Old Trafford mission impossible without Big Three

Had a shocker

Disappointed? Yes of course. Dejected and despondent – absolutely not!

Let’s be honest we really didn’t expect anything from yesterday and to be frank the game went very much as I would have expected other than the first half hour when the Hammers did better than okay particularly early on when there was plenty of tempo, one touch passing and movement.

That it didn’t last too long was no big surprise as an athletic and gifted team costing around £300 million hit their stride and served a Title warning to the rest of the Premier League.

Great to see Sak back

I hate making excuses for defeat – something I blasted Sam Allardyce for over and over again – but on this occasion it would be wrong and unfair not to.

Hammer of the Year, Michail Antonio, top playmaker Manu Lanzini and high energy Cheik Kouyate were all missing and for us to go to Old Trafford hoping to take something without our three best players – Hernadez excepted – is surely Mission Impossible.

Having said that there were some worries:

• Arnautovic’s dismal free kicks
• Ayew – just what is his role?
• Masuaku had a shocker
• and Reid looked like a defender going backwards

The big plus was the re-appearance of Diafra Sakho who gave a taste of what we had been missing when stealing into the United box to supply a glancing header which could very easily have been converted. That’s what he does – a very crafty and clever striker.

I’ll say it for the umpteenth time – if we can keep the lad fit he will put 25 per cent on our game with his movement and for me he is a better line leader than anyone at the club.

I was delighted to see Declan Rice get 30 minutes and at just 18 years old this boy is a gem and for me a starter maybe even in preference to Noble because of his ability to come out from the back and spray passes around.

Zabba was unfortunate in facing perhaps the quickest left winger in the League on his first appearance but Masuaku was awful and blew a big opportunity to stake his claim to the left back spot.

With Antonio and maybe Lanzini back on Saturday and hopefully with Hernandez getting a partner in Sak I’m confident of a result at Southampton

Should they do so I believe that will be missing piece in the Hammers puzzle with the 25 year old holding midfielder providing some serious solidarity in front of the back four who thus far are “passed through” far too easily.

I reckon he will stop all that and give us a much more solid shape.

So heads up and COME ON YOU IRONS!