Irish Sunday Mirror

Kudus gets the kudos

MIGHTY MO MAKES IT A CRUEL YULE FOR ERIK’S FLOPS

- By Ryan Taylor

ERIK TEN HAG told TV viewers that everyone “is distracted by Christmas” prior to kick-off.

But the harsh reality the Dutchman must digest is that Christmas is a welcome distractio­n from watching his Manchester United team play football.

Here another wretched and gutless performanc­e was mercilessl­y punished by Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus as David Moyes sent his former employers to their 13th defeat of the season in all competitio­ns.

It was also the perfect response to their sobering 5-1 midweek collapse at Liverpool in the Carabao Cup as the Hammers hit 30 points after 18 Premier League matches for the first time since 2014.

That reads favourably for Moyes but despite the impressive nature of his team’s victory this was once again about Manchester United’s stark lack of ideas, character and direction.

Ten Hag named his 10th different centre-back partnershi­p of the season as Willy Kambwala became the 248th United academy graduate in the absence of Raphael Varane.

He partnered 35-year-old veteran Jonny Evans, who was only supposed to provide support for United’s cohort of central defenders this term. Instead, he has been thrust into crunch, season-defining fixtures and here his lack of speed was savagely exposed by both goalscorer­s as they took the Red Devils to the cleaners late in the second half.

He was also lucky to avoid a second yellow card.

Injuries have proved incredibly harmful to United’s progress but nobody can deny this is a side that has simply gone backwards.

There is no game plan or

solution and you begin to wonder how long this will be allowed to continue.

They only looked threatenin­g on the counter-attack but, in fairness, could have been ahead before half-time when Alejandro Garnacho made a mess of two lightning breaks.

Alphonse Areola also had to be alert to push Kobbie Mainoo’s bouncing drive away from goal before Antony’s dangerous cross flashed across the six-yard box.

West Ham regrouped after the interval and went close when Bowen’s header was beaten away by the paw of Andre Onana.

Then Bowen couldn’t believe his luck, while Ten Hag couldn’t believe his eyes, as the England winger notched the opener in the 72nd minute.

He played a one-two with Lucas Paqueta before playing a one-two off Onana and gratefully tapping home.

This was yet another high-profile mistake from United’s £47million recruit between the sticks.

Yet it got worse as Kudus made sure of the points when he burst through and fired home into the corner with his right foot.

Ten Hag has spent £142m on former Ajax players. But the one he chose not to sign in Kudus looks the best of the bunch as £72m recruit Rasmus Hojlund – pulled off for Marcus Rashford (right) – continues his wait for his first top-flight goal.

The electric Kudus already has 10 in all competitio­ns.

 ?? ?? HAM SLAM: Bowen slots the opener
HAM SLAM: Bowen slots the opener
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