Pressure grows on Ten Hag as Manchester United suffer 2-0 loss at West Ham

Manchester United suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat to West Ham United on Saturday after goals from Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus. 

This was their ninth defeat of the season, with the result heaping further pressure on manager Erik ten Hag. 

United were hoping to build on an impressive draw at Liverpool last weekend, but they were stunned by David Moyes’ side, who comfortably ran out 2-0 winners.  

Raphael Varane was missing for the visitors due to illness, and Erik ten Hag opted to start Willy Kambwala, with Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez all sidelined. 

West Ham made a positive start to the London Stadium encounter as Emerson forced Andre Onana to make a save within the first five minutes. 

Jarrod Bowen had a decent chance from 20 yards but his effort went wide. 

United slowly grew into the game and also created a few chances by the half-hour mark. 

Alejandro Garnacho dribbled down the left to force an easy save from Alphonse Areola. 

The Argentine winger soon had another brilliant scoring opportunity after a poor pass from Kudus, but his poor final delivery kept the scoreline 0-0. 

West Ham started the second half with more attacking intent and came close to breaking the deadlock by around the hour mark. 

Bowen sent a powerful header towards the top left but Onana tipped it over acrobatically. 

However, the 27-year-old finally provided his side with the breakthrough in the 72nd minute. 

Bowen got on the end of an excellent chipped pass by Lucas Paqueta. Onana blocked his first effort but failed to keep hold of the ball, allowing the forward to hit the target at the second attempt. 

The Hammers soon added another goal. Kudus pounced on a Kobbie Mainoo mistake and played a one-two with Paqueta before drilling a shot past the keeper. 

The result moved West Ham up to sixth in the Premier League table, while United drop to eighth.