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Late equalizer dashes United's Premier League ambitions
Manchester United's pursuit of a top-four finish suffered another setback Thursday after West Ham's Soungoutou Magassa scored an 83rd-minute equalizer to secure a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. The result left United in eighth place, four points adrift of fifth, and drew sharp criticism from fans and pundits alike.
Amorim vents frustration after defensive lapse
Manager Ruben Amorim admitted his side lost control in the game's closing stages, allowing West Ham to capitalize on a long ball and second-ball duel. "We had everything under control until the 83rd minute," he said, though his demeanor suggested deeper frustration. "We must do better."
Amorim ruled out an immediate team meeting, opting to address issues at the club's Carrington training ground Friday. He dismissed comparisons to his January outburst after a Brighton defeat, when he injured his hand and damaged a dressing-room TV.
Keane slams United's defensive frailties
Former captain Roy Keane questioned the team's resilience, telling Sky Sports: "I wouldn't trust or believe in this team. Defensively and in midfield, there are still huge question marks." His criticism echoed fan reactions, with supporters booing the players off the pitch.
Keane highlighted a recurring pattern: "One minute, you think they're making progress, but they don't get the job done. They look frightened."
Pattern of dropped points raises concerns
United's recent form has seen them squander leads in four of their last five matches. Victories over Nottingham Forest and Tottenham-both of which would have propelled them into second place-ended in draws, while a home loss to Everton left them empty-handed despite playing against 10 men.
October's three-game winning streak earned Amorim the Premier League Manager of the Month award, but the team has since won just once in five outings. The manager rejected suggestions of regression: "It's not going backwards. We had some moments. We are inconsistent."
West Ham boss hails 'deserved' point
West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo praised his side's resilience, calling the equalizer "deserved." The Hammers, third-bottom with just two away points since August, capitalized on a corner when Magassa pounced on a goal-line clearance to score his first English league goal.
Amorim lamented the tactical error: "We cannot let a team that is so much taller than us have a corner."
Wolves test looms as pressure mounts
United's next fixture is Monday against bottom-placed Wolves, a side they will hope to avoid joining the list of teams they've failed to beat in recent weeks. With the gap to fifth widening, another slip could intensify scrutiny of Amorim's project.
"Second balls sometimes are tactical things. We try to adjust with the players we have."
Ruben Amorim
