Four things we learnt as United sink to new low with pathetic 0-2 loss to West Ham

Manchester United welcomed West Ham United to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League.

Altay Bayindir started in nets as Ruben Amorim decided to rest Andre Onana. Luke Shaw and Noussair Mazraoui were named centre backs with Leny Yoro taking up the role of middle centre back.

Amad returned to the starting line up at right wing back, while Harry Amass got another chance to impress at left wing back.

Bruno Fernandes began alongside Manuel Ugarte in the centre of midfield with Kobbie Mainoo ahead of them in one of the number ten positions. Mason Mount was given a start after his outstanding performance off the bench versus Athletic Club. Finally, Rasmus Hojlund was named as the number nine with Chido Obi left on the bench.

Here are four things we learnt from the match.

United going through the motions

Ruben Amorim’s side are in an awkward position as they desperately need to improve their woeful league form.

Nonetheless, they can barely afford to pick up any injuries ahead of a massive showdown with Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final in just ten days.

It was clear that the team very much had their foot off the gas as they looked to be going through the motions for significant periods of the match.

There was a moment in the 23rd minute of play when the team just held on to the ball and turned down numerous opportunities to cross before ultimately cheaply losing possession.

The Old Trafford crowd showed their displeasure and even after the visitors opened the scoring, there was barely any murmur of a reaction from Amorim’s team.

Amass needs a loan

United have given a few young players a chance to shine since the March international break and none have received more opportunities than wing back, Harry Amass.

The 18 year old has had some positive moments but he clearly is not quite ready to be a member of the senior squad.

He switched off in defence for Tomáš Souček’s opener and seemed hesitant to deliver crosses into the area when in attacking positions.

To be fair to him, he is playing in a poor side that is hardly the most motivated in the Premier League at the moment.

The youngster would probably benefit from a loan move to the Championship if not a newly promoted Premier League side in the summer.

The Englishman is clearly a talent but not all teenagers are ready to come into the first eleven. He will hopefully get the chance to develop outside of the spotlight and come back ready to play a part in United’s first team in the future.

Injury disaster

The one thing Amorim would have hoped for before the match would have been not to pick up any injuries to his key players ahead of the Europa League final.

It only took five minutes of the second half for that nightmare to become a reality.

Leny Yoro has been one of the few genuine bright sparks for United this season but his participation in the final looks in significant doubt.

He left the pitch in glum fashion and headed straight down the tunnel with what seemed a foot injury. United fans will be hoping for good news after the match on his fitness but with only a matter of days to recover, it will be a race against time.

Hojlund’s wastefulness continues

The Dane scored his 10th goal of the season against Athletic Club on Thursday but he was back to his worst this afternoon.

Hojlund has often been criticised for not getting involved in games but he had two clear chances today that he really should have buried.

A one-on-one opportunity and a chance from only inches out were both stopped by the visitors’ keeper when he should have had no chance.

United have many problems but surely their biggest is lacking a number nine who can take even the most basic of chances.

Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images

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