Manchester United lurched back into crisis on Saturday as Jose Mourinho’s side lost 3-1 to West Ham, delivering a thoroughly underwhelming performance.
Paul Pogba, the player who is under the most scrutiny at the moment, went missing in the defeat and his team-mates weren’t much better.
Here’s a look at how the players fared.
STARTING XI
David de Gea
Ashley Young 5 – Oddly for a right-footed player usually shoehorned in at left-back, he looked less comfortable on his more natural side. A couple of good deliveries but struggled to beat his man and defending was suspect.
Scott McTominay 4 – A victim of Mourinho’s strange selection – the second time a midfielder has been thrust into a back three for United this season – McTominay looked out of his depth. As he would, playing out of position.
Chris Smalling 6 – United’s best defender by a mile, though even that is not saying much. At the moment he looks like the only centre-back at the club in any sort of form.
Victor Lindelof 5 – Unlucky to get on the scoresheet, as he was tracking a run when Andriy Yarmolenko’s shot deflected off him for West Ham’s second, but looked shaky throughout.
Luke Shaw 5 – Shaw’s first poor game of the season, as he got nothing going from an attacking sense. Meanwhile, two of West Ham’s goals came from his flank. Did provide the assist from the corner for Rashford’s goal.
Marouane Fellaini 6 – It’s telling that Fellaini looks the most confident and in-form midfielder at United at the moment, despite being surrounded by supposedly more talented players. Caught out on occasion but largely solid.
Nemanja Matic 4 – Either Matic is still recovering from offseason surgery or his early-season form is an indication of his powers waning after a good debut campaign for United. Had little to no impact.
Paul Pogba 3 – If Pogba wants to prove a point to Mourinho, he’s not going about it the right way. Other than one tackle to win back the ball high up the pitch, it’s hard to remember a single good moment from the Frenchman.
Romelu Lukaku 4 – Drama elsewhere has allowed Lukaku’s poor form to largely go unnoticed. Made some good runs that weren’t spotted by the United midfield, but offered almost no threat in attack.
Anthony Martial 5 – Had a poor start to the game as United were overwhelmed, not offering an out ball or any incision. Was looking better in the second half before being taken off.
United’s defence had a poor game.
SUBSTITUTES
Marcus Rashford 6 – Offered United hope with a goal soon after coming on, though he was wasteful on a couple of other occasions when he had the chance to set up attacks.
Juan Mata 5 – Looked like a player who hasn’t had enough minutes recently, as he had no impact after coming on despite United chasing the game.
Fred 5 – Controversially brought on for Pogba in the second half, but couldn’t justify Mourinho’s bold call with anything on the pitch.
