Coming into the game, Manchester United must have known that it was going to be a tight game against West Ham United. It was Jesse Lingard’s late winner that had handed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side the win and all three points at the weekend. There was no such heroics this time around though as the Red Devils failed to find the back of the net and were knocked out of the League Cup in the third round itself after a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford against David Moyes’ side.
It must be said that Manchester United’s start in the Premier League has been great as they sit at the top of the table along with Chelsea and Liverpool, all on 13 points, although those two sides have a better goal difference. But they have lost both of their Cup ties this season till now.
The Red Devils are without a trophy in four seasons now and thus, every competition is an opportunity for them to end that streak. As a result, getting knocked out from the League Cup, especially at such an early stage, will be a massive disappointment.
Many fans will raise questions regarding the future of Solskjaer as the manager of the club once again, as their search for silverware under the manager continues.
Solskjaer made Manchester United selection mistake
Solskjaer named a completely different side for this game, most probably as one would expect in the third round of the League Cup. But this time around, things just quite didn’t come together.
There were too many players on the pitch who had not played much football this season and some who had either returned from loan or arrived this summer. Things just did not click. There were some good performances in the midst but at the end of the day, a cup elimination will always be disappointing.
Perhaps Solskjaer could have played a couple of first-team regulars. Yes, West Ham United played a very different starting XI as well, but for them, it appeared to gel together better.
Maybe Solskjaer could have brought on the substitutes a bit earlier as well. What is done is done though. Now, the focus will shift towards the Premier League once again, where things have looked a lot more positive for Manchester United lately.