Man United fail to break down stubborn West Ham

Man United have been held 1-1 at Old Trafford by West Ham in the Premier League.

The result is United's fourth consecutive draw at home in the league and once again highlighted the English giant’s failure to turn chances into goals.

The Hammers took the lead in the tie when Diafra Sakho prodded home from close range just two minutes in, before United began to dominate and deservedly equalise through Zlatan Ibrahimovic just after the 20-minute mark.

United were clearly the better of the teams with 17 shots to West Ham’s six and 68% possession but they couldn’t unlock the defence with Darren Randolph producing heroics in goal for the visitors. The point leaves United sixth in the table with West Ham back in 16^th.

United went into the tie as bookies’ favourite but it was the Hammers who took the early initiative as Dimitri Payet whipped a free-kick into box and Sakho beat Ibrahimovic to the ball to head to the net from six yards.

After the early setback United began to assert themselves and dominate proceedings and it paid off with the star power of Paul Pogba and Ibrahimovic combining to find the leveller. The former played a delightful chip into the box where if fell for the latter, who timed his run to perfection before heading home past a flat-footed Randolph in goal.

United were pumping upfield in numbers, and when Marcus Rashford crossed for the centre and waiting Ibrahimovic, James Collins was forced into action to make a goal-saving interception to head clear.

The crowd was roaring at Old Trafford as the game pulsated and it got the better of Jose Mourinho as he was sent to the stands by referee Jon Moss. The reason? Pogba was booked for diving – meaning he will miss the EFL Cup clash with the same opposition this Wednesday. Mourinho threw his hands in the air and kicked a water bottle, drawing the ire of Moss and ensuring he had a higher view from the stands, rather than being involved on the touchline.

United continued to force the game. Ibrahimovic heading back to Jesse Lindgard in the middle where he attempted to acrobatically fire it home but instead sent it over the bar.

The Hammers were still a threat when they burst forward though, with Michail Antonio beating two defenders and firing an effort wide by a few yards.

The majority of the action was at the other end though and Rashford had a blue-chip chance to double the lead as he was sent through on goal, his effort saved by an outstretched leg by Randolph.

Pogba was at the centre of the action for much of the half and carved out another chance as he won a header in the six-yard area from a corner but his effort could only be directed wide and right.

The other man that was driving United forward was Ibrahimovic and the big man had an excellent chance when he fired at goal from wide right. A diving block from Angelo Ogbonna stopped the effort reaching the target as the Hammers did superbly well to go in level at the break.

Payet very nearly scored an audacious goal after the break as he motioned to cross a free to the box and instead swung it towards goal where it appeared to be headed for the top-right corner and David De Gea had to come across to tip over the bar.

Having dominated the first half with lung-bursting runs and shots on goal, United had lost their fluidity and found themselves strangely subdued after the break, looking for someone or something to spark them to life.

The Special One decided it was time for change just after the hour: Wayne Rooney replaced Rashford and Henrik Mkhitaryan was on for Juan Mata. Rooney’s first touch gave him his first chance as he latched onto an Ibrahimovic ball and directed it towards goal but couldn't find the angle needed to beat Randolph. The keeper was again called into action as Lindgard pushed on from the edge of the area and fired at goal with Randolph claiming.

United thought they had finally made the breakthrough their play deserved when Randolph saved from Lindgard and the ball fell to Mkhitaryan to prod home only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. With ten on the clock United continued to press, Rooney releasing Ibrahimovic with a left-to-right ball and the Sweden international only denied buy a stretched right leg from Randolph. The Swede was again denied a few minutes later as he rounded the keeper only for Cheikhou Kouyate to come across and clear the danger.

With five minutes of normal time remaining United made their final switch as they searched for the equaliser: Lindgard making way for Marouane Fellaini.

The visitors were still dangerous when they broke at United and Ashley Fletcher – previously on the books with his opponents’ academy – was only denied by De Gea standing tall and blocking from close range.

For all United’s dominance and creation they lacked a killer instinct – a feature that has dogged the side all season thus far.

Photo (©Getty Images/Clive Brunskill)

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