Lineups -
Manchester United (4-4-2): De Gea; Rafael, McNair, Rojo, Shaw; Blind, Herrera (Valencia, 74),Di Maria (Thorpe, 90); Rooney, Falcao (Fletcher, 64), Van Persie.
West Ham United (4-2-3-1): Adrian; Demel (Jenkinson, 64), Tomkins, Reid, Cresswell; Song, Poyet (Nolan, 75); Amalfitano, Downing, Sakho; Valencia.
Report
Manchester United for the first time this season showed some character in defence as 10 men United got themselves a hard-fought win over West Ham at Old Trafford. Captain Rooney got a straight red for a reckless challenge on Stewart Downing.
The home side, made a blistering start with two scrumptious goals from the captain Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie. The captain who with a sublime finish gave the hosts a well deserved lead. Minutes later, it was time for Robin to match his Batman by a goal after being set up by their new henchman Radamel Falcao.
Ander Herrera was immense for United in midfield as the Spaniard was key in transiting play from attack to defence. He also was instrumental in both the goals scored by the hosts. If not for his early departure due to a supposed hip injury, he was surely the MOTM.
West Ham got one back through Diafra Sakho, who pounce on some horrendous goalkeeping error by David De Gea. It was a fairly evened out game post the Hammers goal.
In second half, the action was on the verge of replicating the first, till Wayne Rooney had his moment of madness. His red card, turned the tide for the visitors. West Ham tried to capitalize on the man advantage and were close on quite a few occasions to get that crucial equalizer.
United’s new look defence consisting of teenage debutantes in Luke Shaw and Paddy McNair showed enough grit and dug in their heels to deny anything to the barrage of Hammers’ attacks. Both the debutantes were very impressive. Days where there are question marks over the character over the current United backline, all the four defenders showed immense character to give their side all the 3 points against West Ham.
West Ham almost got their prized equalizer via Kevin Nolan in the dying minutes of regulation time, but he was marginally offside and was spotted accurately by the linesman.
Hammers thoroughly deserved a point but it was the gritty-ness if the erstwhile United sides which came to the fore and denied the visitors any points at the Theatre of Dreams.
MOTM – Rafael.
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