Match Report
Midweek football returned for Manchester United, as Thursday night a return to Premier League action for the Red Devils against another London opponent. This time playing host to West Ham under the flood lights of Old Trafford.
The game followed the positive result away at Crystal Palace and was staged following the conclusion of all of the other league fixtures. Which included Chelsea's surprise defeat to Leeds, and Liverpool drawing at home to Sunderland. Meaning that United knew with a win that they could leapfrog their bitter rivals and go level on points with "The Blues." Putting United right in the hunt for top four, and those Champions League spots.
Going into the fixture their was some uncertainty as Amorim suggested in his press conference that two regulars could miss the game due to injury; although refused to name the players, leading to fan speculation. Including worry that the ever reliable and captain Fernandes may be one of those that might miss out, with eagle eyed fans spotting the Portuguese in some discomfort following the win at Selhurst Park. A blow that would be even more significant considering his MOTM performance and two assist haul last time out.
As the team news was announced prior to kick off it wasn't Fernandes after all, but the ever reliable De Ligt who is the player to miss out. Whilst Cunha back from injury came straight into the starting eleven in place of Mount, whilst youngster Heaven took the place at the back.
As the game kicked off an expectant packed Old Trafford crowd raised the noise. However unfortunately the half was somewhat of a non event. Both sides had a few half chances and half hearted appeals for penalties. But it was a largely uninspiring 45 minutes of football.
Amad was key to all the promising moves from a United perspective. As he teed up the halves most clear cut attacking chances in the 28th minute as United had three attempts to put the ball in the net. Culminating in the United captain attempting a Di Canio like half volley which grazed the outside of the post.
Wan Bissaka; formerly of Manchester United, was by far the away sides best player in the first. As he moved the ball from defence to attack well and made a few of his trademark sliding wrap around challenges to great effect.
A half that came to an end and won't live long in the memory of either fan base. Surely the second couldn't be any worse?
The second kicked off with United attacking the famous Stretford End. With the first noticeable change after the break was Heaven who received an early yellow card for a challenge on Bowen was subbed off for Leny Yoro.
The early stages of the half followed largely the same pattern of the opening with United attacking down the right hand side with both Amad and Mbeumo, and with West Ham seemingly content to play on the counter, or to rely on set pieces to find their own breakthrough in the game.
A break through which nearly came from Magassa as he broke away but fired hard into the side netting. As so normally happens in these situations. From the goal kick United go up the other end. With the ball eventually making its way to Casemiro, who fired a strike from the edge of the area towards goal. A strike which deflects and is beautifully controlled by Dalot who finds himself in unfamiliar territory on the 6 yard line and fires it past Areola. 1-0 to the Red Devils, and probably on the balance of play a deserved lead.
With that lead, full blooded renditions of "5 Cantonas" & "United Road" rang around Old Trafford drowning out the away fans ever increasing volume renditions of "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles." But with 25 minutes still remaining. The game felt far from over.
Cunha on his return might've thought he was going to add to his teams advantage but saw his effort deflected over. A chance that if it had gone in might've put the game beyond their East London visitors.
The visitors who still had life because of that capitalised on a corner which was cleared off the line but Magassa who had West Hams biggest chances earlier in the half fired home to level up the game to jubilant scenes in the away end. 1-1, with 6 minutes to play. Was their time for a winner?
If there was, it was going to have to be in the 5 minutes of additional time. A game that drifted for large parts finally had an injection of urgency. Urgency that failed to yield that winning touch for either side. As the game ended 1-1.
Inconsistency continues to haunt Manchester United, and the performances at home will be a concern as they once again struggle to get across the line in a game that many would have tipped the home side to win. A night that feels like yet another failed opportunity for United to propel themselves into the top 4 conversation. Whereas the visitors get an invaluable point to take back down south and will be much the happier of the sides.
