Manager Jose Mourinho’s time at the club looks to be numbered after Manchester United succumbed to a 1-3 defeat against West Ham on Saturday.
West Ham had won just once against the Premier League giants in 19 matches but the 3-1 victory meant Manchester United now made their worst start to the league season for 29 years.
United, who started the West Ham match eight points behind leaders Liverpool now stands at 10th with just 10 points after seven round of matches. The change in leadership at the top – Manchester City overtook Liverpool, but both are on same points (19) – also doesn’t look to inspire the Red Devils, who now seem well out of the title race.
But United’s poor form in the pitch is overshadowed by the rift between manager Mourinho and Paul Pogba growing by every day.
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It took just five minutes for West Ham to find the net as Felipe Anderson scored before Victor Lindelof deflected a shot into his own net. United pulled one back through Marcus Rashford goal but Marko Arnautovic ensured all three points with a 74th-minute strike.
Surprisingly, United started with three at the back as Scott McTominay returned to partner Lindelof and Chris Smalling at the back and with no Alexis Sanchez or Jesse Lingard on the matchday squad, United lacked creativity up-front.
The Hammers started well and in a space of five minutes went ahead in a space of five minutes when Mark Noble found Pablo Zabaleta down the right and the Argentine crossed the ball for Anderson to flick it home past David de Gea. United nearly pulled one back minutes later. But Romelu Lukaku’s attempted header from a set-piece kissed the post before running to safety.
The visitors slowly eased into the match getting more time on the ball. But their hopes for a comeback were shattered when Andriy Yarmolenko’s shot deflected West Ham into the net off Lindelof for an own goal.
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West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski then came up with his top performance stopping a certain Marouane Fellaini header that was goal bound. Mourinho replied with a double substitution, bringing Mata and Fred for Pogba and Anthony Martial.
It paid dividends as Rashford pulled one back with a fine back shot from a Luke Shaw corner in the 71st minute. But their aspirations of another goal did not last long as Arnautovic got into the act, receiving a wonderful through ball from skipper Noble before placing the ball past De Gea on goal.
But while Mourinho’s United continue to face the heat, Manuel Pellegrini side have now have gone unbeaten for three matches, winning two of those – against Manchester United and Everton – and drawing against Chelsea following the four straight defeats in the league.