Marcus Rashford scored his 100th goal for Manchester United, who moved closer to the top four with a 1-0 win over West Ham United on Sunday evening.
Premier League
Result: Manchester United 1-0 West Ham United
Date: 30 October 202
Venue: Old Trafford
Man United made three changes to the side that drew with Chelsea, as Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire both replaced the injured Antony and Raphael Varane while Athony Elanga was preferred over Jadon Sancho.
The Red Devils were lively going forward in the early stages and Marcus Rashford came close to giving them the lead on 16 minutes with a powerful header in the box that was smothered by shot-stopper Lukasz Fabianski from a cross by Diogo Dalot.
In an open game, the Hammers also had a chance ten minutes later as Jarrod Bowen drew an out-stretched save from shot-stopper David de Gea with a first-time strike after he was setup by Thilo Kehrer in the box.
Erik ten Hag's charges were more threatening going forward and Rashford eventually broke the deadlock seven minutes before the interval with a powerful header at the back post after a cross by Christian Eriksen.
West Ham were on the front foot early in the second stanza but United denied them chances and David Moyes made an attacking change shortly before the hour-mark, as Michail Antonio replaced Gianluca Scamacca upfront.
As the game opened up, the visitors had a chance on 67 minutes after a teasing cross by Declan Rice but Dalot made a crucial clearance in the box with Antonio lurking just behind him.
Man United had the momentum in the closing stages, with the Hammers threatening on counter-attacks and Ten Hag made a change with 12 minutes remaining as Fred replaced Eriksen for fresh legs in midfield.
West Ham had the urgency in attack and Kurt Zouma came very close to getting the equaliser in the last seven minutes with a free header at the near post that was incredibly saved by De Gea at full stretch.
Moyes' men had spaces behind their defence as they went up in numbers and Fred was unfortunate not to kill off the the game for the Red Devils moments later with a downward header that came off the post after a cross by Scott McTominay.
The Hammers continued to threaten in the tail end and De Gea made another heroic save at the death to pluck out a strike towards the top corner by Rice.
The Red Devils moved up to within one point of fourth-placed Newcastle United in fifth spot with a game in hand.
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