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Man United’s electric start under interim boss Michael Carrick nearly came to a screeching halt, but Benjamin Sesko played hero off the bench again as his 94th-minute equaliser salvaged a 1-1 draw with West Ham on Tuesday in midweek Premier League action.
While the five-match winning streak under the new manager came to an end, Carrick preserved his unbeaten record with the last-gasp goal, Sesko’s second late strike in three matches after winning it late against Fulham in stoppage time.
The opening 45 minutes of this match were utterly forgettable on all fronts, as neither side had any interest in attacking the opponent, combining for just five total shots of little note.
VIDEO: Watch West Ham vs. Man United highlights in UK
Then, shortly after the second-half restart, the Hammers produced one dangerous counter-attack and profited, as Tomas Soucek finished off a wonderful run and cross from Jarrod Bowen.
That was it for the Hammers, who went back into their shell and saw out the match. For the rest of the way, it felt as if Bruno Fernandes, who has been white hot through the recent winning streak, was powerless to help United claw back level.
Yet West Ham could not finish off the victory, as Sesko came off the bench to put the ball in the back of the net in the six of the seven added minutes, flicking a brilliant finish inside the near post from Bryan Mbeumo’s curling cross.
The draw slightly strengthens United’s Premier League standing, still sitting in fourth and a point ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea. Liverpool are six points behind United in sixth and can cut the gap when they travel to Sunderland.
For West Ham, they would have gone level on points with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, but instead remain two back with Forest yet to contest their midweek match against bottom club Wolves.
The Sporting News followed the West Ham vs. Man United match live, providing score updates, commentary, and analysis.
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West Ham vs. Man United final score
| Score | Goal scorers | |
| West Ham | 1 | Soucek (50′) |
| Man United | 1 | Sesko (90+6′) |
Location: London Stadium (London, England)
Referee: Simon Hooper
Keep track of every game and every goal via SN’s live Premier League scoreboard.
Starting lineups:
West Ham (4-4-1-1, right to left): 1. Hermansen (GK) — 29. Wan-Bissaka, 4. Disasi, 15. Mavropanos, 12. Diouf (Scarles, 79′) — 20. Bowen (Walker-Peters, 90′), 28. Soucek, 32. Potts (Magassa, 79′), 7. Summerville (Traore, 90′) — 18. M. Fernandes — 11. Castellanos (Wilson, 69′).
Man United (4-2-3-1, right to left): 31. Lammens (GK) — 2. Dalot (Zirkzee, 82′), 5. Maguire (Yoro, 68′), 6. L. Martinez, 23. Shaw — 18. Casemiro, 37. Mainoo — 16. Diallo, 8. B. Fernandes, 10. Cunha (Sesko, 68′) — 19. Mbeumo.
West Ham vs. Man United stats
| West Ham | Stat | Man United |
| 7 | Shots | 9 |
| 3 | Shots on target | 3 |
| 1.08 | Expected goals | 0.62 |
| 35% | Possession | 65% |
| 260 | Accurate passes | 542 |
| 5 | Corners | 3 |
| 10 | Fouls | 4 |
| 1 | Yellow cards | 1 |
West Ham vs. Man United talking points, analysis
Man United still have deficiencies even amidst improvement
Manchester United may be remarkably improved under Michael Carrick, but it is clear there are still massive holes. Bruno Fernandes was battered today, and when he is beaten to a pulp and marked out of the game, United have very few other options in terms of creativity.
While the Portugal star created four chances as he continues to run away with the Premier League lead in that category, those chances were worth just 0.26 xA, meaning they were not quality opportunities.
It didn’t help that United came into this game looking to ride out the first 45 minutes, a strategy that West Ham were more than happy to oblige. It was a lack of attacking intent to recall the Ruben Amorim days, and one that United fans will hope does not become a more consistent reality.
West Ham will live to rue the two points lost
In a relegation battle, opportunities like this simply cannot be thrown away.
