The hallowed turf of Old Trafford witnessed another disappointing chapter in Manchester United's tumultuous season as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of West Ham United in round 36 of the Premier League. Despite the advantage of playing on home soil, The Red Devils were unable to overcome a determined West Ham side, marking their 17th league loss of the campaign – a statistic that casts a long shadow over their season.
For the visit of West Ham, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim opted for a familiar 3-4-2-1 formation. With little left to play for in the Premier League, Amorim chose to rotate his squad, resting key players such as Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Diogo Dorgu, and Alejandro Garnacho. This decision provided opportunities for young talents like Rhys Amass and Amad Diallo, as well as midfielder Mason Mount, to gain valuable playing time. Given United's dwindling motivation in the league, the manager's inclination towards experimentation was understandable.
An Opening But West Ham Strikes First
From the opening whistle, the match unfolded in an engaging manner, with both teams displaying a willingness to attack and creating end-to-end action. The equilibrium was broken in the 26th minute, and the opening goal belonged to the visitors. West Ham orchestrated a fluid attacking move that resembled a training ground exercise, culminating in Mohammed Kudus driving into the penalty area and delivering a precise cross for Tomas Soucek to tap the ball into the Manchester United net, giving The Hammers the lead.
United's Frustrated Attacks
Falling behind spurred Manchester United into attempting to mount a response. However, their attacking endeavors lacked the crucial element of precision in the final third, particularly from striker Rasmus Hojlund. Following the interval, The Red Devils increased their attacking intent, pushing more players forward in search of an equalizer. Yet, their efforts proved futile, and their hopes suffered another setback due to a costly error.
Wan-Bissaka's Assist and Garnacho's Miss
In the 57th minute, Manuel Ugarte's loss of possession in a central area proved to be a pivotal moment. West Ham capitalized ruthlessly on the mistake, launching a swift counter-attack. Aaron Wan-Bissaka found himself out of position, allowing Jarrod Bowen to latch onto the ball and finish with a clinical left-footed shot from close range, doubling West Ham's advantage. Just minutes later, Manchester United had a golden opportunity to pull a goal back, but substitute Alejandro Garnacho inexplicably shot into the side netting from close range, compounding the home side's frustration.
Hojlund's Profligacy Continues
In the remaining minutes of the match, Manchester United managed to carve out a few promising attacking situations. However, Rasmus Hojlund's struggles in front of goal continued to plague them. The Danish striker had two clear opportunities, boasting favorable shooting angles, but on both occasions, his efforts were thwarted by West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, who stood firm to deny the home side.
The final whistle confirmed Manchester United's 2-0 defeat on their own patch. This result marked The Red Devils' 17th loss in the Premier League this season and extended their winless streak in the tournament to six consecutive matches. This dismal run of form leaves Manchester United languishing in 16th place in the league standings with a mere 39 points, a stark illustration of their underwhelming campaign. Their next Premier League fixture will see them travel to face Chelsea in round 37.