Manchester United suffered a 17th league defeat of the season – their most in over 50 years – as West Ham ended their own poor run with victory at Old Trafford.
Not for the first time this season, any momentum United built up in the previous game was dashed immediately as Ruben Amorim’s much-changed side slipped to 16th in the Premier League table.
Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen scored for the Hammers, who ended an eight-game winless streak and moved above United and Spurs as a result.
We are beaten at Old Trafford.#MUFC || #MUNWHU
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 11, 2025
Changes fail to spark life into United
Amorim made six changes to the side that beat Athletic Bilbao in midweek to secure a place in the Europa League final with two-goal hero Mason Mount included.
But, despite a bright start in which Amad Diallo was prominent, Soucek put the visitors ahead after 26 minutes and Bowen doubled their advantage 12 minutes into the second half to confirm a victory that eases the pressure on coach Graham Potter.
Diallo set up Bruno Fernandes to fire a shot over the bar after four minutes before testing Alphonse Areola with a shot from inside the box.
In between those two efforts, Max Kilman headed over a trademark, whipped free-kick from James Ward-Prowse when he ought to have hit the back of the net.
Soucek did better 18 minutes later as West Ham hit the front.
Former United full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka started the move by playing in Mohammed Kudus and his low cross was cleverly turned in by the Czech midfielder.
Wasteful Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund wasted two opportunities before the break, firing the first over the bar after more good work from Diallo and the second wide after escaping the attentions of Kilman.
West Ham could’ve netted a second immediately after the restart but Ward-Prowse’s shot was tame and easily saved by Altay Bayindir.
Leny Yoro limped off shortly after after being caught on the foot and looked upset as he went straight down the tunnel accompanied by United’s medical staff.
Despite his absence, United almost equalised after 54 minutes.
Referee Jarred Gillett waved away Diallo’s claims for a penalty after he appeared to run into Soucek with Mount’s follow-up effort well saved by Areola.
It was to prove a pivotal moment as, from their next attack, West Ham doubled their lead.
Manuel Ugarte lost the ball in midfield and the combination of Kudus and Wan-Bissaka combined again to find Bowen and he made no mistake.
Areola stands firm for Hammers
United laid siege to the West Ham goal in search of a way back into the game but to no avail.
Substitute Alejandro Garnacho shot into the sidenetting, Hojlund headed wide before then seeing an effort saved by Areola while Harry Maguire nodded Diallo’s corner inches off-target.
United continued to pour forward but found Areola in stunning form.
The Frenchman saved well from another Maguire header before producing a magnificent block to deny the luckless Hojlund. Victor Lindelof then saw his rebound blocked.
The charge eventually subsided and Ward-Prowse could have rubbed salt into United wounds but saw his late effort saved by Bayindir.
