At 20:30 on December 23, Beijing time, the 18th round of the 2023-24 English Premier League ushered in a key battle: the top giant Manchester United played away against the old powerhouse West Ham United.
Manchester United, who returned to the Champions League as third runners-up last season, have not improved their results despite spending heavily to strengthen their squad in the summer window.
West Ham United, who won the Europa Conference League last season, have big ambitions, but their quality can't sustain their ambitions.
In the Premier League standings before the game, Manchester United ranked seventh with 28 points in 17 games, 9 wins, 1 draw and 7 losses, 1 point behind sixth Newcastle, 6 points behind fourth Manchester City, and 11 points behind the leader Arsenal.
West Ham United has 17 games, 8 wins, 3 draws and 6 losses, ranking ninth with 27 points, only 1 point less than Manchester United, and it is normal to be a little ambitious.
Then this battle is crucial for both sides.
Yes, Manchester United started the 4231 formation, center forward Hojlen, forward Garnacho, B Fee, Antony, double back Menou, McTominay, four defenders Luke Shaw, Evans, Eboura, Wan-Bissaka, goalkeeper Onana. The starting eleven is worth a total of 330 million euros.
West Ham United also started in a 4231 formation, with Bowen in the center, Paqueta, Prowse, and Kudus in the forward line, Soucek and Alvarez in the back four, Emerson, Zuma, Mavropanos, Caofal, and goalkeeper Areola. The starting eleven is worth a total of 340 million euros. It's even more than Manchester United.
After the start of the game, West Ham dominated the on-field attack. In the 5th minute, Emerson took the ball in the box and hit the goal with his left foot, which was saved by Onana.
In the 17th minute, Bowen took the ball at the top of the arc and hit the goal with his feet, but it missed.
In the 35th minute, Antony made a direct stop, Garnacho formed a one-on-one, but the shot was blocked by Areola.
In the 39th minute, Mavronanos made a mistake in interception, and Garnacho formed a one-on-one forward, this time he chose to cross without a shot, and was blocked by the defender.
In the 40th minute, Menou took a long shot from outside the penalty area, which was saved by Areola.
In the 44th minute, Antony crossed from the right and Garnacho's shot hit the side-netting.
In first-half stoppage time, West Ham took a free-kick in front of goal, and Soucek's header was deflected.
In the 60th minute, Hojlen, who started the game without a single shot, was replaced by Rashford.
In the 72nd minute, Paqueta broke through the United defence with an overhead cross, Bowen stepped forward to unload the ball, Onana fell to the ground and failed to break the ball, Bowen sent the ball into the goal. West Ham United lead Manchester United 1-0.
In the 78th minute, it was Paqueta who sent a wonderful pass, and Kudus scored the goal. West Ham 2:0 Manchester United.
In the end, Manchester United lost 0-2, and still accumulated 28 points from 18 games, falling to eighth in the Premier League standings, and West Ham United rose to sixth with 30 points. Ten Hag's team was able to draw with Liverpool away, but why did it lose to West Ham United? It's very simple, playing Liverpool, he knew that he couldn't win, he stubbornly defended to keep the draw, and he was lucky to really draw, playing West Ham, he wanted to win, but he didn't have enough strength to beat the opponent, and as a result, the attack was not opened, and the air defense was empty.