Talking points: Manchester United 1 West Ham 0

The Reds created several good chances in the first half, including a Rashford header that went wide and a Mason Greenwood shot that was pushed on to the post by a brilliant Lukasz Fabianski save, but we were destined to go in at the break level.

In the second period, Craig Dawson headed a Bruno Fernandes corner into his own net, with that goal proving to be the decisive action that would separate the two teams.

Below are all the key discussion points from our win over the Hammers…

DOING THE DOUBLE

The triumph over the Hammers means we’ve recorded a league double against the East London outfit for the first time since the 2013/14 campaign when, incidentally, David Moyes was our manager. Add to those results our Emirates FA Cup fifth-round win last month and we’ve won all three meetings with West Ham this season.

UNLUCKY FOR SOME

Our unbeaten run has now increased to 13 games in all competitions - we've won six of those and drawn seven. Meanwhile, in our past 23 Premier League outings, we have lost just once while winning 14 and drawing eight.

DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE

We have now kept a clean sheet in each of our last four matches in the Premier League, against Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Manchester City and West Ham. That’s the first time we’ve put together such a run under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The last time we matched that feat was in January 2018 under José Mourinho.

BLUNT IRONS

West Ham hadn’t been allowed a single shot on goal by the time the Reds took the lead in the 53rd minute. The Hammers therefore became the first side since Swansea City in March 2018 to fail to have a shot in the first half of a Premier League game against United.

WOODWORK DENIED GREENWOOD

Mason Greenwood had two shots hit the post instead of the back of the net. Fabianski got his fingertips to a low effort that looked certain to be a goal in the first half, diverting the ball against the upright. In the second period, having broken away, the teenager unleashed another promising effort but again luck wasn’t in his favour as the woodwork was struck again. 

HENDERSON’S HOME LEAGUE DEBUT

Reds goalkeeper Dean Henderson may have already made five league starts before tonight, against Manchester City, Crystal Palace, Everton, Sheffield United and the Hammers earlier in the season, but this was his first appearance for the club at home in the Premier League. David De Gea was again missing from the matchday squad, due to a period of isolation after returning to the UK from Spain where his baby daughter was born recently. Two shot-stoppers were on the bench in Nathan Bishop and Lee Grant.

REF SWAP

Chris Kavanagh was originally named as the referee in charge of our match with West Ham but was replaced, with fourth official Martin Atkinson taking up the whistle duties instead. It’s understood Kavanagh is currently self-isolating. Craig Pawson was drafted in as the extra assistant.

NO SUBS NEEDED

Solskjaer kept the same players on the pitch throughout the 90 minutes, making this our first Premier League game without a United substitution since 11 February 2012 - when Sir Alex Ferguson's 11 starters lasted the match as Liverpool were beaten 2-1 at Old Trafford.

OUR NEXT CHALLENGE?

Attention for the week ahead now turns away from the Premier League to two hugely important cup ties. First up is the second leg of our last-16 Europa League bout with AC Milan on Thursday, when we'll need to score at the San Siro after drawing 1-1 at Old Trafford. Then next Sunday sees a trip to the East Midlands where victory over Leicester City would take us into the Emirates FA Cup semi-finals.