West Ham vs Manchester United result: Aaron Cresswell and Andriy Yarmolenko ensure deserved win
The Red Devils can move up to third in the table with victory, while the Hammers will break into the top four with a win
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United lost Marcus Rashford to injury as they slipped to a demoralising 2-0 defeat at West Ham.
The England striker limped off early in the second half after Andriy Yarmolenko had given the hosts the lead, before Aaron Cresswell finished United off with a stunning free-kick. With Anthony Martial already missing through injury and youngster Mason Greenwood ill, United finished the match without a recognised striker and Jesse Lingard playing in attack.
Rashford's early departure will raise more questions about United's summer transfer business, when they failed to bring in a replacement for Romelu Lukaku.
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Welcome to the Independent's live coverage of West Ham vs Man United.
It promises to be a fine test for United's development under Solskjaer.
And their defence, which is showing signs of progress.
This is a big game for both sides. They both have eight points in the Premier League this season and a win for either would move them into the top four.
Manchester United have managed back-to-back clean sheets in all competitions and managed to hold on to a 1-0 lead against Leicester last time out.
For West Ham they have been undergone a resurgence under Manuel Pellegrini and will see this young Manchester United team as there for the taking.
Early team news
For West Ham, Arthur Masuaku is banned after his sending off against Aston Villa and Manuel Lanzini faces a fitness test.
Michail Antonio and Winston Reid also remain out with long term injuries.
Daniel James suffered a back injury against Leicester last week and Manchester United are hopeful he has overcome it and can play today.
Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial are both unlikely to be fit, while Luke Shaw and Eric Bailly remain sidelined by injuries.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows the task ahead of his team today will not be easy and has explained how a solid defence is the key to winning the game. He said:
"Last time [April's 2-1 home win over West Ham] we were lucky to beat them and it will be a good test. But we have had two clean sheets in a row now and that will give the defenders confidence.
"If we can keep a clean sheet it will be easier for our strikers, who will know we don't have to score twos, threes and fours all the time."
Team news
Manuel Pellegrini makes two changes to the West Ham side that drew 0-0 at Aston Villa las Monday.
Aaron Cresswell replaces the suspended Arthur Masuaku at left-back, while summer signing Pablo Fornals comes in for the injured Manuel Lanzini.
Nemanja Matic and Marcus Rashford are the only two players to remain from Manchester United's starting XI in the midweek Europa League game with Astana.
Mason Greenwood, United's match winner on Thursday, is not included in the squad, but Daniel James starts after recovering from a back problem.
Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw and Eric Bailly all remain sidelined by injuries.
The big news for Manchester United this week was David De Gea signing a new contract to stay with the club until 2023 with the option of another year:
Head-to-head
West Ham have won two of their last four home league games versus Manchester United, as many as they had in their previous 19 home matches against them.
But Manchester United have scored more Premier League goals against West Ham than any other side with 94.
Man Utd have lost only two of the past 21 league meetings between the two sides and they have failed to score in just two of those matches.
The news on Mason Greenwood's omission from the Manchester United squad is that he has tonsillitis.
It's a disappointment for the youngster who was surely considered for a start in today's match following his match winning performance in the Europa League on Thursday.
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