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Manchester United 2-1 West Ham United 

Saturday, 26th July 2025
by Staff Writer | Forum match thread

Graham Potter was given plenty of food for thought as he watched his team beaten in their opening match of the summer series in New Jersey's Metlife Stadium.

The Hammers fell behind as early as the fifth minute after Alphonse Areola conceded a penalty, concerted by Bruno Fernandes, before the errant goalkeeper conceded possession cheaply allowing the Manchester United skipper to double his account for the evening with a curling effort.

His opposite number Jarrod Bowen gave West Ham brief hope of rescuing the game when he fired home a fierce drive across Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bay??nd??r midway through the second half.

However It proved to be too little too late for the Irons, whose next outing in the competition comes against Everton, who were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth earlier in the day.

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Player Ratings


Fourth-oldest ever appearance maker for the club with this farewell start. Could do nothing with the goal, but made some smart stops, one eye-catching one, and still looks capable at this level. Fabianski has been one of the club's best ever signings, and has staked his claim to be West Ham's best goalkeeper of the Premier League era. Thank you, Fab.


Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Up and down the line all game, he was never really troubled and didn't make a big impression in attack. A worthy HOTY, a great first season.


Ollie Scarles
Every senior game is a learning experience for Scarles, and he improved across the game after being caught out a few times by Hutchinson. A good opening season in the first team, he has seemingly cemented himself as an option in the team and the squad from now on.


Jean-Clair Todibo
Repeated errors of judgement when going for challenges and engaging in duels that he did not need to be forcing the issue on. The goal exposed him, but it was not the first or last big mistake. He has had a topsy-turvy year in his first season in England, and the club will likely wish that obligation in his loan signing was not part of the contract.


Konstantinos Mavropanos
Much-maligned, Mavropanos never gives anything but 100% effort and played well here. One mistake he then instantly cleaned up himself, and he was otherwise calm and strong in defence.


Max Kilman
Will not look back at this first season at the club with much fondness, but he has shown enough to suggest there is more to come. He has become a bit of a target due to his price tag, but he's had a solid, if unspectacular season and looks far from the problem of this team's defensive work. The block at the end of today's game to keep it 3-1 was fantastic.


James Ward-Prowse
Energetic performance and maintained possession well, getting his first goal of the season. For Ward-Prowse, it has been an incredibly frustrating year, first sent out on loan, then barely used there. He came back to a team struggling to perform and has worked hard in a position that isn't necessarily to his suiting, deepest in midfield to protect possession. The way he got into the box and was high on the press to get his goal is probably more what he wants to be doing, and he will hope the midfield signings are good enough that he can play in this role more often.


Edson Alvarez
If this was his final audition to earn a place next year, he did not look to pass it. He doesn't pass well enough for what Potter looks to do and is not one for control, which Potter wants. He is more erratic, and a move suits both parties. Here, he was busy and showed his defensive workrate, but he looks short of the technical skills the manager wants and the team needs.


Tomas Soucek
Another game where he was box-to-box without much impact. It is hard to judge what his role will be when things change with recruitment, but he looks like a player who will be useful in rotation rather than a key starter.


Jarrod Bowen
A goal and an assist to send a message to Tuchel, although considering his recent form it appears the German isn't watching West Ham games anyway. The anticipation to win the ball for the first goal is elite, and the reverse pass is a beautifully cute assist. His goal is then brilliant. The only times Fullkrug looked anywhere near a Premier League player was with Bowen near him, and at least there were signs those two could build an understanding.


Niclas Fullkrug
His moments with Bowen looked promising, but he was a passenger otherwise. A frustrating first season, and with no guarantees there will be another.



Substitutes

Vladimir Coufal
(Scarles 73') Not much of Coufal today, but he has been an absolute warrior for the club and will be missed.


Mohammed Kudus
(Fullkrug 73') It could have been his goodbye, but that is a good cameo performance for a substitute, with a great finish. Five goals and three assists is not a good enough season, but his improvement under Potter has been promising.


Guido Rodriguez
(Ward-Prowse 80') A good finish to a bad season for Guido, who still looks a little too slow, but flew forward to get an assist late on.


Lucas Paqueta
(Alvarez 80') Couldn't influence the game.


Aaron Cresswell
(Todibo 90+') 11 years, one of the few left who had played at Upton Park, and a European champion with that Conference League win. In this reporter's eyes, he has surpassed Julian Dicks as the best left back for West Ham of the Premier League era. A special left foot and a character that nobody wants to lose, it has been a joy to see him finish the season so strongly.


Alphonse Areola
Did not play.


Andy Irving
Did not play.


Luis Guilherme
Did not play.


Danny Ings
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: , Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Ollie Scarles, Jean-Clair Todibo, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Max Kilman, James Ward-Prowse, Edson Alvarez, Tomas Soucek, Jarrod Bowen, Niclas Fullkrug.

Goals: James Ward-Prowse 43 Jarrod Bowen 55 Mohammed Kudus 87              .

Booked: Max Kilman 0          .

Sent Off: None sent off.     .

Manchester United: .

Subs not used: .

Goals: .

Booked: .

Sent off: None.

Referee: .

Attendance: 0.

Man of the Match: .