Jesse Lingard netted the winner and David De Gea saved a stoppage-time penalty as Manchester United came from behind to secure a 2-1 win away at West Ham on Sunday.
Manchester United often found themselves behind on the road last season – including at the London Stadium – and once again conceded an early opener, with Said Benrahma’s effort finding the back of the net after a wicked deflection off Raphael Varane.
That goal seemed to spark the visitors into action as they grabbed that much-needed equaliser just minutes later through Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portugal international almost inevitably getting on the scoresheet after a delightful ball in from Bruno Fernandes.
Ronaldo again went close to scoring just after the interval, before the game really sparked into life in the final few minutes, former West Ham loanee Jesse Lingard coming off the bench and curling in a stunning effort to give his side the lead.
That had looked to be the winner before the momentum swung again, with the hosts awarded a stoppage-time penalty for a handball by Luke Shaw. Unfortunately for David Moyes’ side, the decision to bring club captain Mark Noble off the bench for the spot-kick ultimately backfired, as his effort was parried away by David De Gea.
Following that dramatic encounter, take a look at how the player rated…
West Ham
Lukasz Fabianski – 7
The Poland international may be slightly frustrated not to have kept hold of Cristiano Ronaldo’s initial effort for the equaliser, yet had previously reacted superbly to tip Bruno Fernandes’ strike onto the post and went on to deny Ronaldo with a fine stop after the interval.
Vladimir Coufal – 6
The ever-reliable full-back was his usual industrious self down the right flank and produced a classy back heel in the build-up to the opener. Was dealt a hard task having to deal with the rampaging Luke Shaw and Paul Pogba down the left.
Kurt Zouma – 7
The former Chelsea man looked impressive on his first league start for the club, putting his body on the line so often and dealing with most that came into the penalty area. Was, however, potentially at fault for allowing Jesse Lingard to cut inside for what proved to be the game’s winning goal.
Angelo Ogbonna – 7
Like his new centre-back partner, the Italian was incredibly solid up against the in-form Ronaldo and was unfortunate to be on the losing side in truth.
Aaron Cresswell – 5
The Englishman was perhaps culpable for failing to deal with Ronaldo in the build-up to the first goal and couldn’t react quick enough following Fabianski’s initial stop. Could well have had an assist had Nikola Vlasic converted a good opportunity in the first-half.
Tomas Soucek – 6
West Ham’s midfield duo looked a cut above United’s ‘McFred’ partnership, with Soucek putting in a typically combative display in what was a hard-fought encounter.
Declan Rice – 7
The Englishman is reportedly on the Red Devils radar and showed just why, showcasing his excellent knack of breaking up play and retaining possession, while also developing a penchant for surging forward from his defensive midfield slot.
Jarrod Bowen – 7
Part of a fluid forward line in the absence of Michail Antonio, the former Hull City winger was a real bright spark for the Hammers and a constant thorn in the side of the United defence. Teed up Benrahma for the opener and twice went close to getting himself on the scoresheet. Withdrawn in the dying minutes for Mark Noble.
Said Benrahma – 7
Has been much improved this season and continued that fine form by netting the game’s opener, firing in from the edge of the box, albeit with the aid of a wicked deflection. Did drift out of the game somewhat in the latter stages, but continues to look like an increasingly important player for the Hammers.
Pablo Fornals – 6
The Spaniard went close with a cheeky flick midway through the second-half and looked lively throughout, before being withdrawn in place of Manuel Lazini for the final few minutes.
Nikola Vlasic – 5
A quiet afternoon for the deadline day arrival as he struggled to really make an impact. Squandered an excellent chance in the first-half when he blazed over the bar after Cresswell’s pull back.
Subs
Andriy Yarmolenko – 5
Came on with more than 20 minutes to play yet struggled to make any real impact through the middle.
Manuel Lazini – No Impact
Mark Noble – 4
What must Mark Noble be thinking right now? Thrust into the action with the sole purpose of taking a spot-kick, the usually reliable penalty taker squandered the chance to nick a late point, in what is his final season with his boyhood club.
Man Utd
David de Gea – 7
Made a good save with his feet to deny Jarrod Bowen, although could do little about the hosts’ early goal, with the Spaniard wrong-footed by a wicked ricochet off teammate Varane. Produced the game’s defining moment to deny Mark Noble’s stoppage time penalty, his first spot-kick save since April 2016.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6
Came under fire for his clumsy – and costly – red card against Young Boys in midweek, yet produced a positive display against David Moyes’ side, offering an outlet down the right-flank. Still needs to improve upon his delivery from wide areas, however.
Raphael Varane – 7
Once again looked the more composed of the two United centre-back’s and appears unafraid to do the dirty work required after making the switch from La Liga. Made a pivotal block to deny Bowen early on, although was unfortunate to see Benrahma’s strike deflect off of him and into the back of the net.
Harry Maguire – 6
After a string of excellent displays at Euro 2020, the England international has underwhelmed in the early weeks of the season despite the arrival of the man above. Was fortunate not to see Bowen capitalise on his carelessness on the ball early on.
Luke Shaw – 7
The 26-year-old was a constant menace down the left-flank having been afforded an abundance of space out wide, yet must have thought he’d cost his side after being penalised for handball in the dying minutes.
Scott McTominay – 5
Perhaps he’d simply been rushed back too soon, but the Scotland international looked distinctly off the pace, particularly in the early stages, and was perhaps fortunate not to be withdrawn. Did play a superb pass to Ronaldo in the first-half which the forward failed to capitalise on.
Fred – 5
Like his midfield colleague, it was another far from convincing performance from the polarising Brazilian, as he squandered possession simply far too often.
Mason Greenwood – 6
Wasn’t at his best in the win over Newcastle last weekend, yet looked much sharper against the Hammers, notably sliding in Ronaldo who lashed an effort straight at Fabianski from the angle.
Bruno Fernandes – 8
As ever the playmaker was United’s main man, providing the creative spark needed against a stubborn Hammers backline. Unlocked the door with a delightful dinked cross to tee up compatriot Ronaldo for the equaliser.
Paul Pogba – 6
Deployed in what looks to be his favoured role out on the left-wing, the Frenchman showed glimpses of his best with a few surging runs, yet didn’t create much of any real note. Withdrawn in place of Jadon Sancho midway through the second-half.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 7
United were looking for inspiration from somewhere and once again the Portugal international stepped up to drag his side back into the game, netting his fourth goal in just three games after converting from close range. Did have other chances to add to his tally, notably just minutes after the interval, while much of his second-half showing saw him making frequent penalty appeals.
Subs
Jadon Sancho – 6
It’s been a tough start to life at the club for the 21-year-old and he once again struggled to really make an impact off the bench.
Jesse Lingard – 8
Many expected the Englishman to have been lining up for the opposition after his heroics for the Hammers last season, yet as it is he remains a United player and looks likely to feature heavily this season, having netted for the second successive league game. And boy what a strike it was, the substitute netting what proved to be the winner with a stunning curling effort.
Nemanja Matic – No impact
