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#3 Moyes making his mark at West Ham
Having helped the side stave off the threat of relegation last season, David Moyes was rewarded with a long-term contract at West Ham ahead of the current season. The decision that seems to be paying off for the Hammers.
Evidence of the work that has gone into the West Ham side by the Scotsman, his staff, and his players has been clearly evident in their fine start this season. The Irons went into this fixture in sixth place, one point off the top four and on the back of a three-game winning streak.
One of the most notable changes Moyes has made to the squad has been the switch to a 3-5-2. The system that seems to have revitalised the West Ham careers of certain players while bringing the best out of others.
Fabian Balbuena, who seemed set to leave the club at the end of last season, has found a new lease of life in the back three alongside erstwhile left-back and now centre-back Aaron Cresswell, who marshals the left side of the back three.
On the flanks, left wing-back Arthur Masuaku is another player to have been reborn under Moyes, with summer signing Vladimir Coufal also having settled in very well on the opposite side.
Further upfield, West Ham rely heavily on the pace of Michail Antonio, the trickery of Jarrod Bowen, and the industry of Pablo Fornals. The physicality of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek keeps them ticking over nicely in midfield.
All of Moyes’ tactical tweaks were highlighted in this fixture against his former employers. His current side allowed the opposition to retain the majority of possession without much effect as they pressed hungrily high up the field.
The Hammers also switched seamlessly between dropping into a back five when out of possession and straight back into a 3-5-2 after winning back the ball, giving the United defence plenty of headaches.
Unfortunately for the home side, the second-half introduction of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford seemed to throw their team shape out of whack as they conceded thrice to end up on the losing side.
However, Moyes’ side can take several positives from their performance in this game, which, if replicated in upcoming fixtures, is sure to stand them in good stead throughout the rest of the season.
#4 The Pogba problem continues to perplex Manchester United
If there was a performance that could sum up Paul Pogba’s Manchester United career, this was surely it.
The World Cup-winning midfielder has delighted and exasperated fans and pundits in equal measure, punctuating some moments of magic with frustratingly poor displays.
With Bruno Fernandes on the bench against West Ham, the onus fell on Pogba to link the play between attack and defence. He was unable to accomplish this task in a largely anonymous first half display.
However, even as some were suggesting that he was lucky to come back out for the second half, Pogba lit up the London Stadium by bringing United back on level terms with a fantastic long-range strike that gave Lukasz Fabianski no chance in the West Ham goal.
The second-half introduction of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford revitalised Pogba. The Frenchman seemed to transform into the player that United thought they had signed once the Portuguese playmaker arrived to share some of the creative responsibilities.
As such, United fans would be hoping for Solskjaer to find a way to play Pogba and Fernandes in the same side going forward if it were to result in the Frenchman rediscovering his best form.
#5 Manchester United remain perfect away from home this season
Manchester United have built much of their storied Premier League history on a solid base of displays at their famous home ground, with Old Trafford being the site of some famous triumphs.
However, this season tells a completely different tale. The Red Devils have been extremely vulnerable at home but have secured five wins from five games on the road.
Remarkably, United have done it the hard way each time away from home. They've come from behind to claim three points in all five of their away fixtures this season, and have the most points accrued from losing positions in the league this season.
In fact, the Red Devils have now collected more points in games that they have trailed in than any other side in Premier League history, with this latest comeback taking their tally up to 385.
This win against West Ham marks their ninth consecutive away win in the Premier League. This is their longest such stretch in league history and it is also the first time they have won five straight on the road since the 1985-86 season.
On current form, the United faithful would be pleased to note that their crucial upcoming Champions League tie against RB Leipzig is to be played in Germany.
