West Ham 0 Manchester United 2: Mike Dean wrongly sent off Sofiane Feghouli as Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic fired Red Devils to victory

MANCHESTER UNITED eased to victory against West Ham in the second half at the London Stadium thanks to second half goals from Juan Mata and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Slaven Bilic’s side were quick out of the blocks and were on the front foot, stretching the Red Devils, but their positive play was undone by referee Mike Dean on 15 minutes.

Winger Sofiane Feghouli wrongly saw red after he was late when sliding in on Phil Jones and after immediately blowing his whistle, to the shock of everyone in the stadium, the Algerian international received his marching orders.

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Jose Mourinho’s side then went on to boss possesion but despite their dominance they found it difficult to test Darren Randolph.

But their relentless pressure nearly paid off when Henrikh Mkhitaryan crossed the ball to Antonio Valencia but Randolph pulled off a great save to deny him from three yards out.

And spectators could not work out how United did not take the lead as Jesse Lingard managed to hit the post, with an open goal at his mercy.

The Hammers then responded and proved to be a threat of their own even with ten men – forcing David De Gea into a great save.

Manuel Lanzini showed great trickery on the on the edge of the box to give himself room for a shot and his effort was destined for the top corner but the Spanish keeper pulled off a terrific stop.

Mourinho looked furious with his side’s below par performance and United came out after the interval on the front foot penning back West Ham.

Michail Antonio, who led the line for the Irons with Andy Carroll on the bench, had a huge opportunity after going through on goal but he fluffed his lines after firing his shot straight at De Gea.

The hosts were then made to pay for their missed opportunity as second-half subsitutes Marcus Rashford and Mata paired up to put United in the lead.

The young England striker worked his way along the byline before showing composure to pick out the attacking midfielder who slotted his shot past Randolph.

West Ham struggled to get back into the match and were fortunate not go two behind when Rashford was slipped in by Ibrahimovic, as the youngster’s effort slipped through Randolph’s hands only to be denied by the post.

Ibrahimovic then put the game to bed in the 78th minute when Pedro Obiang was dispossessed on the edge of the area and the Swede clinicaly crashed home the second.

But replays then showed that the linesman should have clearly flagged for offside as he was stood still whilst West Ham’s defensive line stepped up.

STATS, FACTS, GOALS & LOLS

• Jose Mourinho makes five changes to the team which fought back to beat Middlesbrough on Saturday.
• West Ham put Andy Carroll on the bench and skipper Mark Noble a sub too after getting a knock at Leicester three days ago.
• Mike Dean controversially sends off Sofiane Feghouli in the 15th minute – the fifth red card from him this season and the most of any ref.

• West Ham defender Havard Nordtveit goes unpunished for scything challenge on Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
• Hammers get a let off when Jesse Lingard hits the post from three yards out in front of an open goal.
• Man Utd sub Juan Mata puts Man Utd ahead in the 63rd minute.
• Zlatan Ibrahimovic offside when he makes it 2-0 with 12 minutes to go.

BIG PICTURE

DREAM TEAM RATINGS

West Ham:  Randolph 7, Nordtveit 6, Reid 6, Ogbonna 6, Cresswell 5, Obiang 6, Kouyate 6 (Fernandez 82, 6), Feghouli 5, Lanzini 6 (Ayew 89, 6), Payet 6 (Carroll 69, 6), Antonio 6.

Unused subs: Adrian, Noble, Fletcher, Quina.

Bookings: Nordveit, Payet.

Sent off: Feghouli.

Manchester United: De Gea 7, Valencia 6, Jones 7, Rojo 7, Darmian 6 (Mata 45, 7), Carrick 7, Herrera 7, Pogba 7, Lingard 6 (Rashford 58, 7), Mkhitaryan 7 (Smalling 65, 6), Ibrahimovic 7.

Unused Subs: Martial, Young, Romero, Fellaini.

Bookings: Valencia, Darmian.

Goals: Mata, Ibrahimovic.

STAR MAN: Pogba.

WHAT THEY SAID

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic speaking to Sky Sports: “I was pleased with the performance, we fought hard and gave everything. I told my players that if we did this we will be alright in the table.

“Ten men against a team like this is very hard, but we had chances. We had to score the goal when you had the chance. That would have lifted us up, I am disappointed with the result and frustrated by how we lost it, but I am proud of my players.”

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho speaking to BBC Sport: “It made it difficult for us, but more difficult for them. Forty-eight hours is tough. It was hard for us to think well with one more man and it was very hard for them physically.

“I was happy with my choices in Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford. They gave us what we needed. Rashford is very professional and very mature, he is a Manchester United player with Manchester United DNA.”