West Ham 0-0 Manchester United
I didn’t watch this game, and after scouring the web for a
highlights package that lasted longer than 6 minutes, it seems like I had a
lucky escape, with the only real positive being this will be the last time we
ever wear this horrendous quasi-greyish strip. Almost nothing happened in this
encounter other than an entertaining scrap near the end between Paul Pogba and
the personification of West Ham, Mark Noble. Think about it. A high opinion of
yourself despite evidence to the contrary, really angry for no apparent reason,
desperately mediocre, a feeling of being wronged etc etc.
Nonetheless, I don’t really having anything against Noble, a
willing trier who has to deal with all sorts of shite being the captain of his
boyhood team, including having to deck one of his own fans earlier in the
season in West Ham’s nadir, a home defeat by Burnley. Since then David Moyes,
who was barely acknowledged by the United fans, has steadied the ship and
brought them to safety, helped out by Marco Arnautovic deciding that he is
arsed after all. With him, Lanzini, Carroll, Chicharito, Antonio, Reid and the
experience of Zabaleta and latterly Evra, how the hell were they in trouble for
so long? It’s true they have struggled with a big chunk of the squad spending
the majority of the campaign on the treatment table. But even with consistent
absences West Ham have weapons that other teams in similar predicaments this
season just didn’t have.
United played a back 5. A real, Italian style one, not a
back 3. With McTominay and Herrera also there protecting De Gea’s 18th
clean sheet (the one he needed for a maiden Golden Glove), it was clear it
wouldn’t be like watching 1970’s Brazil. Mourinho left Martial and Rashford,
two who could do something watchable, on the bench - a clear message that they’ve
blown their Cup final chances. Still, Adrian had to make some impressive saves
to keep it goalless, as the 8 changes from Brighton didn’t have the anticipated
effect of a better performance. Lingard buzzed around in a sort of
shadow-striker role, demonstrating his intelligence and adaptability, and was
our best goal threat. Shaw did well on the left flank with plenty of runs
forward, and that was it really. We clinched 2nd and no one got
injured. Bring on the Cup final so we avoid watching this dead-rubber dross
please.
United (5-3-1-1) De Gea 7; Valencia 6.5 (Bailly 90+4),
Lindelof 6, Smalling 6, Jones 6, Shaw 7; Herrera 6, McTominay 5, Pogba 5.5;
Lingard 7.5 (Rashford 74, 5.5); Sanchez 5.5 (Young 90+2).
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