Match verdict
Manchester United 0 Irons 0
So how proud do we feel tonight?
We were a team stripped of four massive players – Payet, Sakho, Valencia and Lanzini – with another on the field in Alex Song who hasn’t played for months. Yet we produced an outstanding performance from front to back.
Winton Reid was entirely awesome at the back particularly as United turned the screw towards the end whilst Mauro Zarate had his best ever match in a Hammers shirt.
The much maligned Andy Carroll showed a work ethic which will live long in the memory and Michail Antonio appearing as a sub for the injured Victor Moses halfway through the second half showed he has more than enough to offer.
On an afternoon we approached with much trepidation, our Irons created the best chances, hit the post twice, defended like men possessed. Given the circumstances may even have given their best performance of the season.
James Tomkins, drafted in at right back for the out of touch Carl Jenkinson, was totally awesome- a calm and collected figure as the Reds poured at us towards the end.
If we thought we were going to lack creativity following Lanzini’s late withdrawal we were all terribly mistaken for Zarate was in astonishing form ably supported until his injury on the other side by Victor Moses.
He headed wide from a Moses corner before seeing an effort cannon back off the post and throughout the afternoon produced mazy runs from deep against a fiercely back pedalling United midfield and defence.
Yes he missed one gilt edged chance his own magic had set up but he was great. Excellent performance.
Cresswell was outstanding as the team created the better chances, did really well going forward and were quite excellent at the back.
United of course tried to play through us but such was the defensive shape they were invariably pushed wide and I’m struggling to remember Adrian making even an awkward save.
This is a night to feel very very proud of a bunch of lads who gave the lot and could and perhaps should have beaten their fifth big team of the season .
Tomkins has proved that the best defence we have played today just like the beginning of the season,
100% effort by the whole team plus still great ability and Entertaining,
Not More Of that Westham Way no one knows about,this squad is united talented and going places,we don’t need anyone in January as we are not going down,we need to play the whole squad sort out where we are going next year return Moses and Jenkinson, sign Lanzini bring home Poyet and Burke and build on what we have and it’s been many years since we have been in this position
Great to be a Hammer even if I am an armchair expat non season ticket fan
Did you enjoy Old Trafford yesterday Matt ?
Good article hugh right in all counts really wish we had the three points today thought we deserved them but the boys were fantastic given the injury problems we have, just imagine if we had some of the other boys fit we would have walked it.
Happy old hammer
Andy Carroll was man of the match. He was all over the place and showed what a great link up player he can be. Mark noble and James Tomkins also showed what you get from the homegrown players when it comes to good traditional hardworking Graft guts and determination.
I am in tears. It is many, many years since we put anything on the pitch like this.
Well done, Slaven and the lads!!!
Man of the match for me? James Tomkins.
Completely agreed Hugh. Fantastic performance shows we can do well even without lost stars.
Best for me was :
Zarate’s best gamw for us showing he really can play as part of a team. Brilliant.
Andy Carroll had been very sluggish in earlier games, but was very mobile and everywhere today. Hopefully this steps up his performances from now on.
At last Antonio gets a chance to step up to the Prem. He took it well.
At last a clean sheet.
The gloom is lifting.
Good post, delighted on many fronts, Tomkins at RB class, can we send Jenks home now. Adrian and back 4 very good. Midfield 3 could not have worked any harder. I still have doubts over Noble but that’s probably being too negative. Moses and Zarate very good and delighted to get a glimpse of Antonio, he certainly has something. For me Carroll did fine, I still believe he does not suit our style of play and to be honest I would not start him if everyone is fit. Overall very proud today..