The Red Devils' young forwards strutted their stuff in a near complete display from Erik ten Hag's side at Old Trafford
Manchester United's history has been written by young fearless forwards, and both Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho followed in this fine tradition by slaying West Ham with a ruthless attacking display on Sunday.
Birthday-boy Hojlund got the ball rolling with a clinic of attacking play, weaving between two defenders before drilling the ball home from just inside the area.
Garnacho picked up the baton in the second half, putting United further at ease with a heavily deflected strike off Nayef Aguerd, and then produced an assured and clinical strike to wrap up the three points and give Erik ten Hag's side a third consecutive victory.
A very pleasing afternoon was tarnished when Lisandro Martinez hobbled off the pitch, having tried to battle through the pain. United will hope it's not a major injury as the Argentine defender is just as crucial to the Red Devils' hopes of a real revival.
GOAL rates United's players from Old Trafford…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Andre Onana (7/10):
Made a fine save to keep out Soucek's early deflected header. Looks more confident and less erratic.
Diogo Dalot (8/10):
Decent going forward and produced one of the moments of the game with his lung-busting run back and sliding block on Bowen.
Harry Maguire (5/10):
Looked rusty in his first start since December. Robbed by Emerson near his own area and struggled to keep up with the pace for parts of the game.
Lisandro Martinez (7/10):
Excellent. Kept Bowen in his pocket, showed controlled aggression and won the big challenges. So it was a real concern that he hobbled off injured.
Luke Shaw (6/10):
An assuring presence, you can feel the difference all over the team when he starts.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield
Kobbie Mainoo (7/10):
Another complete performance in the middle, dictating United's play and gliding around the pitch gracefully. Got a deserved standing ovation when replaced.
Casemiro (6/10):
A solid display, doing a fine job of shielding the back four. Got a scrappy assist, although his passing was far from perfect.
Bruno Fernandes (6/10):
Good at linking the play. Nearly scored a worldie in first half, but was denied by a fine save from Areola.
Getty ImagesAttack
Alejandro Garnacho (9/10):
Ran his socks off from the start, harrying Areola. Decisive in the second half with two goals, one with a stroke of luck and the other a touch of class.
Rasmus Hojlund (8/10):
Now looking like an inspired signing. Scored for the fourth league game running and it was a goal of real quality. Also worked tirelessly and held the ball up well.
Marcus Rashford (6/10):
Played well, although his fellow forwards took centre-stage this time. Crowd seem to be supporting him again.
Getty ImagesSubs & Manager
Scott McTominay (6/10):
Looked dangerous when he came on, but his shooting accuracy was lacking.
Raphael Varane (7/10):
Ensured United were still rock solid after Martinez came off.
Victor Lindelof (N/A):
Got a couple of minutes from the bench in a first appearance in two months after recovering from injury.
Antony (N/A):
Came on in the 88th minute.
Erik ten Hag (7/10):
Now has his strongest starting XI and his team look much, much better. But can it last?