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It was yet another stellar display by Manchester United, who came from behind to beat West Ham United in London Stadium.
The visitors didn’t have the first half they would have expected as they were heavily dominated by the host and were trailing when Soucek, scored for West Ham in the 38th minute. However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be proud by the grit shown by his players in the second half, especially by his substitutions- Rashford and Bruno Fernandes.
Full time: West Ham 1- Manchester United 3
A brilliant second half helps United past West Ham 🔥 pic.twitter.com/PZTUeFncCu
— 433 (@433) December 5, 2020
ABOUT THE GAME
United lined up with their usual formation of 4-2-3-1, with the likes of Henderson, Cavani and Van de Beek in the starting line-up as both Bruno and Rashford were on the bench, while West Ham were lined up as 3-4-2-1.
It was obvious to see from the first half display that the reds were lacking a leader up front in the form of Bruno Fernandes. The no.18 has played a pivotal role in Solskjaer’s team but was made to be on the bench for the first half along with another star player, Marcus Rashford.
No start, no problem 💪
Bruno Fernandes has produced either a goal or assist in each of the 12 #PL away matches he's played. He's amassed 127 points on the road since joining Man Utd#FPL #WHUMUN pic.twitter.com/6uZAkhMxwZ
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 6, 2020
David Moyes’s men were attacking from the start of the game and were looked to pose a great threat to United. They did put the ball in the net but Bowen was flagged offside in the 8th minute. It took United some time to get the hold of the game but went a goal down when Soucek scored in the 38th minute of the game and till the half time whistle the United performance was starting to look worse and were considered lucky that they conceded just one goal despite that type of display in the first half. It was obvious that United were missing someone in the mid-field.
💫 @MasonGreenwood 💫
A magic moment as Mason hits #MUFC goal no. 2️⃣0️⃣
#️⃣ #WHUMUN
🏆 #PL@GulfOilIntl pic.twitter.com/WKTB0ArOYp— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 5, 2020
Second half started well for United as Bruno and Rashford replaced Van de Beek and Cavani, respectively. The United players were coordinating much better but Solskjaer was forced to take out Martial at 62nd minute as he was injured and couldn’t carry on.
However, from that point on, it was a classic united show. At 65th minute Bruno played a pass to Paul Pogba, who curled the ball in the top-right corner of the net. It was a beautiful long range goal by United’s no.6.
9 – Man Utd are only the second side in Premier League history to score 2+ goals in nine consecutive away games after Leeds in April 2001. Spirited.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 5, 2020
And just 6 minutes after Pogba’s goal, Mason Greenwood gave united the lead when he controlled Alex Telles’s difficult cross and fired past the goalkeeper to make it 2-1 for the visitors. Another superb finish from the young English star.
Marcus Rashford also came close to score in 72nd minute from Bruno’s pass but hit the post. However, in the 78th minute he chipped the goalkeeper after receiving Mata’s sublime ball over Fabianski.
At the end of the game West Ham did try to find some chances but United’s keeper, Dean Henderson was brilliant between the posts as he made some amazing saves.
20 – Since the start of last season, Mason Greenwood has scored 20 goals in all competitions, twice as many as any other teenager playing for a Premier League side (Martinelli, 10). Starlet. pic.twitter.com/jacQXbSJEK
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 5, 2020
INSIGHTS FROM THE GAME
- Bruno Fernandes has been directly involved in 36 goals in 38 games for United in all competitions- 5 more than any other player in this period, since his debut in February.
- Bruno Fernandes created 8 chances from open play against West Ham. The most by any player in PL game this season. Also, it is the most that any player has created in a PL game for Manchester United in a decade. And he just played 45 minutes!
- Manchester United have now won more points from losing positions than any other team in Pl history (385), after this win.
- Manchester United have now won consecutive 9 games away from home.
- Manchester United have won their first 5 away games in a league campaign for the first time since 1985-86.
