The match between Manchester United and West Ham has further exposed what is fast appearing to be the worst season yet for José Mourinho and his team. Manchester United came to this match bearing the Carabao Cup defeat in midweek against Derby on its back; while West Ham had won their respective midweek match 8-0 and were extremely confident after the last weekend goalless draw against Chelsea
The match between Manchester United and West Ham has further exposed what is fast appearing to be the worst season yet for José Mourinho and his team. Manchester United came to this match bearing the Carabao Cup defeat in midweek against Derby on its back; while West Ham had won their respective midweek match 8-0 and were extremely confident after the last weekend goalless draw against Chelsea.
West Ham took the lead within six minutes through Felipe Anderson, and while Manchester United came really close to a leveler, Lukaku missing the header spelled doom for Mourinho's men. West Ham doubled their lead just before the halftime break when Yarmolenko's shot took a shrewd deflection of Victor Lindelof - giving De Gea no chance to save the goal. In the equaliser, Luke Shaw had a corner which Rashford brilliantly finished from a tight angle. However, the Hammers took the lead back within a few minutes through Marco Arnautovic. After this, the ball was hardly passed to Manchester and the Hammers made sure they owned the game.
The following are the three talking points from the game:
While Manchester United has had a good record against West Ham in the past, this match saw the Red Devils lacking any intent whatsoever with dubious defence and practically handing the game over to the Hammers. The Red Devils looked poor in possession, in combination, and with their crosses.
With four defeats in the first four games, West Ham United's survival chances this season were doubtful, to say the least. However, Manuel Pellegrini acted as a talisman and turned things around for the team with their first victory coming against Everton at Goodison Park. Their performance against Chelsea and Manchester United proved that Pellegrini has had a positive influence on the team.
United now have lost three games in their first seven matches and this is undoubtedly their worst start of a season. Jose Mourinho's men are already out of the Carabao Cup and are more or less out of the Premier League race as well. While the season is long enough, it is doubtful that the stars of the Red Devils will change based on their current performance.
The tension between Pogba and Mourinho are evident. Pogba had to give up his United vice-captaincy and it was evident that he was frustrated with the game his teammates brought to the front. In the second half, Pogba carried the ball from near his own corner flag to near the halfway line but, with a lack of support, he struggled to keep hold of possession before being fouled by Pedro Obiang. He ended his play at the 70th minute and was visibly upset with the panning of the day.
De Gea kept six clean sheets in his first seven games last season, this term he's managed just one from his opening seven games. But in the wake of current performances, it is evident that the last line of defence is crumbling.
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