Manchester United snatch victory over West Ham after Rashford’s late winner

Arm-wrestle, tug of war, non-event, a fair share of the spoils: this was precisely where this contest was heading until, deep into added time, Marcus Rashford finished Edinson Cavani’s cross from the left to send himself, Manchester United, and the Old Trafford faithful into ecstasy. Cue Rashford, who has been off-colour, rushing across the Stretford End to knee-slide, joined by his jubilant teammates.

Ralf Rangnick can take well deserved credit as both Cavani and Rashford were attacking, late introductions, as the German chased victory.

Before the showstopping climax this had been a match of mediocre fare that did not augur well for either team’s Champions League qualification hopes. Yet for Manchester United, who leapfrog West Ham into fourth – until Sunday, at least – the picture changes following a victory in Rangnick’s 10th game as the interim manager.

The first action featured a Mason Greenwood shot that was blocked when he might have passed – a recurring fault of his that can frustrate Rangnick. Fernandes, too, made the wrong decision when hitting a cross-field pass that lacked power: Jarrod Bowen dragged the ball down, surged forward and shot, though not on target, a recurring theme.

The next error came when Vladimir Coufal dawdled and was mugged by Fernandes, the right-back having to concede a free-kick. Cristiano Ronaldo hit this into West Ham’s wall and Greenwood – again – took aim and was once more unable to test Alphonse Areola, West Ham’s debutant goalkeeper.

Harry Maguire, Manchester United’s sole change in place of the excused Victor Lindelof, whose home had been broken into during the week, was up against Michail Antonio and the centre-forward’s clumsy touch allowed the captain to win their first duel.