Man United’s biggest opponents are not their rivals – it’s their defence! The Red Devils fell short once again, this time in London against West Ham 2-1! But when Diogo Dalot makes the worst miss of the season in front of an empty net and De Ligt recklessly tackles Ings in the dying minutes for a penalty, no one can do anything about it. Neither Sir Jim Ratcliffe, let alone Erik ten Hag.After the perfect first period, United could have been a couple of goals in front, but they did not – a bit thanks to outstanding Fabianski, but much more thanks to Dalot. The punishment came in the 74th minute when the sub Crysencio Summerville broke the deadlock. The Red Devils got a ray of hope seven minutes later after Casemiro’s leveller, only to concede another in the 92nd minute when Bowen sent the spot kick home.West Ham have won three consecutive Premier League home games against Manchester United for the first time in the competition’s history. ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/EblDodU5pD— Squawka (@Squawka) October 27, 2024 West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui opted to slightly mix things up after the crushing defeat against Tottenham last week, leaving the custodian Alphonse Areola on the bench and replacing him with the experienced Pole Lukasz Fabianski, who was set to start for the first time in the Premier League this season. Tomas Soucek was also out of the XI today, while Mohammed Kudus served the first game of his three-match suspension. Instead of the two, Edson Alvarez and Carlos Soler were starters.Erik ten Hag did not have room for many changes. Compared to the UEFA Europa League clash against Fenerbahce, Noussair Mazraoui started at left back, while Casemiro took his place in the midfield. This time, the Dutchman gave Rasmus Hojlund a chance in the attack, leaving his fellow countryman Joshua Zirkzee on the bench.Hey, neighbours, can you give us a lift? No, get lostAlejandro Garnacho was the most active Man United player in the beginning, creating three chances in the first ten minutes. Once his effort crashed against the crossbar, once he shot it wide, while Hojlund failed to convert the Argentinian’s excellent pass, as Fabianski stopped him.Evra blames himself and Ferguson for Man United’s turbulence, questions Ten HagAfter United’s initial dominance, West Ham caught their breath but couldn’t seriously threaten. Moreover, the Hammers had only one attempt off target in the entire half! Still, the crucial and most unbelievable moment of the first half was Diogo Dalot’s miss of the season! The Portuguese defender superbly received Bruno Fernandes’ pass, dribbled the ball past Fabianski, and then somehow managed to miss the empty net! United’s ultimate chance in the first period came in the last minute, when West Ham’s 39-year-old custodian marvellously saved Casemiro’s header after a free-kick cross.West Ham 0-0 Manchester United HTThe visitors may well consider themselves unlucky not to be ahead at the break.Much of their xG came from the near-open goal that Diogo Dalot missed #WHUMUN pic.twitter.com/mZ7gQbnA4B— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) October 27, 2024 Considering a pretty poor first-half display, Lopetegui had to change something, subbing in Crysencio Summerville, Soucek, and Jean-Clair Todibo for Soler, Lucas Paqueta, and Konstantinos Mavropanos. And they made an impact, given that West Ham’s offensive play became much more dangerous. Yet, United threatened first again, through Hojlund, whose long-range strike Fabianski deflected. The invisible Marcus Rashford left the pitch at an hour mark, being replaced with the young Ivorian Amad Diallo.But the feeling that the punishment for Dalot’s inconceivable miss was in the air as if everyone knew West Ham would net sooner or later. And, of course, it happened in the 74th minute, when Summerville used the rumble in United’s box and smashed the deflection after another sub, Danny Ings’ shot into Andre Onana’s net – 1-0!Yet, the Hammers couldn’t hold out longer than seven minutes! Zirkzee, who replaced Christian Eriksen, assisted Casemiro with his first touch of the game, and the Brazilian netted a header to level the score and set things for the intense finish of the game – 1-1! Jarrod Bowen was impeccable, bringing a priceless triumph to West Ham. Even the 12-minute added time was not enough for the Red Devils to snatch at least a point.United’s crisis gets worse by the day, as they currently sit in the 14th position with only 11 points. The way out is not on the horizon and – if someone thought otherwise – now it became clear that it’s not about Ten Hag. Some of the players just don’t deserve the jersey they wear.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 9Friday Leicester – Nott.Forest 1-3 (1-1)/Vardy 23 – Yates 16, Wood 47, 60/Saturday Aston Villa – Bournemouth 1-1 (0-0)/Barkley 76 – Evanilson 90+6/Brentford – Ipswich 4-3 (2-2)/Wissa 44, Clarke 45+1 og, Mbeumo 51 pen, 90+6 – Szmodics 28, Hirst 31, Delap 86/Brighton – Wolverhampton 2-2 (1-0)/Welbeck 45, Ferguson 85 – Ait-Nouri 88, Cunha 90+3/Man.City – Southampton 1-0 (1-0)/Haaland 5/Everton – Fulham 1-1 (0-0)/Beto 90+4 – Iwobi 61/Sunday Chelsea – Newcastle 2-1 (1-1)/Jackson 18, Palmer 47 – Isak 32/Crystal Palace – Tottenham 1-0 (1-0)/Mateta 31/West Ham – Man.Utd. 2-1 (0-0)/Summerville 74, Bowen 90+2 pen – Casemiro 81/19.30: (2.50) Arsenal (3.45) Liverpool (2.95)***odds are subject to change***
