They contrived to lose a game in which they had been absurdly, astonishingly dominant before the break. Dalot was the worst offender but not the only one. A team who should have led by at least three goals instead lost. Their best half of the season still led to a fourth defeat.
For Julen Lopetegui, it was a lifeline, much the best result of his inglorious reign. Shocking and shambolic for 45 minutes, West Ham nevertheless beat the other United. Reprieved by a host of first-half misses, they pilfered victory in the second. To compound Dalot’s difficulties, it was his immediate opponent, Crysencio Summerville, who scored one of the goals that may save the Hammers manager’s job. The other, Jarrod Bowen’s penalty, awarded via the intervention of VAR and against Matthijs de Ligt, leaves the other United 14th.
For the beleaguered Erik ten Hag, meanwhile, it was a reminder that it seems impossible to escape his version of purgatory, with a side that struggle to win, who can lose almost any game and miss almost any chance. A malaise extends beyond a right-back unaccustomed to finding himself the furthest man forward. Casemiro finally found the net for United, converting after first Dalot and then Joshua Zirkzee had headed the ball across the box, but only after a masterclass in how not to finish.
Denne historien er fra October 28, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
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Denne historien er fra October 28, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
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Tuchel left with big calls to make after Carsley refresh
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Wiegman calls up uncapped trio for injury-hit Lionesses
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Wales promoted as Cullen double freezes out Iceland
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Jaguar pounces on new logo
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Longing and loss: our era of British cinematic elegance
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