Manchester United 1 West Ham 1: Watch highlights as Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s strike not enough as United are held at Old Trafford
Jose Mourinho sees red as Red Devils are held by the Hammers at Old Trafford
MANCHESTER UNITED boss Jose Mourinho was sent off as his side were held by West Ham on a frustrating afternoon for his men.
Diafra Sakho had fired the visitors into an early lead, but despite Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalising, they were unable to find a winner as they fought out a 1-1 draw.
Old Trafford was stunned into silence inside two minutes as the visitors took the lead.
Dimitri Payet swung a free-kick over from the right for Diafra Sakho to nod home to spark wild celebrations in the away end.
United were level on 21 minutes when Paul Pogba floated a delicious ball into the area for Ibrahimovic to rise highest and head home.
It was the world’s most expensive player’s first Premier League assist, while it made it two in two games for the Swedish striker.
Pogba then received a booking for diving, causing a furious reaction from Red Devils boss Mourinho. The Portuguese chief was sent to the stands after flinging his arms into the air before booting a water bottle down the touchline.
United’s Marcus Rojo was fortunate not to concede a penalty for handball seconds before the half-time whistle and Darren Randolph tipped Jesse Lingard’s drive around the post.
The action continued after the restart as the visitors went close through Sakho again before David De Gea tipped a Payet free-kick over the bar.
Wayne Rooney, two goals off Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time club scoring record, arrived from the bench on 65 minutes alongside Henrikh Mkhitaryan in an attempt by Mourinho to insert a further attacking threat into his side.
And the England captain nearly made an instant impact with a low strike, but Randolph got down well to keep out his low strike.
United thought they had finally found a breakthrough with just under a quarter of an hour to go. Mkhitaryan's shot struck the post before Jesse Lingard tapped home the rebound - his celebration was cut short by an offside flag.
Sub Ashley Fletcher, who moved to West Ham from United in the summer, almost made it an even worse day for his former employers late on as he was denied a dream return by De Gea.
FACTS, STATS, GOALS & LOLS
- United came into the clash as heavy favourites and had history on their side. They had only lost two of their last 23 league meetings.
- Bastian Schweinsteiger was in the match-day squad for the first time under Jose Mourinho after an injury to Michael Carrick. He is still yet to taste match action under the Portuguese boss.
- Sakho’s opener after 90 seconds was the second fastest goal conceded by United at home in Premier League history. Only Edin Dzeko’s strike for Manchester City after 43 seconds in March 2014 was quicker.
- One relief for Old Trafford supporters is Ibrahimovic’s return to form in front of goal. He had gone six games without notching before striking two in his last league match at Swansea. It was the first time he had scored in consecutive matches since the opening two games of the season.
- The build-up to his goal this afternoon harked back to the days of Sir Alex Ferguson’s free-flowing sides of the past. There were 22 passes leading to his header – only Eden Hazard’s strike against Everton had more.
- It is the second time referee Jonathan Moss has sent Mourinho off in just over a year. He got his marching orders in a 2-1 defeat at Upton Park just over a year ago towards the end of his time at Chelsea. He got a subsequent one match stadium ban.
- His frustration came after Paul Pogba was booked for simulation. But the player tried to explain to Moss as they left the pitch at the break that he was actually jumping out the way of a challenge by Mark Noble and replays certainly backed him up.
- Back in the days a match against United was dreaded by the opposition. But Slaven Bilic loves playing them. He is unbeaten in his first three league games against them.
- The boos rang out around Old Trafford at full time as frustration spilled over. This is the first time United have gone four home league matches without a win since 1990.
- One spectator will have certainly dazzled the United suits in the directors box, even if the players on the pitch could not. Pretty Woman actress Julia Roberts was a guest for this afternoon’s clash.
BIG PICTURE
NEXT FIVE MATCHES
Man Utd
30 Nov - West Ham (H) - EFL Cup
04 Dec - Everton (A) - PL
08 Dec - Zorya Luhansk (A) - PL
11 Dec - Tottenham (H) - PL
14 Dec - Crystal Palace (A) - PL
WEST HAM
30 Nov - West Ham (A) - EFL Cup
03 Dec - Arsenal (H) - PL
11 Dec - Liverpool (A) - PL
14 Dec - Burnley (H) - PL
17 Dec - Hull (H) - PL
SOCIAL SAYS
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
Manchester United: De Gea 6, Valencia 7, Jones 7, Rojo 7, Darmian 6, Herrera 7, Pogba 8, Rashford 5 (Rooney 65, 6), Mata 6 (Mkhitaryan 65, 6), Lingard 7 (Fellaini 85, 5), Ibrahimovic 7
Subs: Romero, Blind, Schweinsteiger, Young
Goal: Ibrahimovic (21)
West Ham: Randolph 8, Cresswell 6, Kouyate 6, Lanzini 6 (Ayew 74, 6), Obiang 6, Sakho 7 (Fletcher 65), Noble 6, Collins 6, Ogbonna 7, Payet 7 (Feghouli 90+ 4, 6), Antonio 7
Subs: Adrian, Nodvelt, Zaza, Fernandes
Goal: Sakho (2)
WHAT THEY SAID
West Ham keeper Darren Randolph: "We rode our luck and had to defend for our lives at times.
"It was important to come out and have a good performance and show we can compete against the big teams. We genuinely believed we could get something from the game.
"It wasn't just me that needed to be switched on it was the whole team and they were."
Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera speaking to BBC Sport: "Another game the same. We control the game completely from the kick-off. They score a very lucky goal and then we control and create chances.
"Their keeper was the best one more time. That happened against Stoke, Burnley and Arsenal. We don't know what we have to do to win a game.
"We have more possession than the opponents. I don't know, honestly.
"I have had a run like this but not playing good. The way we are playing we are controlling the whole game from the kick-off.
"Football is about scoring goals and finishing and we are not doing that right. It is true."