West Ham United were solid if unspectacular in the 0-0 draw at Aston Villa on Monday night.
Arthur Masuaku’s sending off meant a point at Villa Park was a good result.
And Manuel Pellegrini’s side looked resolute if lacking the cutting edge to warrant taking all three points.
Rice and Fab lead standout performers
There were some excellent performances throughout the West Ham team.
Lukasz Fabianski, Declan Rice, Issa Diop, Angelo Ogbonna and Mark Noble were all impressive.
But the second half performance of the barely used Pablo Fornals also caught the eye.
The Spaniard has been eased into life at West Ham following his £24million move from Villareal.
Fornals ready to fire?
And the Spain Under 21 midfielder looks to be adjusting to the English game after showing some lovely touches when he replaced Andriy Yarmolenko.
The Ukrainian did not have his best game for the Hammers.
But Fornals shone as he linked well with Ryan Fredericks, Sebastien Haller and Declan Rice.
Yarmolenko to make way against Red Devils?
He gave West Ham a different option and was full of running.
That has given Pellegrini a big decision to make when Manchester United visit the London Stadium on Sunday.
It would be Fornals’ first Premier League start but judging by his cameo he looks ready.
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