Ghana’s star, M. Kudus shines as West Ham thrash Manchester United 2-0

Manchester United continued their downward trend after the Red Devils were condemned to a 2-0 defeat by West Ham United.

West Ham scored twice in six minutes to compound United’s woes at the London Stadium.

Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus gave the home side the needed goals to move the club to 7th on the Premier League log.

Erik ten Hag’s team has lost more games this season in all competitions than they have won, with Manchester United having won only one of their past five top-division games.

West Ham manager David Moyes, speaking to BBC Match of the Day, said, “I thought we got much better in the second half, I said at half-time we never got in behind enough we never threatened them enough. Some good bits of play in front but didn’t get anywhere, second half we looked much better. When you need someone to find a perfect pass, [Lucas] Paqueta comes up with a brilliant pass for [Jarrod] Bowen.

“He’s fearless, he’s willing to take passes on and try them and make things happen. When you’ve got people running in behind and Jarrod gets another goal off him.”

On his part, Erik Ten Hag lamented the failure of his team to secure a win in London while acknowledging how difficult West Ham was.

He said, “We tried. West Ham weren’t running behind us for a long period in the game and then they got the goal and then of course you encourage the team. From that they were very aggressive defending the box and from that moment it’s difficult to create a chance.”

On United’s poor record against top opposition: “At this moment we are not top, but we have seen last week against the top of this league we were head-to-head. We didn’t score, we had the best opportunities of the game. There we defended very well for 90 minutes, that has to be always our standard like what we did there. You have to bring that to every game on the pitch.”

West Ham face a London derby against title-chasing Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday;. The Hammers’ first fixture of 2024 sees them host Brighton on January 2.

Manchester United are next in action on Boxing Day as they welcome title contenders Aston Villa to Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag’s side then go to Nottingham Forest for their final game of 2023 on December 30.