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West Ham would have won the Premier League if they kept hold of their famous academy graduates from the ‘90s, according to former manager Harry Redknapp.

The Hammers produced a number of world-class stars who went onto reach dizzy heights in the game; with Chelsea legends Frank Lampard and Joe Cole and Manchester United icons Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick all plying their trade in the youth setup at Upton Park.

Jermaine Defoe and Glen Johnson, who enjoyed stellar Premier League careers, were also products of Tony Carr’s much-celebrated academy.

(Image: GETTY)

Manchester United’s ‘Class of 92’ are arguably the most successful batch of academy graduates of all time, nevertheless.

David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville all went onto become legends at Old Trafford, winning silverware aplenty under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Yet Redknapp, who managed West Ham from 1994-2001, believes the east-London outfit’s own homegrown stable was on a par with United’s.

(Image: AFP)

“People always talk about Manchester United producing the class of ’92 but they weren’t any better than the six boys we produced at West Ham,” he told The Athletic.

“If you put those two groups of six against each other, there would be nothing in it.

“Ferdinand went on to win championships, Frank Lampard won everything, Cole won everything and Michael Carrick won everything.

“Then you have Glen Johnson who won Premier League titles and Jermain Defoe who had a terrific career.

(Image: GETTY)

“If the kids had stayed at West Ham what a team that would’ve been. That would’ve been six England internationals in one team.

“That was the difference. Manchester United kept their youngsters and that’s what enabled them to become a great team.

“If I kept those six players together I’m certain I would’ve won the Premier League.”