Man Utd 0-2 West Ham (Soucek 26′, Bowen 57′)
OLD TRAFFORD — How to lose a match part 17. In this bizarre race to the bottom Manchester United exceeded expectations with a performance at least as bad as anything seen under Ruben Amorim, and we are not short of options.
Amorim has overseen a bewildering 13 of United’s 17 defeats, seven of those at home. In total, the Red Devils have fallen nine times at Old Trafford. The team relegated in 1974 had a better home record than this.
It is a stretch to hide behind the idea that winning the Europa League in Bilbao next week would put a gloss on any of this. Notwithstanding their unbeaten record in the competition, even getting the better of a team as erratic as Tottenham Hotspur requires the use of mind-altering drugs after this grim experience.
As it does to see how Amorim might survive much more of this. United fell behind for the 22nd time in 36 matches. They have won only four times in the Premier League this year, and three of those “triumphs” were at home to relegated Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton, and the latter were the better team.
Rasmus Hojlund was his usual ineffective self at Old Trafford (Photo: Getty)Amorim’s touchline demeanour speaks of a job too big for him. You want to scream “Relax Ruben, you aren’t helping with your technical area prowling, kneeling, floor gazing.” Amorim was employed to give this team belief. They can’t feed off his endless anxiety and doubts.
The Portuguese head coach is both bright and sensitive. He does not need telling how badly he is failing. Every match begins with an admission of the necessity to win, yet domestically he has shown nil aptitude for this unforgiving environment.
Chief executive Omar Berrada, Ineos director of sport Dave Brailsford and technical director Jason Wilcox are ultimately the architects of this mess, and whether they like it or not, they have yet another coaching crisis to address ahead of summer recruitment. How can they commit to the ideas of a coach whose output is emphatically a losing one?
It would help, of course, if Amorim had a centre-forward to finish off a move. When United eventually raised a head of steam after falling two behind, Rasmus Hojlund twice failed to beat the keeper with platinum chances. Hojlund’s inability to train on is a reminder of the mistakes in the market that United cannot afford to repeat.
The technical hill upon which Amorim has planted his standard is the three at the back he deployed here. Until West Ham clocked just how bad United are, there were hints of something. Leny Yoro’s long stride across the half way line is a signature move, his comfort on the ball one of the principal reasons United shelled £52m for him last summer.
It was his great misfortune to collapse early in the second half clutching the same left foot that had blown a hole in his first season. The baller at the back is all part of the playbook promised by Amorim’s fabled back three, of course, plus the inclusion of nimble, mobile midfielders. Yet none of Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo or Manuel Ugarte made a favourable impression.
West Ham didn’t have to work too hard to take the lead and when they did it was as if Amorim was expecting it. Hello misery my old friend. The goal came from West Ham’s first shot on target, plunging Old Trafford into the now familiar despair. It would only get worse.
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West Ham saw Erik ten Hag through the door with a 2-1 win in October. Could they have loosened Amorim’s hold on power with this? Graham Potter appeared no more secure following just three wins in 15 since replacing David Moyes. Yet here he was lording it at Old Trafford.
United are the ideal opponents for coaches seeking rehab and Potter left Manchester feeling sunnier than the unseasonably hot weather. The removal of Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen with 15 minutes remaining might be seen as top level shithousery. Take a rest boys, we’ve so got this.
Before his removal, Kudus was machine-like in his drilling of United’s defence. His partnership with Aaron Wan-Bissaka down the left was a feature of both West Ham goals, the pair sharing the assists for Tomas Soucek and Bowen to score oh-so-easy tap-ins.
The last time West Ham scored two at Old Trafford they won 3-2 in 1986. There was nothing nervy about this, leaving Soucek in particular with plenty to celebrate. “Three days ago my wife gave birth to my son so I scored the goal for him. For us and a new manager it’s so important to get three points.”
Potter agreed. “Very pleasing. Historically winning here has not been straightforward for West Ham, so a great day for our supporters. A step in the right direction after struggling to get results.”
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