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Manchester United's chase for the EFL Cup was cut short right at the beginning by David Moyes' West Ham United. The Red Devils were beaten 1-0 via an early goal from midfielder Manuel Lanzini.
Like their league meeting last weekend, West Ham United opened the scoring in the game. Manchester United could not, however, complete a turnaround as they did on Sunday (September 19). Multiple first-team players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Pogba and Fred, were absent for the Red Devils as their fringe players got some gametime.
The goal scored by Lanzini came after good work from Ryan Fredericks down the right. The fullback brilliantly burst past three Manchester United players before cutting the ball back into the box for his Argentine teammate to finish.
Manchester United expectedly upped the ante after going behind and produced attack after attack for much of the first half. But they could not get an equalizer, with Juan Mata coming closest when his effort struck the post.
The second half did not bring much more luck for Manchester United as they kept on probing to get a goal. However, resolute defending from the visitors, coupled with sloppiness in attack from the Red Devils, saw West Ham advance to the next stage of the cup competition.
Here, we look at five talking points from West Ham's 1-0 victory at Old Trafford:
#5 Another game, another poor start from Manchester United
Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United have formed a rather disappointing pattern of starting games on the back-foot more often than not. The match against West Ham was no different as Manchester United fell behind in the first 10 minutes.
The Hammers began the game with much more promise and immediately pegged back their hosts. They were rewarded for their trouble as Ryan Fredericks drove down the right before cutting the ball back for Manuel Lanzini to slot home. The goal epitomized a trait Solskjaer's Reds portrayed time after time last season, which was to concede first and then chasing the game for its remainder.
Many believe Manchester United finally have a squad good enough to compete for titles. The Old Trafford outfit will however need to fix their habit of beginning games sluggishly if they want to go far.
#4 David Moyes banishes his Old Trafford demons
David Moyes famously received the mantle from Sir Alex Ferguson after the latter's retirement back in 2013. Moyes would however go on to receive just one season in charge at Manchester United after overseeing a shambolic title defense.
The Scottish manager has since taken jobs at Real Sociedad and Sunderland and is in his second spell in charge at West Ham. David Moyes, however, had never managed to beat Manchester United ever since he left the club.
In eight different attempts after his exit, Moyes has lost six games to the Red Devils. He finally ended that run on Wednesday night, however, with a victory. The fact that it came at Old Trafford would undoubtedly make the win taste a little sweeter.
#3 Donny van de Beek stakes his claim
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.
#2 West Ham's rise continues at pace
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.
#1 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may be running out of time at Manchester United
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.
