Manchester United continued their Premier League campaign today at Old Trafford versus West Ham in the Premier League. United came into the match looking to continue the good form they showed against Brentford in midweek, but West Ham were sure to be a much tougher test. They came into this match in an impressive 4th place (given their relatively modest budget) and are helmed by former United manager David Moyes. He knows Manchester United very well in terms of the club’s philosophies and individual players’ strengths and weaknesses. United’s current manager Ralf Rangnick was looking for continued efforts from the players in terms of desire and physicality.
The first half was rather tepid from a neutral point of view. If you wanted to see a lot of goals, this was not the match for you. United really only had one clear-cut chance in the first half, and that was on 20 minutes when striker Cristiano Ronaldo just barely missed getting his head on a brilliant aerial cross from his Portuguese compatriot Bruno Fernandes. Although United did not look strong in attack, the defense was rock solid in that opening 45 minutes. West Ham were really struggling to create chances, as United were very good at winning the ball back if they ever lost it. The back 4 and the two holding midfielders were really cohesive and West Ham lost chances to score with every clearance from United.
The second half was much more entertaining, as both clubs seemed to take more risks going forward. Fred forced a fine save from West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola just 3 minutes after the kick off, and West Ham saw a shot from midfielder Jarrod Bowen go just wide of keeper David De Gea’s post just 5 minutes later. French center back Raphael Varane then came close to a goal with a header from a United corner, but his effort went over the bar. West Ham did not mark him correctly, and I think he knew that he should have scored from that position. The chances then petered out for about 20 minutes, before West Ham came close from a corner on 87 minutes. The whipped-in cross got a slight touch off the head of midfielder Tomáš Souček, but he couldn’t generate enough contact on the ball and it ended up going wide. Much like Varane’s chance though, he probably should have scored. Ronaldo then had a shot called back for offside, after which West Ham midfielder Declan Rice forced an awkward save from De Gea from a tight angle at his near post.
But then the moment came; the moment feared by all away fans when they come to Old Trafford: Fergie time. The last final few seconds before a close match ends when United can sometimes find a winner, named for our legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Alex Telles played the ball forward from his left back position, and after the ball came off a West Ham player’s head it fell straight into the path of Ronaldo. Ronaldo took a touch or two before playing in substitute striker Anthony Martial, who then made a very intelligent layoff pass to (another substitute) striker Edinson Cavani just off his left shoulder. Cavani spotted striker (and yet another substitute) Marcus Rashford streaking towards the far post, so Cavani played it to him with a crisp pass. Rashford poked it home from 3 yards out with his marker beaten, and Old Trafford erupted in celebration. A quick and decisive goal that would make both Rangnick and Ferguson very pleased to see. VAR checked to see if Cavani was offside, but when the goal was upheld Old Trafford roared again in celebration. There was no time for West Ham to respond, and United won 1-0. You have to see it to believe it!
Make no mistake, this was the best 90 minutes of football that United have played during Rangnick’s tenure as manager. He deserves all the credit in the world for his second half substitutes, as all three of them combined to score the goal. I raised my eyebrows when Martial was brought on, as he has been out of form for several months now and is believed to be close to leaving the club sometime this month. I didn’t think he would contribute much. But he, along with Cavani and Rashford, were much-needed sparks in the United attack. The most important aspect of this match though was the desire, belief, determination, and physicality on display from the Red Devils. In this sport, you always have to fight until the very end. When it’s close like it was today, things can turn in your favor (or against you) in a matter of seconds. That’s exactly what happened today. Truthfully I would have been mostly happy with a 0-0 given how the match went, but a Fergie time winner is always something to be celebrated. West Ham are tough opposition and not even the elite clubs can win every match 3-0. Sometimes you have to grind out a win, and that’s exactly what United did today.
A few final thoughts – United’s set piece and corner routines continue to be atrocious. Whatever we are doing in training when it comes to scoring from set pieces, it’s not working. In matches such as this one it’s risky to rely on a Fergie time winner, and scoring from a corner would normally be the most reliable way of getting a goal. That must improve. A big shoutout to Rashford though, who has now scored in successive matches and has scored more stoppage-time winners than anyone else in Prem history (4). Also, I want us to sign Rice as our defensive midfielder. He is truly excellent at breaking up play and United is still in desperate need of a true DM. I also like him because he’s one of England’s best players, and Manchester United needs to be a home for English talent. Time to open up the checkbook, Glazers!
United are on break for the next two weeks or so, but they resume play against Championship side Middlesbrough in the 4th Round of the FA Cup on February 4th. I am hopeful that this match serves as a confidence booster to the lads and that this form continues. United are currently 4th now after this win, but Tottenham and Arsenal still have games in hand behind us. No matter, all we can do is focus on winning and building positive momentum.
Glory Glory Man United!
4-4-2 