Magassa's Hammer blow denies United

Until Soungoutou Magassa’s 83rdminute equaliser Manchester United seemed to be flowering in the cold of winter on the way to a win that would have been their fifth in eight games.

- Jamie Jackson

Until Soungoutou Magassa's 83rd-minute equaliser Manchester United seemed to be flowering in the cold of winter on the way to a win that would have been their fifth in eight games.

Instead Jarrod Bowen's flick-on from Andy Irving's corner from the right had to be cleared off the line by Noussair Mazraoui, only for the ball to go straight to Magassa, who drove home his first goal for the Hammers.

United had not been a fluid picture of poetry in motion yet their display featured enough high-octane moves to suggest they are improving and they appeared to have scored the winner through Diogo Dalot.

Instead, questions about their solidity remain because West Ham had rarely threatened until their hosts switched off and were punished.

Ten points and nine places had separated the teams at the start. West Ham, in 18th with 11 points after 13 games, were bidding to become only the ninth team to stay up with that tally (or lower) at this juncture. United's 21 points had Ruben Amorim's men only two behind fifth place which may again be enough for a Champions League berth and which, despite the manager downplaying the notion, is a definite target.