Manchester United 0-1 West Ham United: 5 talking points as the Hammers win at Old Trafford | EFL Cup 2021-22

#3 Donny van de Beek stakes his claim

Donny van de Beek impressed against West Ham United.

Donny van de Beek has had a very tough time since his transfer to Manchester United last summer. This is quite simply because Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has not found a way to incorporate the Dutchman into his plans.

Van de Beek consistently proved his ability to compete with the very best while at Ajax but has had limited opportunities to show that at Old Trafford. However, his performance against West Ham should help his cause in front of the manager.

Paired alongside veteran Nemanja Matic in Solskjaer's 4-2-3-1 formation, van de Beek was energetic in midfield. The former Ajax midfielder created perhaps Manchester United's biggest chance of the game as he dinked in a lovely ball for Mason Greenwood which the latter failed to finish.

His performance was not faultless as he was sloppy at times but he did more than enough to prove to Solskjaer that he deserves a bigger role in the squad.

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#2 West Ham's rise continues at pace

West Ham United have been impressive under David Moyes

Two seasons ago, David Moyes' West Ham were on the brink of relegation as they avoided the drop by just five points. The Hammers, however, kept faith in their manager and trusted him to steady the ship.

Two seasons later, it's looking like the West Ham board made the right call. The London club finished sixth in the Premier League last season just two points below the Champions League spots. It was enough, however, for them to secure Europa League football ahead of giants like Arsenal.

The Hammers have continued their strong run this campaign, losing just once in all competitions - a 2-1 loss to Manchester United in the league last weekend. West Ham have already won perhaps the most difficult game of their Europa League campaign, when they recorded a 2-0 away win over Dinamo Zagreb.

West Ham's win over Manchester United on the Red Devils' home turf only gives more value to the massive strides the Hammers have made under Moyes.

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#1 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may be running out of time at Manchester United

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

When Solskjaer was appointed Manchester United boss in 2018, the club were evidently in a very bad place. It was perhaps one of their darkest periods in recent years. While the results were poor, the squad's morale was said to be even poorer and there were reports of disunity in the side as well after Jose Mourinho's sacking.

Solskjaer was tasked with the feat of turning Manchester United back into a side that could compete once again with the best of the best. The Norwegian had to make hard decisions in his first full campaign as he released several senior figures at the club and put his faith in the youth.

Two years later and it is safe to say Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has achieved the initial plan laid out for him - turning Manchester United into contenders. However, silverware has been expected to follow by many and that has evaded the Norwegian at every step of the way.

Solskjaer lost three semifinals in his first full season in charge at Manchester United. He then made it to the final of the Europa League last season but lost once again. Manchester United have begun their Champions League run this campaign poorly as well, losing to Young Boys, a team many fancied them to beat.

Now the Red Devils are out of the running for the Carabao Cup in the very first round. One cannot help but wonder how much more time Solskjaer will be given to deliver silverware at Old Trafford.