DBasia.news – Manchester United won an important victory in the target finish in the Champions League zone. Hosting West Ham United at Old Trafford in Week 34 of the Premier League, United won 2-0.
That victory was enough for Man United to keep their hopes of finishing in the Champions League zone. United climbed to fifth place, shifting Arsenal who had just played against Watford on Tuesday (4/16) WIB.
Despite the win, Man United in fact have not played convincingly as throughout the game West Ham were more aggressive when launching attacks. The host tend to rely on layered defense and counterattacks – exactly as Louis van Gaal said.
United, who came down with a 4-3-3 tactic, managed to excel when the referee awarded a penalty in the 17th minute. Robert Snodgrass violated Juan Mata who tried to kick the ball from Anthony Martial’s pass. Paul Pogba became the executor of the penalty and carried out his duties well. United were 1-0 ahead.
That advantage lasted until the first half ended. But, United were fortunate as David De Gea, United’s goalkeeper, performed brilliantly to secure opportunities from West Ham who played aggressively through Felipe Anderson and Javier Hernandez’s pace.
In the second half, it didn’t take long for West Ham to equalize the position. In the 49th minute Anderson grabbed a cross bait from Manuel Lanzini and was at the far post when he struck the ball. The 1-1 position is equally strong.
The goal from Anderson was responded to by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer by including Marcus Rashford, Andreas Pereira and Mason Greenwood, to change the game of his team and aim for a goal to return to the lead.
Pellegrini also replaced his players when putting Grady Diangana and Michail Antonio replacing Lanzini and Hernandez. The course of the match became increasingly tense for United as West Ham repeatedly launched an attack.
It was only in the 79th minute that United’s counter-attack, which began with Martial, resulted in a penalty when he was dropped by Ryan Fredericks, a new player who came on for Pablo Zabaleta. Pogba returned to being the executor and carried out his duties well. United were back ahead 2-1.
No more goals were created until six minutes in the second half ended. United won with a score of 2-1.
Player composition:
Manchester United (4-3-3): David de Gea; Diogo Dalot, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo (Andreas Pereira 75 ‘); Fred, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata (Marcus Rashford 55 ‘); Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial, Romelu Lukaku (Mason Greenwood 75 ‘).
Manager: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
West Ham United (4-2-3-1): Lukasz Fabianski; Pablo Zabaleta (Ryan Fredericks 76 ‘), Fabian Balbuena, Angelo Ogbonna, Arthur Masuaku; Declan Rice, Mark Noble; Robert Snodgrass, Manuel Lanzini (Grady Diangana 62 ‘), Felipe Anderson; Javier Hernandez (Michail Antonio 73 ‘).
Manager: Manuel Pellegrini