Ruben Amorim's Manchester United fell to their 17th Premier League defeat of the season when they were beaten 2-0 at Old Trafford by fellow bottom-six club West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.
The Red Devils started the better of the two sides but failed to pose any significant threat to Alphonse Areola's goal, and considering that four of their five shots in the first half came from outside the box, and that they created just 0.37xG compared to West Ham's 0.81, it would be fair to say that they struggled creatively in the first 45.
The Hammers on the other hand opened the scoring on the 26-minute mark through Tomas Soucek, who was on hand to tap in at the end of an excellently worked move that began at the feet of returning player Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
After the interval, the 20-time champions showed some encouraging signs, but Jarrod Bowen doubled the visitors' lead just before the hour mark, courtesy of a Wan-Bissaka assist that took out four Manchester United defenders on its way across the box.
The hosts then piled forward and produced a flurry of chances, but with Alejandro Garnacho hitting the side netting, Rasmus Hojlund seeing his efforts saved and several players including Harry Maguire heading wide of the post, it was not meant to be for Amorim's men.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
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Amorim's iteration of Manchester United continue to struggle in the lower reaches of the Premier League, and after yet another loss, they are a shocking 16th with only 39 points.
Talismanic captain Bruno Fernandes, who has been linked with a move away from the club in the summer, looked visibly frustrated once again after his efforts to get his team back into the game were squandered by poor finishing from a number of players.
However, if the Red Devils can win the Europa League later this month then their domestic troubles are likely to be forgotten until next season.
Graham Potter's West Ham completed their first league double over Manchester United since 2006-07 and leapfrogged their opponents by taking all three points on Sunday.
Wan-Bissaka returned to haunt his former club and will take pride from contributing to both goals in a memorable win at Old Trafford.
MANCHESTER UNITED VS. WEST HAM UNITED HIGHLIGHTS
26th min: Manchester United 0-1 West Ham United (Tomas Soucek)
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Aaron Cresswell and Wan-Bissaka combine well with some slick passing on the left flank before the former Manchester United man cuts inside and plays a clever reverse pass to Mohammed Kudus, who drives towards the touchline - leaving Amad Diallo on the ground - and fires the ball across the box for Tomas Soucek to tap in at the back post.
57th min: Manchester United 0-2 West Ham United (Jarrod Bowen)
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Wan-Bissaka starts the Hammers' move by tackling Manuel Ugarte, and Kudus carries the ball towards the Red Devils' goal as their defence is caught off guard.
After the former Ajax star's shot is blocked by Victor Lindelof, the rebound falls to Wan-Bissaka, who picks out Bowen from the left-hand side of the goal with a precise pass through four Manchester United players, and the visitors' top scorer makes no mistake with another easy finish at the back post.
66th min: Rasmus Hojlund (Manchester United) missed chance
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MAN OF THE MATCH - AARON WAN-BISSAKA
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The former Manchester United right-back was playing on the left as a wing-back on Sunday, but he contributed to both goals in a memorable win over his old club.
The way he linked up with Cresswell before playing in Kudus to set up the opener and regained possession before laying on a direct assist for Bowen's second will be the standout memories from this game for both sets of fans.
MANCHESTER UNITED VS. WEST HAM UNITED MATCH STATS
Possession: Manchester United 52%-48% West Ham United
Shots: Manchester United 20-9 West Ham United
Shots on target: Manchester United 5-4 West Ham United
Corners: Manchester United 8-5 West Ham United
Fouls: Manchester United 3-13 West Ham United
BEST STATS
Manchester United have lost 17 league games in a single season for the first time in 51 years.
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 11, 2025
It's also just the second time in Premier League history that they've gone seven consecutive games without a win, last doing so in 1992. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/mhZOx1Xu1q
𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐭𝐝 𝟎-𝟐 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐦
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) May 11, 2025
Goals from Tomás Soucek and Jarrod Bowen see West Ham leapfrog Manchester United in the table.
It is Man Utd's ninth home league defeat of the season, their joint-most ever in a single league campaign, and most since 1962-63.#MUNWHU pic.twitter.com/1ahuTQ5BQO
WHAT NEXT?
Up next for Manchester United is a trip to London to face Chelsea next week, before the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur on May 21.
As for West Ham, they will host Champions League hopefuls Nottingham Forest at the London Stadium next weekend, prior to their final day clash against relegated Ipswich Town.
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