There have been different fan takes on the West Ham result. Some believe (once again) the blame should be on the manager, while others believe that United didn't take the competition seriously. This loss has sparked yet another Jose Mourinho debate on social media. If you still harbor thoughts about Mourinho, here's a piece of advice - please, it's been almost three years, get over it.
The truth of the matter is, while the result was disappointing, the performance was less so. United are not new to going a goal down in a match and making a comeback. They did it against this very team just last Sunday away from home. Well, not this very team as both sides used a rotated eleven in the cup tie. United’s team on the night definitely had the quality to win but good individual quality and performance was lacking. The response from the Red Devils wasn't bad after conceding but going a goal down and having to climb that hill will eventually cost you.
United had more shots and slightly more possession in this game than they did last Sunday to no avail. It was a missed opportunity by the players who didn't take their chances as it was presented to them. They also got knocked out of a competition which could've presented them a good chance at winning their first title in four years and an avenue to rotate players. At the end of the day, it's just the Energy Drink Cup, right?
Now it's time to bounce back, again.
United welcome Aston Villa to the Theater of dreams in the early kickoff on Saturday morning and will be looking to do just that. It's been a good start to the League season, one which they're yet to lose in and they will need a win, preferably a convincing one, to lift the mood in the fanbase. Judging the games we have already seen this season, a convincing win might not be likely.
They play against an Aston Villa team who showed just how scary they can be when they thrashed Everton 3-0 last weekend with new signing Leon Bailey coming off the bench and showing out. He was involved in the second and scored a brilliant third while being a menace throughout his substitute appearance. At least one new Bundesliga winger didn't need time to make an impact.
United will expect their main characters to be involved in the coming fixture. Seven of the starting eleven that played against West Ham last Sunday(like Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba) were not even in the matchday squad while only two of them came on as substitutes in the second half. Quality-wise, we should be watching a different United team come Saturday afternoon.
Zooming out of Saturday's match and looking at United’s next run of fixtures in October and November makes me wonder how many times I would have to think of a clever alternative to the words “bounce back” when writing about another negative United performance and result.
It's only been seven games into the season and the next match against Aston Villa already has a “make or break” feel to it. Anything other than a win will be seen as a negative result and the optimism, the energy and the hope that was felt for the first time in well over five years will slowly if not surely dissipate.
Momentum will be key going into October and November and players coming into full fitness will help the bolster the team’s offensive options and be decisive in close games during that run.
Zooming back in and United should have enough individual offensive quality to score the goals and the defensive prowess to keep this dangerous Villa side at bay though they are yet to keep a clean sheet this season.
One win in four matches in all competitions won't be a good way to end the month and the situation may become even bleaker come December. A bad run could even lead to a managerial casualty as a worst-case scenario. The pressure is on United, now more than ever.