WHZ View: Three things learned from West Ham defeat v Manchester United
West Ham failed to break their Old Trafford curse on Sunday evening as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.
The Hammers haven’t won in the league at the home of the Red Devils since 2007. David Moyes and his side got the tactics wrong as a Craig Dawson own goal was the difference between the two sides.
The home side always looked more likely to break the deadlock. Lukasz Fabianski saved expertly in the first half from Mason Greenwood, whilst Marcus Rashford headed wide from close range.
All in all, it was a very disappointing evening for us. West Ham Zone have highlighted these three things to take away from the defeat.
Sitting back doesn’t work
We went to Manchester with the sole aim to hold out this evening and it failed us. Moyes set up with five at the back and three holding midfielders and allowed United to attack us, with the aim to counter back.
With Rashford, Greenwood and Fernandes this is always a risky strategy to play. In the first half we didn’t register a single attempt on goal and looked woeful going forward.
We did the same at home to Liverpool and it cost us. We’ve shown this season we’re capable of playing good football, but ultimately we showed United too much respect. Very frustrating.
Fabianski is fantastic
Twice we’ve gone to Old Trafford this season, twice we’ve lost 1-0, twice Fabianski is unlucky to be on the losing side. He was excellent this evening.
His first save onto the post from Greenwood was world-class. The Pole then made two more top saves in the second half from Fernandes to keep us in the game.
On the week he signed a new one year contract he proved his worth. An excellent goalkeeper who appears to be getting better all the time. We’re surprised it’s just the one year he’s been signed on for. It’ll be a big job to replace him after next season.
Noble not at it
It’s a big ask to come in and face a top side having played just 304 league minutes this season. Sadly for Noble, a lot of the game passed him by at Old Trafford.
An excellent servant to the club, and will rightly so go down in history with the greats. But tonight was too much for him. We looked a different side when he went off. Undoubtedly still a class player, but his pace is a real issue.
He will play again, and he will play far, far better. United are a very quick team and it showed this evening.
In other West Ham news, Frank McAvennie is delighted by the depth of the squad.