Man Utd league crisis deepens with defeat to West Ham

Following their hard-fought semi-final victory in Europe, manager Ruben Amorim made six changes to the side that secured a place in the final against Tottenham Hotspur. Despite a positive start, in which Amad Diallo tested Alphonse Areola with an early effort, the hosts quickly lost momentum.

West Ham, winless in their previous eight league matches, gradually asserted control. Mohammed Kudus, who was among the most influential players on the pitch, created the opener with a driven cross into the six-yard area. Tomas Soucek was first to react, deftly guiding the ball into the net to give the visitors a deserved lead.

The Red Devil's task was compounded early in the second half when defender Leny Yoro was forced off through injury - a worrying development with the Europa League final less than two weeks away.

The visitors capitalised again shortly thereafter. Aaron Wan-Bissaka pressed high to dispossess Manuel Ugarte, and Kudus advanced decisively before the ball broke kindly back to Wan-Bissaka. Rather than shoot, the full-back squared for Jarrod Bowen, who tapped in from close range to double West Ham's advantage.

Although United pressed for a route back into the match, their efforts lacked cohesion. Their clearest opportunity came when Rasmus Hojlund was denied from close range by Areola, whose performance underscored West Ham's defensive discipline.

Speaking after the match, Amorim expressed frustration at his side's lack of urgency, citing it as a recurring problem throughout the domestic campaign.

"The lack of energy, of urgency - that is the most dangerous thing in this club," the Portuguese manager told Sky Sports. "Between our box and the opponent's box, there is a lack of urgency. That is something we have to change."

He further suggested that United's issues transcend individual performances, pointing to an overarching culture that has yet to meet the demands of top-level football.

“It's something we need to work on - inside the pitch and outside the pitch. If we are not able to do that, we have to give the space to different people. All of us,” he continued.

West Ham's victory, their first in the league since February, lifts them above United into 15th position. The defeat, United's second consecutive loss at Old Trafford, leaves them without a Premier League win since mid-March.

Though a Europa League title remains within reach, Amorim was clear-eyed about the broader picture.

"For me, it doesn't matter if we win the Europa League. The problems are much bigger than that," he said.

As the season nears its conclusion, United find themselves facing a sobering reality: silverware may offer consolation, but a significant internal reset will be required to reestablish their place among the domestic elite.