Match verdict by Hughie Southon
Goalkeepers can be forgiven for failing to save headers like Marcus Rashford’s but there remains a huge question mark over the defencing which led to it.
Thilo Kehrer has received many plaudits but was unable to get anywhere near the Manchester United hitman as he rose to send a thumping header past Lukasz Fabianski.
Whilst Gary Neville was going into a ridiculous and unnecessary bout of Manchester United fan fever – describing the goal over and over as “delicious” – he made little or no attempt to make it clear the goal shouldn’t have happened.
Scamacca continues to worry
It came from a routine cross into the box and some more than sketchy defending across the back four with Kehrer the ultimate fall guy.
It’s not the first time we have seen him responsible for goals and although he is great on the ball, this is an area he needs to improve.
If one thing was proven it was that Sky should stop allowing the objectionable Neville anywhere near Man United – he is simply a fan. Nothing more!
As a result of the goal this was a seriously tough result to take as the Hammers drove into United during a second half which, as was the case at Anfield, they deserved something.
Honourable mentions are due however, to Kurt Zouma who was a colossus at the back and Pablo Fornals who excited when arriving as a sub.
Declan did well and Soucek was effective too but this lack of goalscoring is hurting us badly and something needs to change
Scanacca continues to worry with an inability to often hold onto the ball in tight situations although Miket Antonio still isn’t showing enough to be anymore than second choice.
Incredible how we can all see the same game in different ways, Hugh.
Man Utd were bang average today, and with a little more intensity and belief, we could’ve beaten them comfortably. We weren’t good today – not anywhere near the standards we’ve set over the past two seasons. We were slow, lazy with our passing (particularly in the first half) and playing three CDMs in the middle of the park when you have Fornals and Lanzini on the bench just sends all the wrong signals.
I would like to see Soucek dropped – he was appauling again – with Downes alongside Rice. What exactly does Soucek offer that Downes cannot? He is languid and careless and no longer provides goals.
Moyes could’ve put Bennie in the No. 10 role and Fornals or Emerson on the left wing. It would’ve set us up with far more attacking intent.
I agree that Zouma, Kehrer, Bennie and Fornals were decent. I believe Scamacca’s hold up play and control in tight situations is actually a great strength of his – so I don’t agree with you there – he just needs service, which he won’t get with us playing so defensively.
But we’re still in third gear, and chasing games late on. We’re still tied to the same formation and 60 minute substitutions. There’s no mystery or wonder in our play, and I desperately hope Moyes takes some definitive action, rather than just persevering with Soucek in the middle. Something has to change and, for me, it’s him.