West Ham United 2 1 Manchester United Player Ratings: VAR Disgrace, Wastefulness and more misery

West Ham United hosted Manchester United in a clash many fans cheekily dubbed The “Sack Derby”. Erik ten Hag made three changes to the United side that only managed a draw in their midweek Europa League tie against Mourinho’s Fernabache. Hojlund started his second consecutive Premier League game, Matthijs De Ligt was reinstated into the starting XI. United Skipper Bruno Fernandes also returned to the starting XI after serving the first game of his three-match European suspension.  

On the other hand, Julien Lopetegui slightly altered his characteristic 4-3-3 system, opting to play two holding midfielders in Edson Alvarez and Guido Rodriguez instead of the single pivot we’re more used to seeing him employ. The Hammers were also without Mohammed Kudus, who served the first of his three-match ban following his sending-off away at Tottenham the weekend prior. The Ghanaian winger was replaced by Carlos Soler, who filled in for him at right wing.

The game started as anticipated; West Ham tried to assert their dominance early on through possession, playing out from the back to bypass United’s press. Julen Lopetegui’s men fell into one of United’s many traps for the first attempt on goal in the contest, with Alejandro Garnacho agonizingly striking the upright from a United turnover in Hammers territory. From then on, one-way traffic remained against the home side for the remaining 45 minutes. On numerous occasions, the visitors successfully got in behind a seemingly switched-off West Ham backline, including Diogo Dalot's horrific miss, which he managed when he was played through on goal by his skipper Bruno Fernandes. The Dalot miss was merely a selection from a catalogue of missed chances for the Red Devils in the first half. Manchester United came close again shortly before the halftime whistle went. Lukasz Fabianski, this time the hero, sprung to deny Casemiro’s header from dangerously close proximity acrobatically. A save that complimented the one he made minutes earlier when United struck the upright for the second time from a corner deflected away by Fabianski’s fists. The first half ended at a goalless stalemate, which was shocking considering the number and quality of chances United was presented with. 

The second half opened with Lopetegui, who made three changes and was understandably disappointed with his side’s uninspired first-half display. For the opening 15 minutes, it looked like the changes were beginning to take effect; Crysencio Summerville’s trickery helped him find a Michail Antonio in space, who, in turn, placed his curled effort just wide. West Ham’s big number 9 continued how he started the second half, outpacing Lisandro Martinez before pulling the ball back to the penalty spot for ex-Chelsea man Emerson Palmieri, who could not convert with his right foot. The attempt signified to everyone in the London stadium that the opener was coming closer. Some more good link-up between substitute Summerville and Antonio continued to pose problems for United’s defence.

However, the Jamaican striker was eventually taken off without a goal in the 70th minute for his fellow countryman Danny Ings. The substitution proved effective, as the veteran frontman made an almost immediate impact with his mishit attempt, setting the ball up perfectly for Summerville to slide in at the far post. The two subs had successfully combined for the opening goal, leaving Manchester United supporters bitter-mouthed by the repercussions of their earlier missed chances.

A response was needed from the visitors and they did not disappoint. Seemingly rejuvenated by the concession, United began seriously testing Fabianski for the first time in the second half, forcing West Ham’s Polish goalkeeper to concede consecutive corners, the latter of which resulted in a Casemiro goal from around the same area in the box where Fabianski earlier denied him in the first half. The Pole couldn’t do much about the subsequent effort, though, as the Brazillian midfielder answered the prayers of United Supporters by delivering the equalizer. Casemiro’s vital strike set the game up for an eventful conclusion.

Spaces began opening up as the two sides scrapped for a late winner. Coming toward the end of the tie referee David Cootes was persuaded to review an incident that occurred in the United box. Matthijs De Ligt allegedly illegally clipped the heels of Ings. The creator quickly turned instigator as, after a lengthy and heavily contemplated check, Coote controversially decided to point to the spot, awarding West Ham their second spot kick of the season. The stage was set for Jarrod Bowen, to steal all three points in a game many would argue they should’ve lost. The England international tucked his penalty away, expertly beating Andre Onana to send the London Stadium into rapture. The game ended 2-1 as Lopetegui’s men managed to secure back-to-back Premier League home wins and their third win of the season. It was a much-needed result for West Ham United and their Spanish gaffer amid a torrid, forgettable evening for an already under-pressure Erik ten Hag.

Manchester United Player Ratings vs West Ham

Andre Onana – 6.5/10

Onana barely had much to do all game, only making one save throughout the 90 minutes. Although the two goals were not at all the fault of the Ghanaian International, he still only managed to put in a mediocre performance at the London Stadium today managing to make a single save in the entirety of the 90 minutes.

Lisandro Martinez – 7.0/10

The Butcher was returned to his preferred position at Center half for the match against West Ham United. He put in a good shift at the back barring the two goals he conceded in the second half. The Argentine completed 100% of his ground duels (5/5) and 33.3% of his aerial duels (⅓). 

Noussair Mazraoui – 7.8/10

Mazraoui was one of United’s better performers today. The Morrocan fullback puzzingly started the Fernabache game behind the striker as a number 10 but was reinstalled back into his natural position at fullback where he managed to put in an impressive performance despite his side’s disappointing result. Mazraoui completed 90% of his passes; 70% of his Ground duels, 100% of his aerial duels, and also managed 7 clearances. 

Matthijs De Ligt – 5/10

The Former Ajax Captain was left on the bench in his side’s midweek trip to turkey. His return to the starting XI was insipid, the Dutch International failed to complete a single one of his aerial duels, didn’t complete a single tackle and to add insult to injury he was the culprit that gave away the spot kick close to the end of the game. 

Diogo Dalot – 7.5/10

Dalot had a decent game at Right Back in today’s game. The Portuguese International completed 57% of his ground duels whilst also impacting the attack with an impressive 3 key passes. He struggled to keep up with Hammers substitution Summerville when he was brought on in the second half though, presumably as a result of tired legs. 

Bruno Fernandes  – 8/10

Unable to have featured in midweek due to his suspension, Bruno Fernandes made good use of his freshness in today’s match. He was omnipresent in United’s midfield, throwing his weight around and orchestrating swift counterattacks, especially in the opening 45 minutes. The Red Devils Skipper managed 3 key passes; 2 big chances created, 55% success rate on his ground duels and maintained a pass completion rate of 83%. 

Alejandro Garnacho  – 7.5/10

Garnacho showed flashes of brilliance in today’s game but was unable to avoid getting pocketed by former United man Wan Bissaka. Garnacho’s first-half attempt was his standout moment all 90 minutes, failing to register a single shot on target.

Joshua Zirkzee – 7/10

Zirkzee was impressive coming off the bench today. He set up the Casemiro goal and posed an overall threat in the 15+ minutes he spent on the pitch. 

Casemiro – 9/10

Casemiro was imposing in today’s fixture against West Ham. The Brazillian was denied from close range late on in the second half but still managed to get his name on the scoresheet as he tucked away a header from a similar distance as his first-half attempt. He maintained 86% pass accuracy; completed 50% of his ground duels, 80% of his aerial duels, and managed 7 clearances. An impressive performance in midfield to say the least.

Rasmus Hojlund – 6/10

 Marcus Rashford  – 6/10

Amad Diallo – 6/10

Victor Lindelof – 6/10

Red Devil Armada Man of the Match:

Casemiro. The Brazillian Ball winner was fantastic today and his performance is one of the only positives to take away from today's game.