Manchester United Rescue Draw as West Ham Stunned Late On | OneFootball

West Ham Denied Late as Manchester United Salvage Dramatic Point

Sesko Strikes Deep Into Stoppage Time

Manchester United rescued a point in dramatic fashion at the London Stadium, Benjamin Sesko’s 96th minute goal denying West Ham a victory that had felt both precious and deserved.

For long periods, this was a night shaped by tension and necessity. West Ham, fighting to pull clear of relegation trouble, played with urgency. Manchester United, under caretaker head coach Michael Carrick, played with the weight of expectation that had built during his unbeaten start.

Carrick had overseen four consecutive wins, a sequence that had eluded his predecessor Ruben Amorim, yet that run appeared set to end in east London. Tomas Soucek’s second half strike gave West Ham control and exposed the lack of fluency in United’s display.

Then, with seconds remaining, the narrative shifted. Introduced late as Carrick searched for solutions, Sesko produced a sharp, high finish beyond Mads Hermansen to secure a 1-1 draw and preserve his manager’s unbeaten record.

Carrick’s Tactical Gamble Pays Off

Michael Carrick used one of his old boss’ tricks to snatch a point.

It was a familiar trait of Sir Alex Ferguson to gamble near the end of matches.

He felt it placed doubt in the minds of opposition defenders and the reward was worth the risk of conceding at the other end.

At the London Stadium, with his side staring defeat in the face, Carrick gambled.

Off came full-back Diogo Dalot, on went Joshua Zirkzee, to play as a number 10. Ruben Amorim’s preferred three at the back returned, so skipper Bruno Fernandes could have a free role.

Carrick knew his side might concede again, but he was not trying limit damage, so it didn’t matter.

Three chances came West Ham’s way. They wasted them all.

Zirkzee came close to an equaliser with a flicked header but it sailed narrowly wide.

United were not done though. They kept pushing and in the sixth minute of added time, Carrick’s gamble paid off thanks to Sesko sweeping home Bryan Mbeumo’s cross.

Soucek Goal Reflects West Ham Progress

West Ham’s performance carried substance, particularly after the interval. Five minutes into the second half, Soucek capitalised on defensive hesitation, escaping Kobbie Mainoo after Luke Shaw failed to win a challenge, steering home at the near post.

It was a goal that reflected West Ham’s growing cohesion under Nuno Espirito Santo. Jarrod Bowen’s delivery, Soucek’s timing, the collective belief, all spoke of a side improving at a crucial stage of the season.

Crysencio Summerville remained a persistent outlet, driving transitions and stretching United’s defensive shape. West Ham combined discipline with counter attacking threat, restricting clear opportunities while creating enough to finish the contest.

Relegation Fight Intensifies After Late Blow

For West Ham, the closing seconds were cruel. Soucek’s strike had positioned them to claim a fourth win in five league matches, momentum that would have tightened the pressure on fellow strugglers.

Instead, they were left with a point that felt insufficient.

Manchester United, meanwhile, extended Carrick’s unbeaten start to five matches, four wins and a draw, maintaining their push near the Premier League’s upper reaches despite a performance short of their recent standards.

There was admiration for West Ham’s organisation and regret at their inability to secure the result. There was relief for Manchester United, gratitude for Sesko’s intervention, and recognition that decisive moments continue to shape Carrick’s early tenure.