[Photo Courtesy]
By Eugene Oyier
Eugeneoyier@gmail.com
In a commanding display, Manchester United secured their fourth win in five games in 2024 with a resounding 3-0 triumph over West Ham United. The Red Devils extended their unbeaten head-to-head record against the Hammers at Old Trafford to an impressive 16 league games.
The match kicked off with both teams displaying end-to-end action, with goalkeepers Alphonse Areola and André Onana being called into action early on. Manchester United took the lead when Casemiro intercepted the ball in the Hammers’ half, setting up Rasmus Højlund for a brilliant finish from the edge of the box.
Despite West Ham’s efforts to respond, the Red Devils almost doubled their lead just before half-time as Højlund narrowly missed a shot from a tight angle. The second half saw a goalkeeping switch for West Ham, with Łukasz Fabiański replacing the injured Areola. However, United quickly capitalized on this change, with Alejandro Garnacho’s deflected shot finding the back of the net, leaving Fabiański helpless.
While United sought a third goal, defensive vulnerabilities left them exposed at the back. West Ham had an opportunity to cut the deficit, but Diogo Dalot’s last-gasp block denied Jarrod Bowen a chance to score. In the final half-hour, United’s defense put up a solid performance, providing a platform for Scott McTominay to seal the victory in the 85th minute by setting up Garnacho for his second goal of the game.
Despite defensive frailties shown throughout the season, United’s backline demonstrated resilience in the later stages, securing their third clean sheet in 12 home league games this season. The win keeps Manchester United in contention for a top-four finish, with only eight points separating them from fourth-place Aston Villa.
This commanding performance by Erik ten Hag’s side sees them climb above West Ham in the Premier League table, with a comfortable 3-0 victory that marks their biggest home win of the season. The Red Devils now set their sights on a crucial clash with top-four hopefuls Aston Villa, while West Ham looks to bounce back against title challengers Arsenal at the London Stadium.