EPL: West Ham Defeats Manchester United, Sealing Red Devils' 13th Place Finish

West Ham defeats Manchester United 2-0, highlighting Red Devils' struggles and potential changes ahead.

Manchester United's season ended on a low note with a 2-0 loss to West Ham at Old Trafford.

Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen scored for West Ham, who secured a straightforward win. Manchester United's lineup suggested a focus on their upcoming Europa League final.

It was a straightforward away win for the Hammers against a Manchester United side that started with five players who are expected to feature against Tottenham in Bilbao on 21 May.

However, the loss of defender Leny Yoro to a foot injury severe enough to lead the Frenchman to cover his face with his shirt and head straight for the dressing room, suggests Amorim may have to revise his plans. The United head coach immediately took off Luke Shaw, who would be an alternative to feature in his three-man defence in Spain.

United have now equalled their worst Premier League run of seven games without a win, back in 1992. However, that sequence included five draws, compared to the current one, which has five defeats.

The only teams Amorim's side have collected three points against since 26 January are relegated duo Ipswich and Leicester.

Manchester United's chances were kept alive by Rasmus Højlund and Harry Maguire, but West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola made crucial saves to deny them.

Manchester United's struggles have been prolonged, raising doubts about their readiness for the new season.

To address their goal-scoring issues, United are reportedly eyeing moves for Matheus Cunha and Liam Delap, with finding a reliable striker being Ruben Amorim's top priority.

Hojlund will wonder how he didn't score – the second chance needed a sensational bit of recovery work from Areola – but the Dane just doesn't look up to the right standard.

If that was the only issue it would be bad enough. But so many players look off the pace.

Kobbie Mainoo, so good last season he was catapulted into England's Euro 2024 squad, and Mason Mount, two-goal hero against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday, did little to justify starting this game.

Despite his excellent injury-time save to deny James Ward-Prowse following Victor Lindelof's shocking mistake on the edge of his own area, goalkeeper Altay Bayindir will surely leave at the end of the season, meaning United need a solid back up to Andre Onana.

United have two more games before this wretched league campaign reaches its conclusion. But the work on addressing the wreckage has surely already started.

West Ham confirmed Aaron Cresswell's departure, joining veterans Vladimir Coufal and Lukasz Fabianski, signaling significant changes ahead.

West Ham beat Man Utd for the second time this season! ✌️#MUNWHU pic.twitter.com/79BKrGBH57

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 11, 2025

The exits mark the end of an era, with Cresswell, Coufal, and Fabianski having served the club for 23 years combined, while high-earner Danny Ings is also expected to leave.

The departures create space for Graham Potter to reshape the team, a challenge he's faced since replacing Julen Lopetegui in January.

West Ham's transition from the Conference League-winning squad continues, with the opening goal showcasing new dynamics, involving players like Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Mohammed Kudus.

Graham Potter faces a challenge in reshaping West Ham, as potential sales, like Mohammed Kudus, could fund new signings.

Kudus played a key role in both West Ham goals, but Jarrod Bowen's reaction to being substituted suggests Potter needs the captain's commitment to his plans.