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Football London
Football London
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Jonty Colman

West Ham player ratings: Kurt Zouma stars as Hammers fall to narrow Manchester United defeat

West Ham United failed to make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League with a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Marcus Rashford's first-half header, his 100th goal for Erik ten Hag's side, was enough to make the difference in the tie, leaving West Ham 13th in the Premier League table.

Here is how football.london’s West Ham United writer Jonty Colman rated the Hammers’ players against the Red Devils.

READ MORE: David Moyes provides update on West Ham’s Craig Dawson ahead of Manchester United trip

Lukasz Fabianski

Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski has kept two of his clean sheets for the season so far this month during home victories over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth. Made a couple of great saves early on to deny Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo. Shortly before Rashford's thumping header, he landed awkwardly to rush out to head away when Christian Eriksen was baring down a goal. Little he could do to stop Rashford's header, especially when injured. Forced off at half-time. 7

Thilo Kehrer

A return for Craig Dawson into defence saw Thilo Kehrer move back to right-back from centre-back, where had started the last three Premier League games at. Kehrer attacked well and early on with an interception, started a move that led to a Said Benrahma break. While he got forward well and at times looked a threat, linking up well with Jarrod Bowen, it was the German who found himself stood under the ball as Rashford leaped over him to head in at the back post off Eriksen's cross. On the ball, not a lot to fault, but was beaten too easily for the goal and was booked late on for a foul on Rashford. 5

Craig Dawson

Dawson was back in defence to partner Kurt Zouma after an unusual double dead leg injury that had kept him out for each of the previous four matches. Some of his early passing was a bit wayward, understandable after more than two weeks out but defensively, really put a shift in his attempts to shackle the attemps from Ronaldo, Rashford, Eriksen and co. Like Zouma next to him, keen to bring the ball forward and found himself on end of a few chances, unable to quite get on the end of a cross at the back post and saw a shot from range go over. 7

Kurt Zouma (Star man)

Zouma got the opener in controversial circumstances versus Bournemouth, partnering Dawson in a back four for only the third time all season, with the previous two ending in victories. Zouma and Dawson were kept busy for large parts. Hardly put a foot wrong before half-time, making countless interceptions and winning anything that came at him aerially. Keen to start counters as often as possible and gained plenty of yards when getting forward. Was a great attacking threat late on and forced David De Gea into an excellent diving save with a header with just over five minutes remaining. Very impressive throughout. 8

Aaron Cresswell

Left-back Aaron Cresswell returned after a full rest from the Hammers' single goal win over Silkeborg in midweek. It was his side where Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes linked up too easily to cross in for the goal. Attacked well and got some crosses in, the best of the bunch being for Zouma late on. 6

Tomas Soucek

In recent weeks, Czech Republic midfielder Tomas Soucek had impressed in his defensive work, ranking among the best players for tackles and interceptions outside of the 'big six.' Very poor in the first half, with the hosts' midfield getting far too much joy against him. Among a few that improved after the break with a couple of key tackles, with his best block coming in the first half to avenge a Dawson error and deflect a shot over the bar. 6

Declan Rice

England regular and Hammers captain Declan Rice found himself against two of his potential World Cup teammates next month in United's starting line-up in Luke Shaw and returning Red Devils skipper Harry Maguire. Good in the first half on the ball, especially at carrying it in possession, seeing one counter attack ruined when the ball was wrongly judged to be out of play. Excellent in the second half, really dictated play as Manchester United were forced to defend more. Whipped in some good crosses and unleashed a ferocious late effort, forcing De Gea to match it brilliantly. 7

Jarrod Bowen

Winger Jarrod Bowen was back in the starting side after missing the midweek win over Silkeborg with a minor ankle injury, starting on the right wing. A quiet first half display from the winger, who saw many of his chances and runs blocked off by Shaw, with his only chance being flagged for offside. Better in the second half and deserved two free-kicks for getting the better of Maguire, although neither were given. Came close to a late equaliser, seeing a low shot blocked. 6

Flynn Downes

Flynn Downes kept his place in the starting 11 with Lucas Paqeuta still sidelined, the former Swansea City man making his third straight Premier League start in a row as a makeshift No.10. Kept the ball well and showed good movement at times, but also lacked the cutting and line-splitting passes needed for an attacking midfielder, with Paqueta sorely missed. Did not do an awful lot wrong though. 6

Said Benrahma

In what has been a hectic six days consisting of three matches for the Irons, Algerian winger Said Benrahma started on the left wing, the only player to start against Bournemouth, Silkeborg and the Red Devils. If the Hammers were ever going to score, Benrahma looked the most likely, breaking on a few occasions in the first half, including a superb roulette past Casemiro. Although he was more marked, Benrahma got more joy when skipping past players. A constant threat and good on the ball, also forcing De Gea into action from range. 6

Gianluca Scamacca

Like Bowen, Gianluca Scamacca was hoping to add to the three goals he had already netted in all competitions this month, having not scored since the home win over Fulham three weeks ago. Hardly had a kick in the first half but did create two chances on counter attacks for Benrahma with quick and direct counter attacking. Had one half chance shortly before coming off early in the second half, going in with a high foot on Lisandro Martinez having already been booked for a foul on Rashford. 6

Substitutes

Alphonse Areola

There was a second appearance of the season for goalkeeper Alphonse Areola when he replaced Fabianski at half-time, with his other coming on the opening weekend of the season against Manchester City. Did very little wrong despite the best part of three months without a Premier League minute. Ronaldo attempted to test him, with little else coming his way in shots, but positioned himself well. Also came up for a late corner but there was no fairytale at the end of it. 7

Michail Antonio

There were plenty of boos with 35 minutes to go when Michail Antonio was introudced, not because he was on, but because Scamacca came off. One of his best substitute performances in recent games. Did well in tussles with Martinez and twice was close to a golden header at the back post, with Diogo Dalot heading away on both occasions. Like Rice, tested De Gea from range with a fierce strike. 7

Pablo Fornals

On in place of Downes, the Spaniard was direct and provided plenty of energy late on. Did well to create the late chance for Bowen with his run and pass back to the edge of the penalty area. 6

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