Manchester United's inconsistent season continued at Old Trafford on Thursday night as a late Soungoutou Magassa goal secured a 1-1 draw for West Ham United, a result met with audible frustration from the home support.
A Frustrating Night at the Theatre of Dreams
Ruben Amorim's side, looking to build on a comeback win at Crystal Palace, were left to rue missed chances and defensive lapses. The match ended with a chorus of boos, underlining the ongoing challenges in the team's rebuild under the new manager. This result followed a meek 1-0 home defeat to Everton in their previous outing at Old Trafford, highlighting a worrying pattern.
The hosts started sluggishly but gradually imposed themselves. Former United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka was on hand to clear a Joshua Zirkzee effort off the line for West Ham, while Bruno Fernandes saw a shot clip the outside of the post. The best chance of the first half fell to the visitors, however, with Alphonse Areola producing an excellent save to deny Bryan Mbeumo's curling effort.
Dalot's Delight Undone by Defensive Error
United emerged with more purpose after the break and found a breakthrough in the 58th minute. A deflected shot from Casemiro fell kindly to the unmarked Diogo Dalot inside the area. The wing-back showed great composure, taking a touch before slotting past Areola to send the Stretford End into raptures.
It looked to be the winning goal, but West Ham, who had dug deep throughout, found a route back into the game. With just seven minutes of normal time remaining, the Hammers won a corner. Substitute Andy Irving delivered, Jarrod Bowen flicked it on at the near post, and after Noussair Mazraoui cleared off the line, the ball fell perfectly for Soungoutou Magassa to fire home the loose ball.
Consequences and the Road Ahead
The 83rd-minute equaliser was a gut punch for United and entirely avoidable, stemming from a failure to deal decisively with a set-piece. West Ham almost snatched all three points moments later when Bowen created another chance, which was hacked clear by Amad Diallo. Fernandes blazed wide in stoppage time, and the final whistle confirmed a share of the points.
The result leaves questions over United's defensive solidity and game management. For Nuno Espirito Santo's West Ham, it was a hard-earned and valuable point, with man-of-the-match Magassa the hero. For Amorim's Red Devils, it was another frustrating evening that demonstrated the rebuild at Old Trafford still has a considerable way to go.
