UNITED’S CAKEWALK
Januzaj and Welbeck cut loose in a Hammer horror show
THE chant spread through the visitors’ end in the dying moments; clean, reasonable, defiant, ironic. ‘You’re nothing special,’ sang the West Ham fans. ‘We lose every week.’ And if it was not entirely accurate, then it was close enough to make the point.
The notion that Manchester United might lose three successive home league games for the first time in more than 30 years was never seriously entertained. Instead, they restored a measure of confidence with their fourth successive win in all competitions. In truth, they were no better than they had to be, and a more accomplished side might have caused them discomfort. But when you are struggling for form and consistency, then West Ham are precisely the opponents you want to face.
Sam Allardyce’s side were as inept as their reputation. They have long since discarded any desire to attract or entertain, but there have been times these past couple of years when they could grind out results by a mixture of brute strength and intimidation. Even those dubious qualities have been eroded this season as the good teams routinely expose their lack of competence and quality.
Predictably, Allardyce pleaded injuries. He also bemoaned a lack of goals, which would seem a fairly basic shortcoming in a football team. ‘We’re not in a very good position in the league’, observed the manager. ‘We’re obviously all concerned about that, owners included.’ The fact that they appear to be placing most of their hopes on the return of Andy Carroll is merely evidence of their desperation.
David Moyes suppressed his delight in the victory and regretted the chances which had escaped. It was a reasonable reflection. His team ought to have punished West Ham. As it was they let them off with a light cuff and a wag of the finger. Had they doubled their harvest, they would not have been flattered.
But there were solid reasons for satisfaction. The attacking players came through in some style. Wayne Rooney was persistently influential, floating a pass here, winning a muscular scuffle there, performing throughout with pleasing maturity. Danny Welbeck scored an impressive opening goal, and young Adnan Januzaj, although being justly booked for a dive, continued to make dizzying progress. Yet, on the day, the most effective was full-back Rafael, who made astute interceptions, mounted thrilling charges and generally ravaged the left of West Ham’s defence.
All this after an opening which was sufficiently stumbling to give even a team like West Ham small reason for hope. There was a time when United attacked in great waves; now they came treading fearfully; uncertain of touch and movement. You could sense the nerves all over Old Trafford.
It took Welbeck’s fine goal to settle them. On 26 minutes, United organised movement down the left. Welbeck played a back-heel inside to Rooney, who held the pass intelligently, before enabling the linking Welbeck to drive calmly across the goalkeeper and inside the far corner. It was Welbeck’s first goal at Old Trafford in 14 months.
West Ham began to fret and fray at this demonstration of their inadequacies. Ravel Morrison was booked for a ludicrous hack at Tom Cleverley, then, on 36 minutes, the lead was extended. Welbeck, ignoring claims that he was coming back from an offside position, played a short pass to Januzaj, who paused long enough to sell James Collins the grandstand before bringing the ball on to his right foot and defeating Adrian.
Up in the directors box, Sir Alex Ferguson sprang to his feet; flapping his hands in acclaim. It was quite like old times.
United should have taken a third when Rafael sprinted the length of the field to support Antonio Valencia, who lifted his shot tamely over the top. But even at this stage, the outcome was not in serious doubt, for United were playing all the football, while West Ham’s highest ambitions concerned simple survival.
The pattern held through the second half, with West Ham bookings mounting. The worst offence was the dreadful lunge which George McCartney hurled at Januzaj, an offence which might have brought more than a mere caution.
The argument was effectively concluded on 72 minutes with a meticulous goal. Rafael romped down the touchline and played a perceptive ball to free Valencia. It was fed inside to Rooney, who rolled a pass across the area. Ashley Young, on for Januzaj, curled a drive beyond Adrian with practically his first touch.
West Ham scored a curious goal in the 80th minute, as the United
defence fell into a hideous tangle; three defenders pressing up while substitute Alexander Buttner held back to play Carlton Cole onside. Given a free run on goal, Cole rolled in the chance.
It was what used to be called a ‘consolation’ score, but there was no consolation for West Ham at Old Trafford. In truth they will be fortunate to find any during the rest of this woeful season.