Manchester United secures 3-0 victory over West Ham with Hojlund strike, Garnacho’s brace

Manchester United celebrated a 3-0 triumph against West Ham at Old Trafford, courtesy of a notable performance by Alejandro Garnacho.

Rasmus Hojlund initiated the scoring on his 21st birthday, followed by Garnacho’s brace in the second half, propelling the Red Devils to the sixth position in the Premier League standings.

The match featured a significant tribute to the Munich Air Disaster victims on February 6, 1958, adding emotional weight to the encounter.

Despite West Ham’s attacking efforts with 20 shots, they couldn’t convert their chances, allowing Manchester United to capitalize on their clinical finishing.

Hojlund marked his birthday with a well-executed goal, cutting inside with his right foot after Casemiro won possession.

West Ham had opportunities but failed to equalize, with Emerson Palmieri missing a crucial chance after Harry Maguire’s defensive error.

Garnacho’s first goal came with a stroke of luck as his left-footed shot deflected off Nayef Aguerd into the net.

West Ham missed a golden opportunity to level the score just before Garnacho’s goal. The United forward capitalized on a defensive mistake by Kalvin Phillips to secure his second goal.

The victory marks Manchester United’s fifth unbeaten match in all competitions, building on the momentum from their recent win against Wolves.

The team’s ascent to sixth place suggests a potential turnaround in their Premier League campaign.

Player Ratings:

• Man Utd: Onana (6), Dalot (7), Maguire (5), Martinez (7), Shaw (7), Casemiro (7), Mainoo (6), Fernandes (6), Garnacho (8), Hojlund (7), Rashford (6).
• West Ham: Areola (6), Coufal (6), Johnson (7), Zouma (6), Aguerd (6), Emerson (5), Soucek (6), Ward-Prowse (6), Alvarez (6), Kudus (7), Bowen (6).

Player of the Match: Alejandro Garnacho.

The win reshapes Manchester United’s Premier League campaign, instilling a sense of optimism with key players returning from injuries. The Red Devils aim to maintain their upward trajectory in the coming fixtures.

Next Matches:

• Manchester United: FA Cup fourth-round replay against Aston Villa and a Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.
• West Ham: Premier League fixture against Brentford at Molineux.