West Ham left-back Aaron Cresswell spoke to reporters after his side’s fine 2-0 win over Manchester United yesterday, and admitted that he deserved to be dropped earlier this season.
The 29-year-old started the Hammers’ first game of the season at home to Manchester City. He was quite simply not at the races, however.
Cresswell was replaced by Arthur Masuaku for the next four Premier League games. The Democratic Republic of Congo international was sent off against Aston Villa on Monday night, however, and was subsequently suspended.
And Cresswell grasped his opportunity with both hands. Not only did he defend incredibly well, but he also scored an absolute screamer – a goal that helped secure all three points for his team.
And that represents quite the turnaround for the West Ham ace from the opening day of the season against the blue side of Manchester.
And the Liverpool-born left-back told reporters how he was not good enough earlier this season, as quoted by the club’s official website:
“I started the first game and clearly wasn’t good enough and we lost five-nil. And Arthur has come in and done well. The main thing is we got the three points and we’re all one team. The free-kick was one of the best of my career but, as I say, I’m a defender so to get the clean sheet and the three points were the most-important thing.”
Will the 29-year-old now keep Masuaku out?
There were concerns about Cresswell earlier this summer. Some suggested that he wasn’t the same after returning from injury.
He has answered those critics in the best way possible, however.
Next up for West Ham is their Carabao Cup clash with Oxford United on Wednesday night, before they travel to the south coast to take on Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.
And Cresswell surely did more than enough yesterday to keep his place in the side for those games.
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