Bruno Fernandes bent a 25-yard free kick around the wall and into the bottom corner, then threaded the perfect pass for Rasmus Højlund’s winner as Manchester United survived a late West Ham surge to claim a 2-1 victory at London Stadium on Sunday.
The Portuguese captain’s masterclass extended United’s unbeaten Premier League run to four matches and lifted them to seventh in the table—just three points off European qualification with momentum finally building under Erik ten Hag.
His 23rd-minute free kick was pure class. Dead ball specialist at his finest, curling the strike with just enough pace to beat Łukasz Fabiański despite the keeper getting a hand to it.
“That’s why he’s our captain,” ten Hag said afterward. “Bruno has that ability to change games in moments. The free kick was world-class, but his pass for the second goal showed his vision.”
Young Dane Finally Finding His Feet
Højlund’s 67th-minute finish—a calm side-foot after Fernandes split West Ham’s defense with a threaded pass—marked his fourth goal in six Premier League appearances. The £72 million summer signing from Atalanta looked every bit the striker United thought they were buying.
The 21-year-old’s movement caused problems all afternoon. He dropped deep to link play, spun in behind when space opened, and won aerial duels against Konstantinos Mavropanos and Kurt Zouma. Eight goals in 22 appearances isn’t spectacular, but the trajectory is promising.
“I’m feeling more comfortable every game,” Højlund said. “Bruno made it easy for me—perfect weight on the pass.”
Hammers Left to Wonder What If
David Moyes watched his side create enough clear chances to earn at least a point, but West Ham couldn’t find their finishing boots when it mattered. Fourteen shots to United’s eleven told the story—lots of huffing and puffing, not enough end product.
Michail Antonio blazed over from six yards in the first half after Jarrod Bowen’s excellent work down the right. Seven matches without a Premier League goal for the Jamaica international, whose confidence looks shot.
Bowen’s thunderous 78th-minute strike from the edge of the box—after a corner was cleared to him—gave the home crowd hope. But it was too little, too late.
“We played well enough to get something,” Moyes reflected. “But against teams like United, you have to be clinical. We weren’t.”
Onana Comes Up Big Again
André Onana made the saves that mattered. His spectacular diving stop to deny Lucas Paquetá’s curling effort in the 55th minute kept United’s lead intact at a crucial moment.
The Cameroon keeper has quietly been building confidence—four clean sheets in his last seven league appearances after a rocky start to life at Old Trafford.
Harry Maguire and Raphaël Varane looked solid as a partnership for the third straight match, giving ten Hag the defensive stability he’s craved all season.
This win keeps United’s European dreams alive. They sit three points behind Brighton with games in hand and visit Newport County in the FA Cup on Wednesday before hosting Fulham next Sunday. The momentum is there—now they need to maintain it.
