He Manchester United continues to sink into the table after falling into Lopetegui’s West Hamwhich gets oxygen in this important achievement. The conflict has two different parts. A first where United could have scored, but they conceded and then paid for it. In the second, West Ham were superior, doing plenty of damage on the flanks and finding reward in the 91st minute from the spot with a much-discussed penalty from De Ligt to Ings. After 9 rounds, United are fourteenth with only 11 points out of a possible 27.
| Pos | eq | Pts | Q | v | AND | d |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 11 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | |
| 14 |
|
11 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
See the full classification
The Hammers came out of the green full of doubts, while the opposite was the case with United who tried to exploit the weakness at the back of the Londoners from the first second. The substitution of Todibo or the other changes in the eleven did not bring security to Lopetegui’s team, who lived the entire first half at the mercy of the Red Devils.
Fabianski grew up
One of the great new things in the Spanish coach’s eleven is the appearance of the veteran in goal Fabianski (39) instead of Areola. A bet that paid off handsomely, as it was one of two reasons why United didn’t go into half-time leading by a goal or more. The other reason is bad intentions. Two crossbars, a point-blank header from Casemiro that was deactivated by the Polish goalkeeper, another from Bruno that went over the crossbar, two clear chances from Garnacho and a shot at an empty goal from Dalot were not enough for United to score. A lack of success accompanied them throughout the campaign.
Dalot’s error was particularly notable, saving Fabianski’s exit with a small hat trick and once inside the area, with everything in his favour, he lobbed it over the crossbar. Ten Hag couldn’t believe it.
Triple change at half-time
Lopetegui’s team was saved by a miracle, deciding to go out at the interval with three new players. Todibo, Soucek and Summerville enter. The three changed games. The French provided security at the back, the Czech provided clarity and stability in the middle of the field, and Summerville provided vertigo in attack.
It ranged from United being under siege to the high pressure of the Hammers not even allowing them to get past the middle of the field. By two or three passes they planted themselves around Onana, who besides suffering a severe blow on the head saw how his work increased. There were no clear chances, but there were plenty of lateral crosses and balls that went into their place.
From the defeat in Garnacho’s own field, a choral play was born, which culminated in the end post by Summerville. His first goal with his new team (73′). He made moves justifying his lack of minutes thus far. Surely after his run on the wing and his goal the situation would change.
Casemiro, to the rescue
United need a punch on the chin of those who leave you touched to bring out their pride and reaction. Immediately after the goal he went all out. The lack of football that has been with him throughout the campaign is not lost anywhere, but the intensity and putting the heart is the lowest. They found the tie thanks to a measured cross that was cleared by Zirkzee and headed in from close range by former Real Madrid player Casemiro (81′).
A penalty decided the game
United wanted victory, but West Ham, outplayed in the first half, did not want to back down. With a lateral cross, after several rebounds in the area, central defender De Ligt committed a disputed penalty that was reviewed by VAR for several minutes. The Dutchman hit Ings on the leg, who previously could handle the ball a bit with his hands. Bowen was in charge of the execution by hitting the ball against the post, rendering Onana’s stretch useless, which was on target (90+2′).
match lineup
1
29
33
24
15
26
20
19
9
10
4
24
20
3
18
4
6
10
14
9
8
17
London Stadium
Andre Onana24
Diogo Dalot20
94′
Noussair Mazraoui3
83′
93′
Casemiro18
80′
29′
45′
Matthijs de Ligt4
58′
Lisandro Martinez6
91′
Marcus Rashford10
58′
Christian Eriksen14
78′
70′
Rasmus Hojlund9
24′
45′
Bruno Fernandes8
45′
Alejandro Garnacho17
Replacements
Altay Bayindir1
93′
95′
Victor Lindelof2
83′
Johnny Evans35
45′
Harry Amass41
45′
Manuel Ugarte25
Joshua Zirkzee11
78′
45′
73′
73′
Amad Diallo16
58′
Ethan Wheatley36
70′
Jack Fletcher57
coach
Julen Lopetegui
Erik ten Haag
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
