Watching the Manchester United v Liverpool game on Sky, I found myself in awe of the speed of Liverpool’s counter attacks and hoping they make about nine changes against West Ham United in the forthcoming Carabao Cup fixture later in September. It could still be a long night and longer journey home for Hammers’ Away fans: It’s a ground I have still never visited as an away supporter so regardless of the result I’ll still be jealous of the Claret and Blue followers.
One standout from the game at Old Trafford, though, was the limited impact of Manchester United’s new signings. Of course, I was only really watching one of them, their new right back Noussair Mazraoui.
Readers of Claret and Hugh will be familiar with the 26 year old Moroccan who Eric Ten Hag waited weeks to re-unite with during this window. West Ham did a classic ‘pivot’ to try and complete their own deal with Aaron Wan Bissaka (which had stalled) by appearing to be bidding for, or maybe really attempting to steal Bayern Munich’s Mazraoui. It certainly convinced Manchester United to get the Wan- Bissaka deal finished so that they could sign Ten Hag’s target once AWB committed to becoming a Hammer.
And I’m not convinced that West Ham didn’t get the better of the deal! I’ve been so disappointed in recent windows where our naiivety or dithering has caused us to ‘fail’ to make quality signings. No longer the ‘soft touch’ in the transfer window, are we!
Mazraoui didn’t have a bad game – far from it – but as right backs go he was ‘ok’. Independent MUFC fan site Unitedinfocus.com claims:” there were many negatives but Mazraoui wasn’t one of them.”
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – Man of the Match v Man City
Some accolade! Aaron Wan Bissaka, however, was immense for West Ham and I cannot believe Ten Hag let him go. For any price. Least of all for £15 million (ok, so in his last year of a contract – but even so). As far as I am concerned, Steidten and Lopetegui have stolen a thoroughbred, first class defender for the price of a squad or development player and at the same fee Manchester Utd paid for Mazraoui. Brilliant business.
Many Red Devils fans feel the same way and are pretty miserable about losing their ‘Spider’ to The Irons.
Wan Bissaka was universally made the Hammers’ MOM from assorted sites at the weekend, which says something when a defender is man of the match in a three – one loss! He impresses on either side as a left or right back – and offers a superb attacking option to West Ham’s squad. I am so looking forward to him developing with Bowen and Kudus on our right hand side going forward. At times last year, Paqueta and Emerson really ‘clicked’ on our left and now we have the prospect of similar chemistry and great results – not to mention really exciting, watchable football – down our right flank too. Happy days!