3
Manchester United travelled to the London Stadium hoping for a rare win in the nation’s capital.
Andre Onana started in goal after his heroic double save against Fenerbahce in midweek, while Noussair Mazraoui returned to his more familiar full back role after his adventure at number 10 in Istanbul. Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot rounded out the back four.
Erik ten Hag opted for an experienced midfield with Casemiro partnering Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes making a return after being suspended for the Europa League clash.
Rasmus Hojlund was welcomed back to the starting line up with Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho providing the attacking threat from the wings.
Here are four things we learned from the clash.
United’s wastefulness shows no sign of disappearing
The Red Devils have struggled all season to score, converting a paltry seven chances in eight matches before this afternoon’s game.
Ten Hag’s side have been incredibly wasteful in front of goal all season, missing big chances as if they were going out of fashion.
United began the match against West Ham with gusto, creating five chances in the first 15 minutes but somehow managed to not score any of them.
Garnacho smashed the ball against the crossbar before firing wide from a one-on-one situation when he really should have hit the target.
In a scarcely believable first half, Dalot, Hojlund and Fernandes also missed clear-cut chances to give the away side a deserved lead and only compound United fans’ worries that this could be a consistent issue that will plague the team all season.
Casemiro continues to show he can still contribute
The Brazilian had a wonderful first season at Old Trafford but his time in Manchester has been significantly more complicated since August 2023.
Whilst being far from perfect and suffering the indignity of being subbed off at half-time versus Liverpool, he has improved this season.
Summer signing Manuel Ugarte has shown signs of improvement as of late but Casemiro has had to shoulder the responsibility of being the side’s first choice number six and has steadily improved as the season has worn on.
His improved showings were rewarded with a well-taken equaliser late on and he he was also unlucky not to open the scoring when his first half header was well saved from the veteran West Ham keeper.
Another London away day struggle
In Europe and domestically, United have played seven games away from home this season and have only won one of them, a 3-0 win at Southampton.
The Red Devils had only won two of their last 17 matches in London, both against Fulham, before their latest defeat.
What’s more, ten of the last 18 matches have been losses as they have floundered in the nation’s capital.
Whilst winning away from home is statistically more complicated than taking three points at home, a side of United’s ilk should not struggle to do so as much as they do.
This can only be put down to Ten Hag’s tactics and inability to prepare the team for the rigours of an away day in England’s premier division.
United going nowhere fast under Erik ten Hag
There was much talk on Ten Hag’s future during the last international break but no action was taken by United’s decision makers as they opted to keep the much-maligned coach.
There have been reports that United are keen not to fire him due to the high compensation fees that would be owed but with the side sitting in 14th place with 11 points from nine matches and a fourth loss before Halloween, it is hard to see what Ineos are trying to achieve.
United games under Ten Hag follow a familiar depressing theme this season of missed chances and then being punished for their wastefulness and there are no signs of United turning it around.
With a snake pit of competitive teams in the Premier League, a Champions League spot already seems a tough ask but the Europa League and cups are still very much left to play for. With every game Ten Hag is left in charge, it appears the club are unnecessarily throwing in the towel for yet another season.
Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
