United hang on for Hammers win
Scores and OFF!
By Chris
September 28 2014
Wayne Rooney hit the net and was sent off as Manchester United made hard work of claiming a narrow 2-1 victory over West Ham at Old Trafford on Saturday.
In the Red Devils' first game of the season not to be broadcast live on British TV, Rooney and Robin van Persie found the target in the opening 22 minutes as United bounced back from their recent humiliation at Leicester.
The United skipper eclipsed Thierry Henry's Premier League goalscoring return of 176 as he turned home a Rafael cross to give Louis van Gaal's men the lead.
RVP's low shot doubled the advantage, but the Hammers fought back through Diafra Sakho's header, and Rooney's dismissal for a challene on Stewart Downing after half-time piled pressure on the hosts.
The Hammers missed a host of chances in the closing stages, whilst Kevin Nolan had an effort ruled out for offside, as United clung on for three crucial points.
Under-21 skipper Tom Thorpe made his first appearance from the bench in the closing stages, joining debutant defender Paddy McNair on the field, as van Gaal hit back at critics suggesting the club is ignoring its young talent.
Whilst the performance was far from polished, United will be delighted at returning to winning ways following the debacle at Filbert Way, and are back in action next weekend at home to Everton.
Full Time - Manchester United 2-1 West Ham United (Attendance: 75,317)