in the last minute to win the game at Burton but it was a great save by the keeper and a fantastic experience for me,” said Jones.

“It is something I will always remember and I feel I gained a lot of experience from it, just playing in a Manchester United shirt. I managed a couple more games in the Carling Cup, but they were all a fantastic learning curve. You could say I am still unbeaten in the FA Cup.”