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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Kyle Newbould

Victor Lindelof's reaction to David de Gea howler and more Man United moments missed vs West Ham

Ten Hag makes De Gea demands clear

There were early signs of a dismal night for David de Gea at the London Stadium, with the Manchester United goalkeeper once again lacking quality on the ball from the off. It took just four minutes for the 32-year-old to misplace his first pass, attempting to break West Ham's press with a penetrative ball into Wout Weghorst.

Declan Rice covered every blade of grass on the night and he was on call to intercept De Gea's pass, driving into the United box. Weghorst, whose effort can never be faulted, hunted down the midfielder and made a brilliant tackle to spare his goalkeeper's blushes.

That was all it took for Erik ten Hag to get onto De Gea, barking orders at the Spain international and pointing upfield in a way that unmistakably translated to 'get it long'.

ALSO READ: United ratings vs West Ham

No sympathy for De Gea

The United goalkeeper's night went from bad to worse just before the half-hour mark, his mistake allowing Said Benrahma to score the winner. West Ham broke forward but the Algerian lacked options, his right-footed shot more hopeful than threatening.

But a slight slip made it awkward and the Reds shot-stopper was unable to palm a weak effort to safety despite getting a full hand on the ball. De Gea's mistakes this season are closing in on double figures and the Spaniard looked despondent as he lay in the turf.

The United players couldn't believe what they were seeing, with Tyrell Malacia throwing his arms in the air in frustration while Victor Lindelof put his head in his hands and sank to the floor in disbelief.

Sneaky from Bowen

West Ham winger Jarrod Bowen was on the receiving end of a painful challenge by Tyrell Malacia late in the first half, the Dutchman inadvertently raking his studs down the Achilles of his main rival for the night.

It was a nasty one for Bowen and Malacia was rightly booked, but there was a sneaky move from the former in the aftermath. Bowen hobbled past Bruno Fernandes and looked to be almost immobile while Thilo Kehrer lined up to take the free-kick.

But as the Hammers defender set up, Bowen - all of a sudden fully healed - darted behind the space left by Fernandes. Kehrer didn't see the run and it ultimately came to nothing, but it was sneaky from the wide man.

Moyes' throw-in feint

United really failed to gather any momentum in the second half despite being a goal down and fighting for a Champions League spot. If anything, West Ham continued to threaten and when they won a throw-in by the home dugout, Moyes fancied getting on with play.

The former Reds boss picked up the ball and feinted to take the throw-in himself as Michail Antonio burst forward. If anything, it was a sign of how comfortable he and West Ham felt in their lead with 15 minutes to play and a damning indictment of United's lack of intensity.

Fernandes in disbelief

One of United's biggest second-half chances fell to Anthony Martial in added time, the Frenchman finding space at the near post from a corner. Fernandes' corner was pinpoint and landed right on the forward's head, but a glancing header with not enough contact saw the ball fly across the face of the goal.

It was by no means a sitter for Martial, who was a couple of yards beyond the near post when he made contact, but Fernandes clearly expected more from his teammate and the midfielder dropped to his knees in disbelief by the corner flag. A poor night summed up.

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