It was a battle between two injury ravaged United’s at Upton Park as both sides’ concerns grew with more names to add to the wounded list, but in terms of the football, there was only one team in it – four goals, each beautifully constructed in their own way, scored by Manchester United.
There were the expected changes after the Carling Cup win over Spurs but Darron Gibson clearly did enough to keep his place in the team – however, the opening exchanges hinted that West Ham would give United a run for their money. Giggs misplaced a pass that Hines collected – his cross shot across the face of goal was almost converted by Collison who was snuffed out by the backtracking Giggs – this early chance was really the closest the Hammers came to notching a goal in the first half.
United then had a penalty shout when a Patrice Evra cross hit Jonathan Spector’s hand – the appeal was dismissed.
It became a tale of long range efforts Wayne Rooney hit a 30 yard speculative tester that went comfortably over and Gibson and Scholes were similarly wayward from range, while Giggs headed over from 15 yards five minutes before the interval.
The visitors defensive injury woes were compounded when skipper Gary Neville pulled up just after the half hour mark and had to be replaced by Michael Carrick who shifted into central defence, meaning the Champions now have 5 central midfielders on the pitch. West Ham still couldn’t take advantage however and as the first period moved into stoppage time it was the most experienced of that midfield quintet that gave United the lead.
Paul Scholes had made the morning media with comments that seemed to hint at uncertainty over his future, but ever the pro, he latched onto a bounching ball to control and then half volley with his left foot from 18 yards that Rob Green at full stretch could only get a hand to as the ball went in the top corner.
On the hour, United doubled their advantage. A cute build up between Giggs and Rooney saw the Welshman outfox two markers and square the ball for Gibson. Gibson needed no invitation from 25 yards and struck the ball so fast that not only was Green helpless but also almost all of the cameramen were caught out as a wicked outside bend forced the ball into the corner of the net.
For all the criticism levelled at Gibson after the Besiktas game he will no doubt receive a polarised opinion the form of over the top plaudits – and rightly so after this latest stunner – but there is still plenty of scope for improvement in his game. His eye for goal and ability to strike is clear for all to see but his use of the ball and single mindedness sometimes lets him down – that said, these are things that should be sorted out with natural progression and if he continues to develop at such a pace Sir Alex’s recent declaration that he “can’t hold him back” anymore may be completely true.
The goal was the Irishman’s last contribution before being brought off for Berbatov, and the Bulgarian was involved in a move that almost added to the lead as Evra flashed a shot wide. Diamanti then saw his free kick brilliantly saved by Kuszczak who is beginning to make a real claim for the number 1 spot as van der Sar’s inevitable retirement draws ever closer.
At the other end, United didn’t have to wait too long to register again as the Giggs and Rooney combination opened up the defence once again and Anderson’s flashed pass across the face of goal was gratefully tucked away by Valencia.
West Ham were reeling and almost immediately were sucker punched again as Valencia turned provider, latching onto Berbatov’s pass to drill across goal giving Rooney a comfortable chance to convert and make it successive four goal away hauls in the league.
The home side were forced into changing their keeper after Green picked up a knock and the injury farce continued further as Wes Brown limped off after United had made all their changes, pushing Evra to centre back as Giggs dropped to left back, yet it spoke volumes of the effort levels that even in the third minute of stoppage time Giggs was racing up into the Hammers area to get into a crossing position.
The four goal hammering may look a little harsh on the beleagured hosts but the Champions are beginning to get into a groove which sees them simply unplayable in periods of games. Ferguson is a master of playing to his sides strengths and re-inventing his side into a free scoring, unpredictable counter attacking side pours scorn on those critics who said United would struggle to score without a certain moody Portuguese.
Ratings : Kuszczak 8, Fletcher 7, Neville 6 (Carrick 7), Brown 7, Evra 8, Anderson 8, Scholes 8, Gibson 8 (Berbatov 7), *Valencia 8, Rooney 8 (Owen), Giggs 8
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