Heaven was hooked at half time, but this big-money United star was the worst player on the pitch in dismal 1-1 draw

Manchester United were pegged back late by a resilient West Ham side as Ruben Amorim‘s men laboured to a disappointing 1-1 draw at Old Trafford this evening. Here is The Peoples Person’s player ratings for the match, one which represents another missed opportunity for the Red Devils. (A score of 6 is around average) Starting XI Senne Lammens (7) – Dealt with everything that came his way in a similar manner to his personality, quiet and confident. Could do nothing for the goal – his performance deserved a clean sheet that his teammates failed to deliver. Noussair Mazraoui (6) – United’s defence looked shaky in the first half, influenced largely by Heaven’s struggles and a back three who had not played together before. Mazraoui improved as the game progressed, showing his quality in both directions, and linked nicely with Amad. Unlucky with West Ham’s goal after his goal-line saving clearance was unfairly punished. Ayden Heaven (3) – Booked early after a late challenge on Jarrod Bowen and struggled acutely throughout the first half. Hooked at the interval in place of Leny Yoro after an unimpressive showing, but an understandable one for a 20-year-old defender making their first start in nearly three months. Luke Shaw (5) – Suffered in a new-look, but shaky, defence in the first half, but made some important challenges. Should offer more going forward, given his technical quality on the ball. Increasingly feels like Amorim must try him at left wing-back with Martinez’s return to the pitch. Amad (8) – United’s best player, despite not contributing to the goal. Electric at times in an otherwise drab first half, Amad carried his side’s only attacking threat. There is a sense he is deployed too deep on the pitch at wing-back, and could offer much more stationed ten yards further forward. His absence in a few weeks for the African Cup of Nations will be a major detriment. Casemiro (6) – The Brazilian was solid defensively and offered incisive passing going forward. His deflected cross led to Dalot’s goal, but tonight was simply further evidence that a younger replacement is needed come the summer. Bruno Fernandes (7) – United’s captain offered his usual level of inventiveness with the ball and industry without it. Hit the post in the first half with a superb scissor kick, and was unlucky not to get an assist with one of his crosses. Shanked a good chance in the final seconds of the game, but it was a very difficult one. Another player who feels like his attacking threat is limited by his head coach’s demands of him, ala Amad. Diogo Dalot (7.5) – A great first touch and finish, reminiscent of a seasoned number nine, put United 1-0 up after converting Casemiro’s cross. Validation for Amorim given he was talking up Dalot’s attacking abilities earlier in the week. Solid defensively, despite again being stationed on his unfavoured side. Often maligned by fans, both fairly and unfairly, this was a nice moment for a player who always gives 100%. United were worse after he went off the pitch. Bryan Mbeumo (4) – One of his poorer performances, despite a few bright moments. Thrives in space – and West Ham starved him of any. Amad offers more against low blocks and Mbeumo will have to improve his ability to play in tight spaces. Matheus Cunha (2) – Horrendous. The worst player on the pitch and baffling the Brazilian, who lacked any semblance of silky samba football tonight, lasted as long as he did. Context is key – he has just returned from a serious head injury – but Cunha needs to improve sharpish to justify his big-money capture in the summer. Joshua Zirkzee (5) – Some lovely touches at times but lacks the clinical touch this system needs from its centre-forward. Remains something of an enigma – neither a number nine, nor a number ten – and feels increasingly unlikely it will ever click for him in English football. Substitutes Leny Yoro (7) – Brought on at half time in place of Heaven and dealt with West Ham’s physicality much better than his teammate. Big improvement with some excellent challenges. A well-earned return to form after a difficult match last weekend, proving Amorim was right to take him out of the firing line. Patrick Dorgu (3) – Replaced Dalot at left wing-back, offering little defensively and nothing offensively. A new option on the left is desperately needed. Mason Mount (4) – Brought on to replace Cunha in the 77th minute, with Mbeumo shifting up top and Mount playing as the left-sided ten in the Brazilian’s place. Anonymous. Manuel Ugarte (4) – Despite his poor performances recently, Amorim turned to the former Sporting man to buttress United’s midfield, with Fernandes pushed forward and Ugarte stationed alongside Casemiro. It was a negative decision – and those are the type a United manager should not make, as it proved. Offered nothing. Lisandro Martinez (N/A) – Replaced Shaw in the final few minutes. Not enough time to make a meaningful impact on the game, but showed his repertoire of forward passing from deep. Player Ratings vs Burnley Player Rating / 10 Senne Lammens7 Noussair Mazraoui6 Ayden Heaven3 Luke Shaw5 Amad8 Casemiro6 Bruno Fernandes7 Diogo Dalot7.5 Bryan Mbeumo4 Matheus Cunha2 Joshua Zirkzee5 Leny Yoro7 Patrick Dorgu3 Mason Mount4 Manuel Ugarte4 Lisandro MartinezN/A The Red Devils are next in action on Monday night as they travel to Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers with nothing less than three points an acceptable return after tonight’s woeful result. Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.