Manchester United's hopes of back-to-back Premier League victories were dashed by a late, gut-wrenching equaliser from West Ham United's Soungoutou Magassa at Old Trafford on Thursday night. The 1-1 draw, sealed in the 83rd minute, prompted a chorus of boos from the home support at the final whistle, underlining the ongoing frustrations in Ruben Amorim's rebuild.
Dalot Strike Overshadowed by Defensive Lapse
The match followed a familiar pattern of United dominance without a killer edge. After a sluggish start, the hosts grew into the game. Bruno Fernandes saw a first-half effort graze the post, while former Red Devil Aaron Wan-Bissaka was on hand to clear a Joshua Zirkzee effort off the line for the Hammers.
The breakthrough finally came in the 58th minute. A deflected effort from Casemiro fell kindly to the unmarked Diogo Dalot inside the box. The wing-back took a deft touch before calmly slotting past Alphonse Areola, sending the Stretford End into raptures and seemingly setting United on course for three points.
Magassa's Late Hammer Blow
Despite their possession, United failed to kill the game, and they were made to pay with just seven minutes of normal time remaining. A West Ham corner from substitute Andy Irving was flicked on at the near post by Jarrod Bowen. Noussair Mazraoui managed to hook the ball off the line, but it fell perfectly for Soungoutou Magassa to fire the loose ball high into the net.
It was a cruel and avoidable goal from a United perspective, stemming from their failure to decisively clear a set-piece. The goal transformed the atmosphere inside the stadium, with the visitors suddenly buoyant and the home side anxious.
Frustration Boils Over at Full-Time
The final moments saw West Ham almost snatch an unlikely winner, with Bowen again causing problems before Amad Diallo hacked clear. At the other end, Fernandes thumped a shot wide in stoppage time, summing up a night of missed opportunities.
The result leaves Ruben Amorim with plenty to ponder after his side followed up a poor home defeat to Everton with another underwhelming performance at Old Trafford. For Nuno Espirito Santo's West Ham, it was a hard-earned and valuable point, showcasing the resilience that has become their trademark.
The match also saw a difficult full Premier League debut for 19-year-old United defender Ayden Heaven, who was booked early on and substituted at half-time for Leny Yoro. For West Ham, man-of-the-match Magassa was the undeniable hero, capping a solid defensive display with his crucial late intervention.
