David De Gea made an enormous goalkeeping howler as Manchester United suffered a 1-0 defeat at West Ham on Sunday that threatens to ship their season right into a tailspin.
Just a number of days in the past United had been heavy favourites to complete within the Premier League’s high 4 however now they’re wobbling badly whereas the Hammers have edged nearer to security.
The outcome hinged on a catastrophic first-half error by De Gea, who let a tame shot from Said Benrahma squirm previous him within the twenty seventh minute after his workforce had largely dominated the opening interval.
De Gea’s blunder got here on the day on which he turned the most-capped goalkeeper in Manchester United’s historical past, showing for the 540th time to maneuver forward of Alex Stepney.
United, who suffered the ache of conceding a last-gasp penalty of their defeat at Brighton on Thursday, had been boosted by Arsenal’s 2-0 win at third-placed Newcastle earlier within the day.
They are nonetheless in fourth place however are actually only one level forward of red-hot Liverpool within the race to qualify for subsequent season’s Champions League, although they nonetheless have a recreation in hand.
A disillusioned Erik ten Hag defended his beleaguered goalkeeper however stated his workforce had been nonetheless accountable for their future this season with 4 league video games left to play.
“Mistakes are part of football and in this team you have to deal with it and bounce back because it is a team sport,” the United supervisor informed BT Sport.
“Over the season he is the one with the most clean sheets and also we did it as a team. It can happen, it’s football but everybody has to take responsibility.”
West Ham, who play within the Europa Conference League semi-finals this week, are actually seven factors away from the relegation zone.
United made a vivid begin on the London Stadium, with top-scorer Marcus Rashford hitting the skin of the submit within the seventeenth minute.
But West Ham took the lead against the run of play when Benrahma’s weak shot from distance in some way squirmed previous the sprawling De Gea.
The Spaniard appeared to have it lined however his footwork didn’t look proper and regardless of reaching the ball, his hand was not sturdy sufficient.
He lay inclined on the turf whereas West Ham celebrated, unable to understand what had occurred.
De Gea has had a combined season — he leads the race for the golden glove for many clear sheets within the Premier League however has additionally made some expensive errors.
United hit the submit once more within the thirty second minute, when the vigorous Antony’s highly effective drive was deflected onto the woodwork and behind.
Ten Hag’s males, who’ve simply 49 objectives this season — the second-lowest tally within the high 9 — managed 11 pictures within the first half however just one on course.
As the clock ticked all the way down to half time, De Gea denied Benrahma a second earlier than an enormous penalty enchantment for handball against Victor Lindelof, which was waved away by referee Peter Bankes.
West Ham had the ball within the internet once more early within the second half however the referee blew for a foul on De Gea by Michail Antonio.
United had been rocking badly and Tomas Soucek headed the ball into the United internet with lower than 20 minutes to go however once more the officers saved them, ruling the aim out for offside.
Ten Hag went for broke, throwing on Jadon Sancho and Marcel Sabitzer, having earlier launched Anthony Martial for the ineffective Wout Weghorst however they may not discover a method again.
West Ham boss David Moyes praised the “huge character of his side”, saying it might be powerful for groups beneath them to catch them, although they don’t seem to be mathematically secure.
“The number isn’t confirmed that it keeps you in the Premier League so we have to look forward to the next game and try and pick up more points,” he stated.
