Bold, brave Hammers beaten… just

West Ham once again gave absolutely everything they had away at a big six club, but came away empty-handed on Sunday evening.

The Hammers were beaten 1-0 by Manchester United at Old Trafford in a game that saw the Irons create plenty of chances, but they just couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net.

The decisive goal came from Marcus Rashford after 38 minutes, as he rose above Thilo Kehrer to send a bullet header beyond Lukasz Fabianski from Christian Eriksen’s cross.

Replays showed that there were three men around Eriksen when he crossed the ball, but none were able to put a foot in.

The first half, beyond that, was actually devoid of real goal-mouth incident, but the Hammers grew into the game and were absolutely terrific in the second half.

The half started with a substitution, as Alphonse Areola replaced Lukasz Fabianski after the Pole sustained an injury.

But the Irons forced a variety of saves from David De Gea, with Mikey Antonio denied from range as he tipped the ball over, while the Spaniard also defied physics to save from Kurt Zouma.

United hit the post on 85 minutes, as Fred sent a header towards goal that left Areola rooted, but the Hammers were consistently in the ascendancy in the second half and only failed to find a cutting edge.

The big chance came on 92 minutes, as Jarrod Bowen was found six yards out and he shot at goal, but Harry Maguire managed to make a big block, and De Gea then, somehow, denied Declan Rice from range with one of the most spectacular saves of the season so far.

United were truly under siege in the final few minutes, with the Hammers threatening to break the door down, but the home side somehow managed to escape with three points.

The Irons can hold their heads up high after this display; they were absolutely terrific, and played United off the park in that second half.

A defeat, but one that was barely, barely deserved.