Player reviews: Soucek and Bowen achieve when West Ham was defeated United

West Ham United returned to Old Trafford in Old Trafford on Sunday and defeated Manchester United 2-0, which summarizes the Grim Premier League season of the Red Devils. It was a game that underlined the strong contrast between two clubs in very different directions.

West Ham break the curse of Old Trafford

For West Ham United, this was not just another victory. This was her first Premier League victory in Old Trafford for 18 years of performance, which was last achieved in 2007, thanks to a now iconic Carlos Tevez goal. On this occasion it was Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen who delivered the decisive blows and scored in both halves to claim all three points for the side of Graham Potter.

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The performance of the hammers was characterized by tactical discipline and opportunism. Soucek opened the gate with a well -coordinated strike, while Bowen's end surpassed the game over reach in the second half. The visitors took up the pressure intelligently and remained even when Manchester United threatened a comeback.

United's fragile season continues

Ruben Amorim's comments in the past few weeks have not prevented any words. Manchester United manager described the Premier League campaign as a “unrestricted catastrophe”, and it is difficult to argue. This last defeat, United's 17th in the league this season, means that you cannot achieve higher than the 13th place.

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Although United occasionally showed promise – especially from Amad Diallo – United could not convert the possession into the purpose. Diallo himself was a constant threat and even called for a punishment shortly before West Ham's second goal. Rasmus Højlund, who found the network in Europe on Thursday, wasted several opportunities and summarized the attacking bluntness, which plagued through United all season.

With two games – against the contenders Chelsea and European HopeFuls Aston Villa – against the Champions League – the pressure is now exactly on Amorim to end the season with dignity, even if redemption has to wait until next year.

Key artists shine for hammers

Credit must go to the midfield of West Ham, where Guido Rodríguez and James Ward-Prowsse organize the procedure with authority. The admission of Aaron Wan-Bissaka as a left-wing midfielder proved to be inspired, with the former United Man being defensive and in the future. Bowen's pace and serenity were still a differentiator, and Potter's substitutions late in the game enabled the hammers to easily see the match.

Defensive frailty and missed possibilities

The defensive trio of United – Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw and Nussair Mazraoui – fought to claim control. While Shaw and Yoro looked rusty, Mazraoui offered short moments of insurance. Funken was missing in the midfield pairing by Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte, with Fernandes tried to dictate pace, but rarely found the cutting edge.

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Amorim's changes in the game brought energy, but no goals. Garnacho and Eriksen could not move the dynamics, and when West Ham's second to the body language among the home players, she told her own story.

Player reviews

Manchester United (3-4-2-1)

• CB: Nussair Mazraoui – 7

• Cm: Bruno Fernandes – 7

• St: Rasmus Højlund – 6

• Sub: Victor Lindelöf – 7

• Sub: Alejandro Garnacho – 6

• Sub: Christian Eriksen – 6

• Manager: Ruben Amorim – 5

West Ham United (3-5-2)

• GK: Alphonse Areola – 8

• CB: Jean-Clair Todibo-7

• CB: Aaron Cresswell – 7

• RM: Vladimir Coufal – 7

• Cm: Guido Rodríguez – 7

• Cm: James Ward-Prowsse-8

• LM: Aaron Wan-Bissaka-8

• Am: Tomas Soucek – 8 (player of the game)

• ST: Jarrod Bowen (C) – 7

• Sub: Niclas Fullkrug – 6

• Sub: Constantinos Mavropanos – 6

• Manager: Graham Potter – 8

The performance of West Ham on this day was everything that Manchester United was not – composed, coherent and clinical. It may be too late that the two club challenges the Premier League elite this season, but if the game on Sunday is doing something, one clearly builds up a foundation, while the other continues to look for stability.