Manchester United 1-0 West Ham: Three Talking Points

Manchester United come away with another three points at home in the Premier League after their 1-0 win against West Ham United on Sunday evening.

It was not their best performance of the season from an attacking point of view, but certainly up there from a defensive disposition. The back four, plus David de Gea, were exemplary in their efforts of keeping a clean sheet – in which they were successful.

Even though West Ham are treading near the bottom of the table, playing a David Moyes-led side is never an easy task, but Manchester United found a way through and will be delighted with the three points that takes them on the cusp of a top four position.

Here are three talking points from the game:

Defensive Unity Coming Together

It has been a long time coming for Manchester United to look defensive assured, but Erik Ten Hag has got them firmly on that path.

This season looked ropey, at best, given the first two games of the Premier League season which ended in humiliating defeats to Brighton and Brentford, but since then, the Red Devils have only conceded twice at home.

Even with the injured Raphael Varane, who has been magisterial in defence for Ten Hag, Man United are beginning to look like a well-oiled machine at the back, which Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot are leading forces of that revitalisation.

The Argentinean centre back has been a revelation under the Dutch manager, who he bought from his former club AFC Ajax for £50 million, and is comfortably one of Europe’s leading defenders on current form.

Dalot looks a man transformed after his season-long loan last year, learning the Italian way of defending and having director Paolo Maldini guiding him. The Portugal international showcased a defensive masterclass on Sunday evening with his spatial awareness and defensive positioning.

Harry Maguire has come back into the team after injury and, apart from a few mistakes in the first half, looked to grow into the game, especially in the second half. It has been a rocky 12 months for the Englishman, with bigger tests to come, but he came through with a positive performance when the scrutiny was firmly on him; as well as being under the eye of Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.

Ten Hag has this team ticking and that begins with the defensive unit, no matter who comes in and plays.

Marcus Rashford Has Found His Swagger

Similarly to a few of the other England players in this Manchester United team, Marcus Rashford did not look himself last season and was playing on empty – completely devoid of any confidence whatsoever.

However, under Ten Hag, who has been using him as either an inside forward off the left or through the middle as an alternative to Cristiano Ronaldo, the England international has stepped up to the plate.

With 10 goal involvements in 15 appearances in all competitions this season, Rashford is looking like his old self and some. With his brilliantly timed headed finish against the Hammers, it was the first time that the Red Devils fans saw that Rashford was capable of being an aerial threat.

Timing could not be better for Rashford with the World Cup exactly 21 days away and Southgate in the stands to watch him closely. England need more direct options in attack and Rashford certainly offers that, even if he has not been involved in the most recent camps.

It would be remiss of Southgate not to call him up to the squad with the current form he is in – with the same being said of Luke Shaw.

Casemiro Is Essential To Manchester United

While Manchester United fans of course knew of the level Casemiro was playing at for a decade in Spain at Real Madrid, not many expected him to be this commanding and have such a ginormous impact when introduced.

It has been no secret that the Red Devils have been in dire need of a defensive-minded midfielder for many a season, and so the arrival of the Brazil international was a superb signing.

But not many thought that he would produce the level of performances that he is currently doing on a consistent basis as quickly as he has. It is hard to believe that Los Blancos saw Casemiro as surplus to requirements given the quality he possesses, in which he is showing it regularly.

Another reason as to why Manchester United’s defence has been improved is down to Casemiro’s presence. The Brazilian is exceptionally aware of what is around him and when to press the opposition to break up the opposition’s rhythm.

Not only is he clinical in winning the ball back, but having the foresight to see runners up ahead of him and quickly punch it into them to transition on the counter attack.

Casemiro has been a godsend for Ten Hag and Manchester United fans, who hope that the good performances long continue.