Manchester United recorded their biggest home Premier League win of the season on Sunday as they beat West Ham United 3-0 at Old Trafford.
Three days after the impressive attacking display at Molineux, United produced another dynamic offensive showing spearheaded by the youthful Ramsus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho. The former netted the opener in the first period, while a second-half brace from Garnacho wrapped up all three points for Erik ten Hag’s side.
The game was preceded by both managers laying wreaths on the pitch to mark the closest game to the 66th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster, which falls on Tuesday.
When the game got under way it was United who settled quickest, and dominated possession against a West Ham side content to sit deep and absorb pressure. It led to an early chance for Bruno Fernandes, who curled wide less than a minute before Diogo Dalot tested Alphonse Areola from a set-piece routine.
On 23 minutes, United took the lead via their in-form star. Hojlund latched onto the ball after Casemiro slid in and retrieved it in the middle, before the Dane strode confidently forward, bypassed Nayef Aguerd and smashed a powerful strike into the goal with his right foot. Not a bad way to celebrate turning 21.
But United still struggle to control games and it was West Ham who ended the half on top. Andre Onana’s only real involvement in the opening 25 minutes had been to make a instinctive, diving save to keep out an Aguerd header that pinged off Edson Alvarez. But he was called into action again to deny Ben Johnson’s shot from distance, and a Mohammed Kudus header. James Ward-Prowse also drilled an effort off target in a disappointing end to the half that saw the home fans voice their frustration at the slow and directionless play at times.
But Erik ten Hag’s message at the break stirred the hosts in to action and it took less than five minutes for United to grab a second as Garnacho cut inside and fired a shot on target that took a wicked deflection that gave half-time substitute Lukasz Fabianski no chance in the away goal.
And United could have been 3-0 when Marcus Rashford and Dalot both fired just wide with shots from distance. But the second half followed the same story as the first, with United slacking off and allowing West Ham to see more of the ball.
The Hammers also carried a threat on the break and Emerson Palmieri twice failed to seriously test Onana after he drove into the box and shot, while Dalot’s last-ditch tackle denied Jarrod Bowen a clear attempt on goal, with the blocked shot deflecting out for a corner.
But it was United who grabbed the third goal of the game when a combination of Hojlund and Scott McTominay dispossessed Kalvin Phillips in the middle and drove forward, before the latter slipped the ball to Garnacho and he confidently fired past Fabianski.
McTominay nearly added a fourth, but drilled wide, while Kudus missed two late chances on a disappointing afternoon for the Hammers. The win sees United move up to sixth in the table as they appear to be building some momentum. Here's how we rated the players...
1. Andre Onana- 8
Made some important saves in an impressive performance from the keeper. Onana's long kicking was also on point for United.
2. Diogo Dalot- 8
Defended well at right-back and made a crucial block to stop what looked to be a certain goal for Bowen. It was a commanding and confident display from the Portugal international.
3. Harry Maguire- 7
Had a good game and made some important tackles and headers. He did, however, present West Ham with a clear-cut chance that Palmieri squandered.
4. Lisandro Martinez- 7 (off 71)
Was replaced with a knee injury and, while he walked off, it could be a serious problem for the Argentinian. Martinez brought plenty of aggression and put in some strong tackles.