MAN UTD 3, WEST HAM 0
On the day Manchester United remembered the victims of the Munich air disaster, the Reds climbed back into the Premier League’s top six after inflicting yet another loss on ex-boss David Moyes.
The Reds extended their unbeaten run to five games at home to West Ham, their best spell of the current campaign.
Two goals from Alejandro Garnacho and one from Rasmus Hojlund, on his 21st birthday, made it three wins and 11 goals in one week.
That contrasts to 10 goals in the 10 games prior to that as their form had been patchy and indifferent.
But with a lengthy injury list clearing and a full-strength side to choose from Erik ten Hag’s side is producing its best form of the season.
Ten Hag said: “I said before, when you don’t build on the last win then it is nothing. That was our challenge before, and the lads did it.
“I am happy with the way we played. We were a threat all the game through. When we serve our front line, we can score goals. They can be direct and score goals.”
Ten Hag praised 20-year-old Hojlund who is in his best spell of form.
“His confidence is growing. He is playing better on the ball. He is a target and he is linking up. It is about togetherness.”
On young players like Hojlund, Garnacho and Mainoo, ten Hag added: “The future for Manchester United is very good because we have high potentials.
“I think that picture covers the lot, how they are together and want to play football with adventure and enjoyment. If we keep this process going, I am sure we will achieve high levels.
“We are building a team. We signed young players and give them opportunities. This is a process with ups and downs, and we have to realise this.
“Our experienced players will help them, and we need them. They will help the young players perform.”
The only dampener was a knee injury sustained by Lisandro Martinez with ten Hag admitting it does not look good.
Moyes said: “No, I don’t think the scoreline was correct. Our performance in the main was much better. I am pleased with that but obviously not pleased with different aspects.
“We created a lot of chances but did not have our shooting boots on. We played much better today than at the London Stadium where we beat United.”
Embed from Getty ImagesOn Emerson’s miss to make it 1-1, before the Reds scored to make it 2-0, Moyes continued: “That tells you it just was not going to be our day. They broke away and they shoot, and it takes a big deflection and that makes it 2-0.
“We have been on a pretty good run without being at our best, with some players also away. I thought today we looked like it but goals have been a little hard to come by.
“Hopefully there’s a wee bit of mitigating circumstances and hopefully the goals will start flowing in the coming weeks.”
United made one change to the side that beat Wolves 4-3 on Thursday with Harry Maguire coming in for Raphael Varane at the back.
Sofyan Amrabat was back from Africa Cup of Nations duty to take his place on the bench alongside Victor Lindelof.
Moyes has made two changes to the West Ham team that drew 1-1 with Bournemouth at home on Thursday.
Vladimir Coufal came in for Konstantinos Mavropanoswhile Kalvin Phillips dropped to the bench in place of Nayef Aguerd.
The annual Munich memorial service took place outside Old Trafford as this was the closest fixture to February 6 when the tragedy took place 66 years ago.
The ‘Flowers of Manchester’ tribute song was played before kick off while managers ten Hag and Moyes laid wreaths.
The Hammers were denied an 11th minute opener by a super reflex save by Andre Onana.
Tomas Soucek’s header from James Ward-Prowse’s corner deflected off Edson Alvarez giving Onana little time to react.
That sparked the game to life and Bruno Fernandes’ 25-yard drive brought an equally fine stop from keeper Alphonse Areola.
The deadlock was broken mid-half when Hojlund scored his 10th goal of the season and his fifth in his last six appearances.
The Dan picked up the ball 25 yards out and forget forward with a shimmy before firing hard and low past Areola from the edge of the box.
The Hammers hit back as Ben Johnson and Mohammed Kudus both forced decent saves from Onana.
Emerson Palmieri missed a great chance for the Hammers soon after the restart, blazing over from six yards.
United immediately made it 2-0 in the 49th minute through Garnacho.
A diagonal ball from Bruno Fernandes released Garnacho who cut in from the right before his goalbound shot took a huge deflection off Nayek Aguerd to beat keeper Lukasz Fabianski who had replaced Areola at the break.
United made their first change in the 64th minute as Kobbie Mainoo made way for Scott McTominay.
Maguire was caught out by a ball over the top as Jarrod Bowen burst through on goal only for Diogo Dalot to get back to make a goal-saving block.
United were forced into a second switch when Martinez was forced off with a knee injury to be replaced by Varane.
The Reds sealed victory in the 84th minute when Garnacho was on target again after being set up by McTominay on a counterattack. It was his seventh goal of the season.
Ten Hag then made two further changes as Lindelof an Antony replaced Luke Shaw and Hojlund.