Wayne Rooney's red card hurt, but ultimately didn't sink Manchester United against West Ham.
Manchester United have grabbed three points from West Ham United, though not in comfortable fashion. Wayne Rooney was shown a straight red card while United were up 2-1, but they were able to hold onto that score until the end.
The Hammers got off to an absolutely horrible start in this game, and it looked like it could turn into a rout early on. Alex Song was carded in the 2nd minute, seriously limiting how he could play for the rest of the match, and West Ham eventually conceded three minutes after that. The goal was a brilliant one, with Rafael crossing into the center of the box and Rooney smashing a perfect first-time volley past Adrian.
United doubled their lead in the 22nd minute through Robin van Persie, who placed an exceptional finish into the back of the net off a West Ham turnover. Song tried to get too fancy in his own half and was dispossessed by Ander Herrera, leading to a Red Devils break. The ball found its way to van Persie, who went on a great individual dribbling run before beating Adrian at the far post.
Despite United looking well in control, they gifted West Ham a way back into the game in the 37th minute. David De Gea made a surprising decision to come out for a corner he couldn't claim, gifting Enner Valencia a header at an empty net. He hit the crossbar, but Diafra Sakho was in perfect position to nod in the rebound.
The game was fairly even to start the second half, with United looking in control, until Rooney's shocking red card in the 59th minute. With Stewart Downing threatening to break away, Rooney was in a position where he had to foul and likely pick up a yellow card to prevent a West Ham breakaway, but instead he unleashed a huge kick to Downing's midsection. Lee Mason rightfully showed him a straight red card for his actions.
West Ham had more of the ball and plenty of chances to score from then until the end of the match -- they ended up outshooting United despite not getting many off in the first 60 minutes -- but they didn't make De Gea do anything exceptional. Louis Van Gaal gradually made defensive subs, and they were good enough to guide United to a win.
Manchester United: De Gea, Shaw, Rojo, McNair, Rafael, Blind, Di Maria (Thorpe 90'), Herrera (Valencia 74'), Rooney (red 59'), van Persie, Falcao (Fletcher 65')
Goals: Rooney (5'), van Persie (22')
West Ham: Adrian, Cresswell, Reid, Tomkins, Demel (Jenkinson 65'), Poyet (Nolan 75'), Song, Sahko, Amalfitano (Cole 62'), Downing, Valencia
Goals: Sahko (37')
3 things
1. Can United find 3 attackers that are in form and not insane? - Manchester United have, theoretically, a good problem. They have Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Radamel Falcao and Juan Mata, and can generally only start three of them. Adnan Januzaj gives them even more excellent depth at attacking midfield. But so far, it's not working out for them. Van Persie was great on Saturday, but Rooney got himself sent off in hilarious fashion and Falcao was invisible. Mata's had a rough start to the season.
If United can get two or three of these guys in good form, they'll be very hard to stop. But so far this season, only one of them has been good at a time.
2. Patrick McNair isn't bad! - Much like fellow youngster Tyler Blackett, who was suspended for this game, fans didn't know much about McNair before this game. And, much like Blackett, he looked quite a bit more comfortable than anyone expected. Perhaps the Manchester United youth and reserves staff are really good at coaching defenders.
3. Alex Song is a liability - This game could have been over for West Ham in the 3rd minute if referee Lee Mason was more strict. Song committed two clear yellow card offenses -- both on Angel Di Maria -- within the game's first three minutes and picked up a warning, then a yellow. He had the turnover for van Persie's goal too. This kind of stuff is why Barcelona shipped him off, and it's even more punishing at a team like West Ham.
from SBNation.com - All Posts http://ift.tt/1njUfMK
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