Ericson Mangoli
Manchester United 1-1 West Ham: Red Devils move into top-four as Hammers secured a Premier League survival with a hard-fought 1-1 away draw.
(African Stand) — Manchester United need a point from their final game to clinch a Champions League place after coming from behind to draw against West Ham.
United need a point from their final game to clinch a Champions League place after coming from behind to draw against West Ham.
A Michail Antonio penalty separated the two sides in a first-half of few chances, but United responded immediately in the second with an exquisitely crafted team goal finished off by Mason Greenwood.
Any thoughts the Hammers were already on their holidays were deeply mistaken, however, as they defended superbly to clinch safety.
If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. David Moyes – returning to Old Trafford for just the second time since his 2014 dismissal – made no changes to the side that beat Watford 3-1 last time out with the Hammers on a two-match winning run.
David de Gea retained his place in goal after a pair of costly errors against Chelsea, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer voicing his backing prior to kick-off. Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba, and Greenwood were all reinstated to the side.
West Ham set up to play on the break and it paid off on the stroke of half-time. The Hammers were awarded a penalty after Pogba inexplicably handled a Declan Rice thunderbolt in the box, the in-form Antonio converting for his sixth goal in three games.
A fired-up United equalised shortly after the break, Greenwood – making his 50th appearance for the Red Devils – with a magnificent goal. He played a swift one-two with Anthony Martial, before dropping the shoulder and firing home with his left.
The home side’s intensity looked to fade as the second have drawn to a close, but Solskjaer brought on loanee Odion Ighalo as one last throw of the dice. He squandered a glorious opportunity moments after coming on, however, as he failed to hit the target following Greenwood’s cut-back.
The Hammers entered the game six points off the drop with two games remaining. And while no Premier League team has ever been relegated in that predicament, a crucial point now mathematically guarantees their safety.
United, on the other hand, missed a chance to take a huge leap towards Champions League qualification with a victory.
The Red Devils will at the very least be fourth heading into Sunday’s final day meeting with Leicester but know a defeat at the King Power could cost them a top-four finish.
