Alejandro Garnacho secured a brace, and Rasmus Hojlund extended his impressive goal-scoring streak as Manchester United comfortably triumphed over West Ham in the Premier League.
Hojlund, marking his 21st birthday, achieved a significant milestone as the youngest Red Devils player to score in four consecutive games, marking his fifth goal in the last six matches. This performance propelled Erik ten Hag’s team to their fourth victory in five games across all competitions in 2024.
A pivotal moment in the match occurred when Garnacho’s shot deflected off Nayef Aguerd, following an unexpected miss from Emerson Palmieri at the opposite end. Despite West Ham’s lively attacking efforts, they struggled to deliver the final ball effectively.
As the game unfolded, West Ham’s attacking prowess diminished, and Garnacho capitalized on another error from Kalvin Phillips, the new signing for the Hammers. Scott McTominay and Hojlund seized the opportunity, pressuring Phillips and setting up Garnacho for a clever low finish past Lukasz Fabianski, who replaced the injured Alphonse Areola at half-time.
The only setback for Manchester United was the injury to Lisandro Martinez, who had to leave the field after attempting to play through a knee problem sustained during a clash with Vladimir Coufal.
Following this triumph, Ten Hag’s squad climbed from eighth to sixth in the league standings, surpassing both Brighton and West Ham. Conversely, West Ham continues to face challenges, remaining without a win in all competitions in the new calendar year.
