West Ham United vs Manchester United Summary
Manchester United won dramatically at the London Stadium as they came back to win on the road again against West Ham. United played very well in the first half and created plenty of chances but fell a goal down as they usually do on the road. West Ham had one big chance before their goal but this was almost out of the blue. Benrahma opened the scoring with an effort heavily deflected off Raphael Varane and West Ham opened the scoring as they did last season against United. However, unlike last season, United didn’t need changes to get back into the game. From a corner, Fred recycled the ball to Fernandes who clipped in a magnificent ball to Ronaldo who needed two bites at the apple but levelled the game. United kept pushing for the equaliser but characteristically waited until the second half to get their goal.
United created a lot of chances in the second half too, preying on the Hammers’ fatigue from Europa League football that has haunted United in recent years but a combination of Kurt Zouma and Lukasz Fabianski prevented United from taking a healthy lead.
Late drama takes the centre stage:
Manchester United found the lead courtesy of a wonder goal and one made by two of the United subs. Matic played a line-breaking pass to Lingard who cut in on his right and bent a beautiful effort into the top corner. It looked a certain win but with thirty seconds to go, West Ham were awarded a penalty after United were wrongly denied one at the other end. Yarmolenk attempted a cross that hit Shaw’s outstretched hand. While the ball was close to Shaw, his hand was far enough out that it was fair to award one.
Moyes decided against letting Rice take it and brought on Mark Noble to take the penalty against David de Gea who had failed to save his last 40 penalties. But, a miracle happened. Noble’s penalty was awful and David de Gea guessed right and palmed the effort wide of the goal and United won their fourth game of the season to go level at the top with Liverpool.
West Ham United vs Manchester United Conclusion
I don’t understand the criticism of United here. United played very well bar a couple of mistakes and a deflected goal and created enough chances to win the game three or four nil. The fact they got the winner late on means they got what they deserved from the game. Huge credit goes to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who changed things up at the right time and once again brought on subs that changed the game and result.
Controversy surrounded the game as Ronaldo was brought down three times during the game. The first one easily could have been given (especially since a similar challenge between Zouma and Pogba later in the game was given as a foul), the second was never one but the third was embarrassingly clear. Zouma brought down Ronaldo without getting any of the ball. I genuinely do not understand how at least one was not given and certainly that VAR did not see a clear and obvious error in any of them.
Regardless of these issues, United got the win they deserved and through a manner they are all-too familiar win. Now United prepare for the Carabao Cup tie against West Ham on Wednesday where the Hammers will want revenge and will have their main man, Michail Antonio, fully-fit and raring to go. It will be a difficult task for United but they have enough quality and depth to get a fresh and energetic team to win the tie.
West Ham United vs Manchester United Player Ratings
West Ham United
Lukasz Fabianski 8/10
Vladimir Coufal 7/10
Kurt Zouma 8/10
Angelo Ogbonna 7/10
Aaron Cresswell 5/10
Declan Rice 6/10
Tomas Soucek 5/10
Nicola Vlasic 4/10
Said Benrahma 6.5/10
Pablo Fornals 5/10
Jarrod Bowen 5/10
Subs
Andriy Yarmolenko 5/10
Manuel Lanzini 5/10
Mark Noble N/A
David Moyes 5/10
Manchester United
David de Gea 8.5/10
He made some good saves at important times in the game and was quick off his line for some of the crosses put in. But then the big moment. He made a crucial penalty save to earn the win for United. A huge moment for him in what has been a great start to the season.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 7.5/10
He played excellently and linked up well in attack whilst remaining very solid at the back. He could have given away a penalty and while I’m not too sure what Martin Atkinson saw to give a foul the other way, I am not fussed.
Raphael Varane 8/10
Made a crucial block to deny a certain goal after a mistake from Maguire. He made at least three more interceptions that stopped a dangerous attack and was simply unlucky with the goal.
Harry Maguire 6/10
Got caught out with a bad mistake but other than that was very solid all game. I expect more from him because that kind of mistake cannot keep happening. One positive is it was Varane that bailed him out.
Luke Shaw 6.5/10
A lot of the West Ham attacks came down Shaw’s side and he had an overlap with Pogba not always covering and dealt with them relatively well. Once again put in some excellent crosses but there wasn’t the right connections on the headers. He gave away a late penalty but Dave saved him as he did in 2014.
Fred 6/10
Gave the ball away in a bad position a fair few times but actually did play well in possession and was rarely pressed into a mistake. Wasn’t good but wasn’t bad either. Came off for Matic.
Scott McTominay 8/10
Back after a lengthy spell out and played phenomenally. Some superb passes and played well out of the West Ham press.
Mason Greenwood 7.5/10
Direct and barely lost the ball. Didn’t test Fabianski as much as he would have liked.
Bruno Fernandes 8/10
Picked out a wonderful pass to Ronaldo and was unlucky not to score in the first half. Played well and strung the attack together nicely. Looked tired late on and I hope he is rested on Wednesday.
Paul Pogba 7/10
Similar to Bruno. Played well in the first half but the 95 minutes in Switzerland affected him and he also looked tired in the second half. Came off for Lingard and I expect no more than a bench role tomorrow.
Cristiano Ronaldo 7.5/10
Big goal and a huge involvement. Should have won at least one but possibly two penalties. Made great runs and unlucky not to score more.
Subs:
Jesse Lingard 8/10
Game winner! Fantastic finish and great overall play. Good to see him back to his best!
Jadon Sancho 7/10
Looked in rhythm in the game and played some smart football at times. I expect he’ll start tomorrow to gain some time and confidence. Could be a big moment for him.
Nemanja Matic 7.5/10
Defence splitting pass to Lingard and overall played very well. Still has something to offer this team.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 8.5/10
Put out a strong team with an energetic midfield to combat West Ham’s flowing attacking lineup. Dominated the midfield and created a lot of good chances. Faultless lineup and once again got his team back in front from a goal down away from home. Superb subs to win the game and again, showed faith and confidence with players that were being slated left, right and centre just for both of them to win the game in opposite boxes. How’s that for man-management!
