West Ham United beat Manchester United 2-1 in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
It was a vital three Premier League points for West Ham, and the pressure has definitely now been eased on Julen Lopetegui.
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Lopetegui made some questionable decisions before the game – using Carlos Soler as a left winger was the worst call I’ve seen in a long time.
All that matters in the end though is that the Hammers got the win at the London Stadium, in spite of some bizarre calls from the West Ham head coach.
With such a nightmarish run of fixtures on the horizon for the Hammers, including clashes with Newcastle and Arsenal, that three points against Man United could end up being vitally important.
I expect to see big improvements from the players now – that result and second-half performance should have been a huge confidence boost for them.
And one player in particular put in a truly tremendous performance.
Outstanding West Ham player stole show vs Manchester United
We all know that Crysencio Summerville made a huge impact when he came on, but it was another player who really stood out for me.
Since joining the Hammers, he hasn’t quite been at his very best, and it looked like it would be much of the same during the first-half.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka was pushing high up the pitch in the first period – a tactic that just isn’t working for us.
The fact that Lopetegui keeps using him as basically a right winger is starting to infuriate me I must say!
However, credit where it’s due, the Spaniard moved him back as a defensive full-back for the second-half.
He reverted to type after the break, and proceeded to put in one of the best defensive performances I have seen in a very long time.
In fairness to the former Manchester United defender, he was actually very good against Tottenham last weekend, but his performance on Sunday was even better.
Wan-Bissaka stats
Wan-Bissaka had 74 touches, made two interceptions, seven clearances, won one aerial duel and completed three successful dribbles (Who Scored).
£15 million West Ham spent on the 26-year-old looks like an absolute steal doesn’t it.
I have to say though, Lopetegui has to stop playing Aaron Wan-Bissaka as an attacking wing-back for West Ham.
The former Manchester United man reverted to an orthodox right-back for the second-half, and he looked so much better thank he did during the first 45.
Man United fans must have been shaking their heads after yesterday’s game wondering why Erik ten Hag decided to sell the former Crystal Palace right-back in the summer.
It’s decisions like that that may well end up costing the Dutchman his job.
He’s the best one v one defender in the Premier League in my opinion, and his performance yesterday played a huge role in West Ham’s 2-1 victory over Manchester United.
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