Manchester United slumped to a 2-0 home defeat to West Ham, extending their winless Premier League run to seven games their worst spell in over three decades and raising urgent questions about a team spiralling toward crisis.
This was a performance that reeked of resignation. Tomas Soucek’s opener and Jarrod Bowen’s clinical second condemned United to their 17th league defeat of the campaign, equalling a tally not seen since the 1973-74 relegation season. And with just two games left, they sit 16th an unthinkable position for a club with such a gilded history.
The result was made even more damning by West Ham’s form. Winless in eight and still adjusting under Graham Potter, the Hammers arrived without momentum but left with all three points. They were sharper, smarter, and simply more interested.
Ruben Amorim rang the changes but got little in return. His reshuffled side lacked rhythm and shape, and nowhere was that more apparent than up front. Rasmus Højlund, still searching for confidence, toiled again snatching at chances and failing to assert himself as United’s focal point.
“I wouldn’t say I lose self-belief,” Højlund admitted pre-match, “but you’re going to be a bit more down and frustrated.” That frustration was written all over his performance early shots, mistimed runs, and another game without a goal.
Leny Yoro’s injury added fresh concern. The 18-year-old defender pulled up awkwardly after a routine pass and limped off, leaving Amorim with more defensive headaches ahead of the Europa League final. With Luke Shaw’s fitness uncertain and Lisandro Martínez also absent, United’s left side is now a tactical minefield.
Even Bruno Fernandes, the heartbeat of this side, found himself retreating to centre-back to help with ball progression. His influence, typically felt in the final third, was diluted by necessity as United struggled to play through West Ham’s disciplined block.
This wasn’t just another poor league result. It was a snapshot of a team with too many holes to patch and too few games left to fix them. Their European form may be keeping the season alive, but their Premier League collapse is impossible to ignore.
