By Gursimran Hans
West Ham eventually slumped to a deserved 4-0 defeat at Old Trafford on the league’s opening weekend.
As expected, Manchester United were in control for the most of the first half. West Ham were forced to defend very deep.
However, the Irons were well organised. Joe Hart made some fine saves, and there were some fine late clearances from the likes of Pablo Zabaleta and Angelo Ogbonna.
Going forward, Masuaku and Arnautovic were trying to make things happen but were starved of supply and support.
It was the Red Devils who took the lead, a rare move forward saw the ball find Pedro Obiang, uncharacteristically, Pedro had his pass closed down strongly by Nemanja Matic, the ricochet found Marcus Rashford who surged forward and played in Romelu Lukaku, whose first-time shot went in off the left post.
West Ham then opened up a bit more with Mark Noble blazing over the bar. Fine link up play between Noble, Javier Hernandez and Andre Ayew saw the ball drop nicely for Edimilson Fernandes, but his shot was hosed down by Eric Bailly and went straight into the arms of David de Gea.
This was the last action of the first half. The second saw a stunning Man Utd counter from a West Ham free-kick (Arnautovic’s deliveries being sub par) win them their own free-kick and Lukaku was giving a free harder to double his side’s lead.
Arnautovic also hit the bar with a fine header from a Mark Noble cross.
Diafra Sakho and Declan Rice replaced Mark Noble and Edimilson Fernandes, almost immediately Sakho could’ve scored but couldn’t get a touch on a corner played across him. Yet another Man Utd counter than found Lukaku but a fine block from Zabaleta denied him his hat-trick.
Marcus Rashford would hit the inside of the right post with a curling shot as Man Utd really began to kick into fifth gear.
A thunderous volley from Daley Blind bounced onto the bar as Manchester United plundered forward smelling blood.
A comedy of errors in failing to clear the ball led to the ball falling for Anthony Martial, with the substitute slotting past Hart.
West Ham pumped forward looking for a consolation but another counter attack followed before Man Utd passed around the midfield like a game of chess. The ball fell for Paul Pogba who drilled a shot in to make it 4-0.
There was still time for West Ham to string together their own passing move, which culminated with Javier Hernandez curling over from 20 yards.
West Ham thus find themselves bottom of the league. Whilst Man Utd were clear favourites, it is alarming how quickly the side collapsed. Indeed, for much of the second half, it was like Rourke’s Drift in the side’s penalty box. With Michail Antonio starring for the Under 23s and Manuel Lanzini being called up for Argentina duty, it is vital that the pair return for the trip to Southampton next week. West Ham need to be faster, stronger and more alert.
TEAMS
Manchester United – De Gea, Valencia (c), Bailly, Jones, Blind, Pogba, Matic, Mata (Fellaini ’75), Mkhitaryan (Lingard ’88), Rashford (Martial ’79), Lukaku.
Unused Subs – Romero, Smalling, Herrera, Damian.
Goalscorers – Romelu Lukaku ’34, ’53, Anthony Martial ’87, Paul Pogba ’90.
West Ham United – Hart, Zabaleta, Reid, Ogbonna, Masuaku (Cresswell ’80), Obiang, Noble (c) (Rice’60), Ayew, Fernandes (Sakho ’60), Arnautovic, Hernandez.
Unused Subs – Adrian, Fonte, Collins, Byram.
Never Fade Never Die 