Manchester United kicked off on Sunday sat 6th in the Premier League table.
However, United had games in hand on Chelsea and Newcastle, meaning wins in said games would see them move up to 4th in the Premier League.
And, when all was said and done at Old Trafford, United came away with the three points.
Manchester United struggled to break West Ham down early on and were caught on the counter several times.
The Red Devils would eventually break the deadlock 38 minutes in thanks to a brilliant cross from Christian Eriksen, which was headed in by Marcus Rashford.
RASHFORDDDDDDDD!
What a ball and what a header ππ₯ pic.twitter.com/DpZaLKoU6Z
β Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 30, 2022
United continued to struggle after the goal, though, offering very little attacking threat.
Jarrod Bowen nearly scored in the final minute but Maguire made a good block.
π° Table Of Contents
Manchester United player ratings
David de Gea (4) β His distribution was poor and this impacted Unitedβs ability beat the West Ham press.
Diogo Dalot (7) β Left a lot of space behind him when pushed up in an inverted role. He was good in the air, though, and won some crucial duels.
Harry Maguire (4) β Maguireβs positioning was poor, forcing Martinez to cover for him several times. Made a good block to stop an equaliser in injury time.
Lisandro Martinez (6) β Covered for Maguire well and was solid in the air despite Michail Antonio coming on.
Luke Shaw (5) β Produced a good cross for Ronaldo, which he wasted. Shaw was not at his best defensively, handing West Ham a few half chances.
Casemiro (5) β Not his most impressive display defensively but he did make three clearances. Casemiro also made one key pass.
Christian Eriksen (7) β Was Unitedβs best player in the first half and produced a fantastic cross for the opener.
Anthony Elanga (4) β His defensive work was lacking, which led to West Ham getting a lot of joy down Unitedβs right. Wasted a few good chances before being subbed off.
Bruno Fernandes (6) β Linked up well with Eriksen for the opener. His passing was good throughout the match but he struggled to feed Ronaldo.
Marcus Rashford (7) β Made a good run before scoring a powerful header to open the scoring.
Cristiano Ronaldo (4) β Offered little in terms of link-up play and pressing. His shooting in the first half was also wasteful. Missed a good headed chance on the hour mark.
Substitutes
Scott McTominay (5) – Helped sure up Unitedβs midfield and offered some threat going forward.
Fred (4) – Hit the post late on.
West Ham player ratings
Lukasz Fabianski (5)
Thilo Kehrer (6)
Craig Dawson (6)
Kurt Zouma (6)
Aaron Creswell (6)
Declan Rice (6)
Tomas Soucek (5)
Jarod Bowen (4)
Flynn Downes (4)
SaΓ―d Benrahma (5)
Gianluca Scamacca (5)
Substitutes
Michail Antonio (5)
Alphonso Areola (5)
Pablo Fornals (5)
Fan reaction
I donβt like to join in on the beating of a player when heβs down but it canβt be a coincidence weβre ALWAYS shit when Maguire starts.
β Jordan (@FourFourJordan) October 30, 2022
Elanga has to come off for Sancho. Letβs know itβs only Ronaldo and Maguire we have to worry about.
β Alucard (@sochimuoneke) October 30, 2022
What a lovely pass from Eriksen! Great finish from Rashford as well ππΎππΎ
β A1 (@A1fred419) October 30, 2022
Expert view
Maguire looks unsure of himself when defending. Rio Ferdinand once said his QPR season was painful as players who used to be scared of him, were running at him any time they got onto the ball.
The United captain was never the most graceful CB, but he’s rusty when retreating.
β Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) October 30, 2022
As a long-standing member of the Short Centre-Backs’ Union, I feel slightly guilty for betraying Lisandro Martinez by blindly agreeing with most of the #OurLeague chat when he came to #TheseShores, when he’s clearly superb
β Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) October 30, 2022
Manchester United really picked up Christian Eriksen on a free transfer π³
What a signing he’s been! π pic.twitter.com/XgWkPbkMeL
β ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 30, 2022
β½οΈ Marcus Rashford is the 22nd player to score 100 goals for Man Utd – the first to reach the milestone for the club since Wayne Rooney in August 2009 pic.twitter.com/YRANLNiVBt
β Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) October 30, 2022
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