On the face of it, a contest between the attacking talent of Manchester United and West Ham should not be a contest at all. One club is one of the world’s biggest, with a group of forwards and wingers bought for upwards of £350m while the Hammers – despite their current joyous streak of European form – have been far more modest in their acquisitions. Substantial sums, but not excessive. Yet four months into this season, the contrast in fortunes have been stark and tell a sorry story at Old Trafford.
Manchester United’s peculiarly assembled bunch are misfiring. Erik ten Hag’s side have gone three games – 291 minutes – without a goal. Their leading home-grown star, Marcus Rashford, has been dropped. Bruno Fernandes has wavered from the sublime to the inexplicable, while £82m winger Antony has frustrated the fanbase with his tricks and sheer lack of substance.
