Match Report: West Ham United 2-1 Manchester United | OneFootball

Manchester United slumped to an embarrassing 2-1 loss to West Ham United on Sunday following a poor attacking display.

While Man United appeared to turn their fortunes around with a 2-1 win over Brentford last weekend, a 1-1 draw with Fenerbahçe in the Europa League has provided yet another knock to the confidence of the club’s frustrated fanbase.

United were almost off to a dream start as they embarked on a rapid attack. Alejandro Garnacho surged into the box, slamming his thunderous shot into the crossbar.

Erik ten Hag’s team looked comfortable on the ball in the minutes that followed, exhibiting some smooth passing around West Ham’s final third. It was just a stubborn defence that prevented than from creating any clear chances.

12 minutes in, Garnacho picked out Hojlund in the box, who, despite being marked, beat Max Kilburn and edged out a shot that the keeper was fortunate enough to be well-positioned to save. Bruno Fernandes followed up with a shot over the top. Some decent pressure from United in the early stages.

West Ham launched a sporadic attack 14 minutes in, with Lisandro Martinez doing well to clear a cross from former teammate Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Rashford seemed to beat the home side’s defensive line when he got on the end of a Fernandes’ through ball, however, goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski did well to dive on the ball in time to stop the danger.

In the 22nd minute, the home team were back on the attack, with Wan-Bissaka and Bowen exchanging a quick series of passes that sliced through United’s defence. Fortunately, Noussair Mazraoui cut out Bowen’s final cross towards the goal.

A half-hour in, Ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy were up in arms as Garnacho was taken down on the edge of the box by Konstantinos Mavropanos. While the offside flag went up at the start of Garnacho’s run, the referee booked the West Ham defender for his dangerous tackle.

Moments later, Fernandes sent a magical long ball toward Diego Dalot, who beat the last defender. As the keeper came out, Dalot beat him, with an almost open goal awaiting him. Shockingly, Dalot punted the ball over the top, wasting yet another prime scoring opportunity and silencing United fans across the board.

On the stroke of half-time, Christian Eriksen whipped in a lethal free kick; however, Casemiro’s glancing header was tipped over the top by an alert goalkeeper.

United appeared visibly frustrated as the half-time whistle blew. The team missed an array of easy scoring opportunities, showing just how substandard their finishing continues to be.

Just two minutes after the restart, Andre Onana collapsed after suffering a head collision with Antonio. While Altay Bayindir was warming up on the sideline, Onana managed to rise to his feet and resume the game.

While Eriksen curled in a threatening corner kick in the 58th minute, Fabianski did well to rise to the ball and punch it out of danger, putting an end to another period of pressure by United.

Before the hour mark, Marcus Rashford was taken off for Amad Diallo.

Michail Antonio caught the United defence off guard, threading a pass to Emerson who failed to connect with the ball. Had he been successful, it would have been a goal against the flow of play, showing how vulnerable United have been at times.

In the 74th minute, the home side broke the deficit. Garnacho’s pass was intercepted in the final third, with Bowen sending a ball across the face of goal to Danny Ings. While Ings missed his chance, fellow substitute Crysencio Summerville thumped the ball into the net, with the London Stadium erupting in excitement.

Yet again, United were left shellshocked despite dominating much of the match.

Garnacho sent a threatening cross into the box, however, the ball floated just over the head of Hojlund, allowing the keeper to make the save.

Joshua Zirkzee came on to replace Eriksen, adding some attacking firepower with just 11 minutes left of regular time.

On the stroke of 80 minutes, United found an equaliser. Dalot headed the ball to Zirkzee, whose header on goal veered wide. Fortunately, Casemiro was perfectly placed to thump a header of his own into the back of the net. It was a bit of attacking fortune for United as it appeared as if they appeared on course toward a disappointing loss.

In the 84th minute, Victor Lindelof came on to replace Mazraoui.

Two minutes from time, VAR was called into play as De Ligt crashed into Ings, bringing him down in the box as the home team were on the attack. Following a lengthy look at the VAR monitor, the referee pointed to the spot, granting a penalty to West Ham.

Immediately after, United appealed to the referee as there appeared to be a handball on Ings’ part. After a quick review, it was determined that the foul happened first, meaning the penalty decision would stand.

Jarrod Bowen squared up to the ball, thumping it inches past Onana’s glove into the bottom right corner to restore his team’s lead.

Following a chaotic match, a grandiose 12 minutes of added time were awarded, leaving ample time for more drama to ensue.

While United attempted several attacking build-ups during the first six minutes of stoppage time, they appeared just as toothless as they had been throughout the rest of the match, failing to threaten the West Ham defence in any way, shape, or form.

United kept up the attacking pressure, however, the home side’s defence refused to let up. Fernandes took a shot from distance that veered well wide, symbolic of United’s horrific attacking performance.

How long Ten Hag has left in his job is anyone’s guess, particularly after yet another unacceptable result.

Starting XI: Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Fernandes, Hojlund, Rashford, Eriksen, Garnacho, Casemiro, Dalot Subs: Amad, Zirkzee, Lindelof

Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images