Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer glanced behind him as Marcus Rashford pulled up with a groin injury in the second half.
Romelu Lukaku’s gone. Anthony Martial’s injured and Mason Greenwood’s ill. So he threw on Jesse Lingard at centre-forward.
The same Jesse Lingard who’s scored 17 league goals for Manchester United since 2011.
This is Manchester United - but not as we know it. Rashford’s injury - that could leave the forward doubtful for not only United’s forthcoming fixtures but England’s upcoming Euro 2020 double-header against Czech Republic and Bulgaria - is unfortunate, of course.
But it shines a light over the mistakes that have riddled United’s poor transfer business in recent years. Lukaku had no real future under Solsjkaer, that was clear.
But the fact he wasn’t replaced is negligent at best.
The club’s failure to do so has left their manager struggling to pick up the pieces.
United’s attacking options are alarmingly exposed ahead their Carabao Cup ties against Rochdale on Wednesday - but more pertinently Arsenal on Monday week.
With Rashford now facing a race against time to be available for the visit of Unai Emery’s side, Solsjkaer will be pinning his hopes on having Martial available.
If not then, Greenwood - providing he shakes of his illness - will be hastily thrust into the limelight.
Sojskjaer’s faith in the 17-year-old is unshakable. All the indicators so far suggest the United manager’s belief in his teenager is warranted.
Nonetheless, starting Greenwood against the Gunners wouldn’t have been Solsjkaer’s preferred route.
But that’s the reality for the United boss right now. Another failure against West Ham merely added to the growing feeling that Solsjkaer is on a hiding to nothing.
Why it's been allowed to come to this, though, is a question Solskjaer shouldn’t have answer.
That’s a failure the board must take responsibility for.
Ultimately, though, there’s one man who will inevitably be punished for the way United’s squad has been allowed to deteriorate.
Solskjaer doesn't have to be told who that man is.
dusaprsz
0
sell your best striker and buy defenders...
wozekltuyz
1
Let me opt to go to hell after putting off mother vagina sucker Ole
wozekltuyz
0
Let Useless overrated player to injured and prolong 10000 years
Jizdmnsz
2
there was many rumours indicating MU interest many top class players but end up buy 3 players that cost a bomb & worst never buy striker. they will have problems making even top 6
yinakopt
1
7. We sell players (striker) and we don't buy a replacement.
yinakopt
1
1. We sell players and buy young players who are said to be inexperienced. 2. Our attackers are weak in physical and mental. 3. Our midfielders are not creative. 4. Inconsistent. 5. There are no leaders to be mentored like Keane, Erik Cantona and Robson 6. Transfer market not effective
lazychild
0
rashford should have score the very best chance he had.. too bad his decision making stil very bad compare to all our legend and even greenwood or martial are much better than him
we lack of creativity midfielder bro.. thats why the attack too direct..
Ovieski
0
Manchester United lost to West ham today because VAR was asleep, No penalty for Rashford to play. two out of three of Rashford's goals this season are from PK....
yinakopt
1
Who's been blamed? The manager? or a Player? or CEO? Let's share your views
joaackmz
1
where on earth do you play the whole season without a recognised striker, Manchester united board are very strange. Finishing in the top 8 this season will be a great achievement.
MohammedRaheem
0
Manchester united need to find another player for penalty
BayernJosh234
3
Lukaku face right now
FootballAllFootball
1
Dont worry we have lord lingard[Crylaugh]
yinakopt
0
Now we don't have any experienced attacks? Lukaku's was sold without replacement. all we want is a strong physical striker and a creative midfielder?
JazzyJeff123
0
Poor transfer business. Sign just two players and they are defenders. So we have this squad full of defenders that we did not sell to balance our books. However we sold Lukaku and Sanchez and did not even buy a striker or forward. Not even a number 10. So now the squad is depleted on the forward line. Not to mention the younger forwards a performing better than our starters and they are not given the chance.
Specialonedxb
2
Doesnt if he is injured or not, even when he is fully fit still plays like he is injured
kuccklty
0
win is only consern
hedklosz
0
rashford should have score the very best chance he had.. too bad his decision making stil very bad compare to all our legend and even greenwood or martial are much better than him
sell him and see how He will shine
edereus
1
different managers same results
vezabdikns
0
hated it
vezabdikns
0
good business #management mufc
lazychild
3
rashford should have score the very best chance he had.. too bad his decision making stil very bad compare to all our legend and even greenwood or martial are much better than him
lazychild
1
thats sound good as we wil see greenwood have chances to play more football.. should start rojo at the left and gomes at number 10 instead of ashley and mata... both of them should be come on from bench on min 80 which we need experience player to handle the pressure(if we leading that time)
Saucy11
1
At least we don't have to face Rashford, but get well soon bro
Henryrukis
0
MAN UNITED ARE GRADUALLY JOINING THE INJURY LEAGUE.[Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]