Manchester United Booed for Yet Another 0-0 Draw: Three Talking Points From the West Ham Game

Booing has become a regular happening at Old Trafford these days and those boos aren’t directed at the opposition, but at Manchester United themselves. It happened once again, as the Red Devils were held to another dull 0-0 draw, this time though against Slaven Bilic’s West Ham United, in a game that saw United have just a single shot on target throughout the game. The draw left United at fourth in the table, behind Arsenal, Manchester City and table toppers Leicester, three points adrift of fifth-placed Tottenham.

The game, strangely, though, happened to be one in which all three of David Moyes’ signings at United played on the same pitch for the very first time.

United fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Marouane Fellaini in the hole behind Martial, who played up top, flanked by Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata. Matteo Darmian was deployed as a left-back while Paddy McNair was slotted in at right back. When it comes to West Ham United, the Hammers started with a 4-1-4-1 formation, that helped them for transiting into a 4-5-1 rather swiftly, such that they can break forward with more ease. So, here’s what we learnt from another dull Old Trafford evening.

1.United look slightly better in Rooney’s absence

Wayne Rooney’s exclusion meant United had to make do without him, allowing Marouane Fellaini to make a rare start in the number ten role, just behind Anthony Martial. Fellaini looked a threat whenever someone found him in the box and although, couldn’t score the goal but looked good on the ball too.

The United play looked a tad silky and quicker in Rooney’s absence. It looked a bit more spacey and open than it looks in his presence. Fellaini’s aerial presence was a threat to the Hammers’ defense and although, Fellaini could’ve done a better overall, but it wasn’t sluggish or as slow as it was against Leicester or PSV.

2.The defense isn’t as sound as we think

West Ham got a limited amount of opportunities but couldn’t put away even one of them. And all of them were scorable ones that they could’ve capitalized on to grab the lead or even the game. People have talked about Smalling and Blind being one of the best defensive pairs in the league, it has come down to luck, especially in this game.

West Ham hit the bar through Winston Reid once, while Mauro Zarate missed a sitter early in the second half. If they could’ve taken the chances, United would’ve lost the game, extinguishing claims that the duo is one of the best in the league right now. Luck at the back has created a fake image of the United defense that suggests that it is top notch, but it isn’t the case.

3. Chances were created, finishing the prime problem

The game wasn’t too boring, to sound honest. Both sides had their fair share or opportunities to bring the game to life, but it wasn’t meant to be. United especially, could’ve score twice or thrice provided they’d taken advantage of the opportunities that fell to them.

Jesse Lingard fired wide from close range after West Ham cleared a Juan Mata free kick. Anthony Martial sent a shot whiskers past the right-hand post in the second half, while Marouane Fellaini failed to put away a glorious opportunity in the second half.

As mentioned earlier, West Ham to could’ve taken the lead, but they couldn’t thanks to poor finishing. The positive for United was that they looked good, when it comes to creating chances but failed in finishing them off. They looked bright after Memphis came on, but lackadaisical finishing led to a 0-0 draw.