Manchester United’s scoring woes continued on Saturday in a 2-0 Premier League defeat at West Ham, with Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus scoring in the second half.
United has now gone four games without scoring in all competitions, something that hasn’t happened since 1992, and in five of its previous six games. Rasmus Hojlund, the club’s $82 million offseason acquisition, came off in the 57th minute, extending his Premier League drought to 14 games.
What United would give to have a player like Bowen, who exchanged passes with Lucas Paqueta and bundled in a finish past goalkeeper Andre Onana on the second attempt in the 72nd minute to give West Ham the lead.
In the 78th minute, Kudus capitalized on a mistake by Kobbie Mainoo before being sent through by Paqueta to score the second goal. It was his fourth goal for Ghana in as many games.
The late goals spoiled a serene United debut by Willy Kambwala, a 19-year-old defender who was brought in to help address a center-back crisis and did little wrong alongside Jonny Evans – a guy 16 years older.
The troubles at the other end of the field are bound to worry United manager Erik ten Hag after the team’s 13th defeat in 26 games this season in all competitions.
West Ham moved ahead of Manchester United, who will be seventh before Christmas.