Manchester United missed out on the chance to finish fifth in the Premier League as they were held to a 1-1 draw with West Ham United at Old Trafford on Thursday, leaving the Hammers in the relegation zone.
After a scrappy goalless opening half, the hosts took the lead in the 58th minute through Diogo Dalot, but West Ham’s Soungoutou Magassa equalized seven minutes from time, leading to boos from the home fans at the final whistle.
Man United are eighth in the standings with 22 points, while West Ham remain 18th with 12 points, two behind Leeds United in 17th.
West Ham had the better of the opening half hour, playing at a pedestrian pace, but never really in danger before the home side began to take control.
Bryan Mbeumo played a one-two from a short corner before attempting a looping shot from outside the area, forcing West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Amad Diallo sent a ball across the penalty area, which Joshua Zirkzee sent towards goal with his thigh, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka headed the ball off the line. A few seconds later, Bruno Fernandes’ effort skimmed the outside of the post.
Wan-Bissaka was a rock at the heart of West Ham’s defense against his former club. He provided crucial challenges and kept his team level at half-time.
Magassa fired into the side netting early in the second half before United found the opener. A shot attempt from Casemiro took a deflection, and the ball fell kindly for Dalot almost on the penalty spot, and he sent his shot past Areola on the bend.
The match looked set to end in a narrow win for the hosts, with West Ham never really looking like finding an equalizer until Jarrod Bowen’s header from a corner was cleared off the line by Noussair Mazraoui and Magassa smashed the ball home.
Both teams came alive in the dying minutes looking for a winner, with Fernandes guilty of a couple of late misses. But a far from convincing performance by Man United ended in a disappointing draw.
Published on December 5, 2025
