Manchester United extended their seven-month winless run away from home in the Premier League on Sunday, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side losing to West Ham after goals from Andriy Yarmolenko and Aaron Cresswell either side of half-time.
It was a laboured start to the match at London Stadium, with a severe lack of creativity from both sides meaning goalkeepers Lukas Fabianski and David de Gea were only tested by speculative long-range efforts.
It looked for all the world that the game would be all square at the break, but just five minutes before the half-time whistle
WEST HAM
Key Talking Point
West Ham certainly don't have the worst record against United in recent years, and it was that confidence to go toe to toe with Solskjaer's side which ultimately gave them the platform to cause an upset on Sunday.
It was a game which severely lacked any real quality but West Ham came up with the only two talking points to ensure they've won back to back home games against United for the first time in over a decade.
Player Ratings
Starting XI: Fabianski (7); Fredericks (6), Diop (6), Ogbonna (7), Cresswell (7); Rice (8), Yarmolenko (8*), Noble (7), Fornals (6), Anderson (6); Haller (7).
Substitutes: Wilshere (7), Zabaleta (6), Snodgrass (6).
STAR PLAYER - It wasn't a match that was overflowing with quality, but Yarmolenko provided the spark which helped to get things going at London Stadium.
The Ukraine international didn't have the greatest game of his career, but his goal was a real turning point in the match which helped secure all three points for Manuel Pellegrini's side.
Once again Yarmolenko proving his worth. He gets far too much stick from fans who make him the scapegoat for poor team performances. He comes alive in and around the box with good link play and an eye for goal.
— ☘️Irish Tommy 5280 ⚒️ (@tomster36) September 22, 2019
臘Well, its only about time for West Ham to score They are controlling the game. United are more busy defending than attacking Great goal by Yarmolenko btw #WHUMUN
— Im the Human (@imrankamil_5) September 22, 2019
Just saw the replay of the goal! That’s brilliant movement from Yarmolenko man.
— suwaid (@doobdibdab) September 22, 2019
Neither West Ham or United were at their best on Sunday, but Yarmolenko was the only player on the pitch who showed the slightest glimpse of quality in the final third of the pitch.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Key Talking Point
Player Ratings
Starting XI: De Gea (6); Wan-Bissaka (8), Lindelof (6), Maguire (5), Young (7); Matic (6), McTominay (7), Pereira (7), Mata (5), James (5); Rashford (3).
Substitutes: Lingard (6), Fred (6), Gomes (6).
STAR PLAYER - We could just skip over the whole section, couldn't we?
It might be difficult to think of a single United player who can walk away from London Stadium with their head held high, but right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka proved once again why he's regarded as one of the best defensive full-backs in Europe.
33' - Aaron Wan-Bissaka. That is all #mulive
— utdreport (@utdreport) September 22, 2019
Of all the big six signings this summer Wan-Bissaka is probably the biggest upgrade on who his team were previously using in the position.
— Oscar (@Reunewal) September 22, 2019
Wan-Bissaka is flawless, as usual.
— ♡#MUFC Girl♡ (@reshmikasingh) September 22, 2019
Thankful every day for Aaron Wan-Bissaka
— Hayles (@Hayles_101) September 22, 2019
Going forward, United still need a bucket load of work before they ever come close to matching their past glory, but Wan-Bissaka has shown time and time again that he could slot into any of the club's title-winning sides from the last 40 years.
Looking Ahead
With Premier League action over for another week, both West Ham and United will be looking ahead to the Carabao Cup in mid-week.
The Hammers travel to Oxford City on Wednesday, while United host Rochdale before looking ahead to their match against Arsenal on Monday.
Source: 90min