Man Utd 1-1 West Ham (Dalot (58’ | Magassa 83’)
OLD TRAFFORD — Ruben Amorim had to check himself this week. He has been at pains to make clear he often says things he shouldn’t, singling out individuals while forgetting the world hangs on every word uttered by the manager of Manchester United.
This time, ahead of West Ham’s visit, Matheus Cunha was the victim of Amorim’s slippery tongue. The goals, or lack thereof, were getting to the maverick Brazilian his manager professed, as was the reaction to some disenchanted displays in the vitriolic social media metaverse.
Amorim had to later insist he was in danger of throwing another player under the bus, pleading to take what he had said with a pinch of salt. The damage had nonetheless already been done.
Back in the team against West Ham after a recent head injury, Cunha played like a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Just one comfortable evening is all Old Trafford wanted. One night where everyone wasn’t chewing their nails for 90 minutes or forced through another anodyne non-spectacle.
It should have been the case against 10-man Everton in their previous home outing, but United contrived to put in an even more turgid and unimaginative showing in defeat.
An impressive comeback victory away at high-flying Crystal Palace on Sunday raised hopes once more. A first dominant Premier League home win since a 4-0 success against Sean Dyche’s Everton last November was in the offing. No better way to spend a night under the lights at the famous old fortress.
The chance to move fifth, level on points with Chelsea in fourth, dangled in front of fans’ eyes. A familiar feeling of disappointment and delusion over where their team is heading inevitably followed for the perennially dissatisfied United following.
One point from two home games against 10-man Everton and relegation candidates West Ham in recent weeks tells you more about where United are headed than any other uptick in results.
Cunha was leading the charge of the underwhelming light brigade. I was convinced, after his effervescent display against Brighton in late October, that the Brazilian had the exact type of swagger required to rouse United from their slumber. Cantona-esque.
Since, the sparkle has gone out. Tedium has set in. Not for the first time in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson wilderness years, early promise has fizzled out as quickly as it presented itself.
“We are losing because of the second balls,” a visibly angry Amorim said after seeing his side fail to win for the 12th time from the Portuguese’s 20th home Premier League encounters. “Sometimes there are not men in front to win the ball.
“We had nobody to put in the offence (from the bench). Who? The second ball with Matheus I was worried.”
Defensively, Cunha was breezed through time and again, offering the same resistance as wet tissue paper. In attack, he was at least trying to make things happen. The worrying thing was nothing came off.
Boos ring out at Old Trafford as the full-time whistle blows
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 4, 2025pic.twitter.com/zr1EUc3l36
Amorim will insist some progress is being made, and he is not wrong – nothing will ever be as bad as last season. He and his team probably would have taken being two points off the top four at a third of the way through the campaign back in August.
Widespread boos upon the final whistle tells you more about where this sleeping giant remains. Amorim will get time, but with three of his big players about to head to the Africa Cup of Nations, a drastic improvement in performance is unlikely to happen anytime soon.
Even more pressure will therefore be placed on Cunha to step up. A few months ago, supporters would have been relishing the prospect of the Latin Roy of the Rovers beating his chest and driving right at the heart of many a Premier League defence.
Now, this pale imitation of the firebrand they signed is not inspiring anyone, even his own manager, in believing that better times lay ahead.
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