West Ham could have put huge pressure on Nottingham Forest with a win, drawing level with the 17th-placed side on points with Forest still to play tomorrow, but instead they remain two points back. Even with three wins in their past four coming into today’s match, they are staring at a deficit.
Sure, the Hammers have improved over the past few games, but for teams at the bottom of the table, runs like this don’t last for long, and their failure to capitalise on a listless opponent playing into their hands could come back to bite them in a big way.
Benjamin Sesko is a raw talent but his finishing is world class
It’s clear that Benjamin Sesko has a long way to go to be a regular, 90-minute option for Manchester United up top. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have developed a strong connection, and their experience is why they are the better choice at the moment.
Yet when it comes to pure finishing, Sesko is a top-tier talent, and today’s goal proves it. It appeared that Sesko was boxed out in his position when he received the ball from Mbeumo at the near post with his back to the penalty spot, but he knew exactly what he was planning to do, and executed a genius finish with aplomb.
United have themselves a talent with all the skills you want to see in a 22-year-old striker, and if he can keep developing his peripheral abilities, he can be a Premier League star.
West Ham vs. Man United key moments
90+6 min: GOAL! MAN UNITED! BENJAMIN SESKO HAS DONE IT AGAIN! After his stoppage-time winner against Fulham, he scores the equaliser here today!
Bryan Mbeumo finds the substitute at the near post with a looped ball, and Sesko manages to produce a truly STUNNING flicked finish out of the bag of tricks, poking it into the back of the net! West Ham’s hearts are broken!
HIGHLIGHT: Watch Man United goal in UK
90+4 min: Chance, Man United! JOSHUA ZIRKZEE MISSES BY INCHES! The Man United substitute wins an aerial duel at the top of the six-yard box from a central position, looking to redirect the ball inside the far post, but it bounces just wide! That was the moment!
68th min: Harry Maguire seems to be struggling with a hamstring injury he suffered earlier in the first half, and will be replaced by Lenny Yoro. Matheus Cunha is also hauled off and replaced by Benjamin Sesko.
63rd min: Chance, Man United! CASEMIRO BAGS THE EQUALISER FOR MAN UNITED! He races in on goal and meets the ball from Kobbie Mainoo on the right, heading it home!!
BUT NO! He’s offside! The goal was initially given, but the VAR Craig Pawson confirms that the Brazilian was leaning over the line! Casemiro’s muted celebration betrayed his fear that this would be wiped away!
50th min: GOAL! WEST HAM! TOMAS SOUCEK SCORES WHAT COULD BE A MASSIVE GOAL IN THE RELEGATION BATTLE!!!
West Ham counter with a long-ball down the middle, and it’s held up to Jarrod Bowen who carries it forward. He brings the ball out wide right before delivering a bobbling cross to the face of goal where Soucek bundles it home!
HIGHLIGHT: Watch West Ham goal in UK
HALFTIME — West Ham 0-0 Man United
Those 45 minutes were right up there for the worst half of football of any match this entire Premier League season. A combined 5 total shots worth 0.28 xG between them so far.
Two organised sides with zero intent of attacking the opposition. Zero goal mouth action. Horrible.
13th min: Chance, West Ham! SENNE LAMMENS MAKES A HUGE FULL-STRETCH SAVE! He keeps out a curling shot from Crysencio Summerville which was destined to tuck inside the far post!
Kickoff: They’re under way at the Olympic Stadium in London in the pouring rain! Both teams have every reason to go for all three points here, will that make for an exciting 90 minutes? Let’s hope so!
1 hour to kickoff: Lineups are in! There are no surprises whatsoever, as both XI’s are exactly as predicted.
2 hours to kickoff: Michael Carrick has rejuvenated Manchester United seemingly in an instant. His first task after being hired as interim boss was to put Bruno Fernandes back in a starring role on the pitch.
The move has worked wonders, as Carrick has suggested — not without merit — that Fernandes is playing like the MVP of the league right now. “Yeah, quite possibly,” the United manager pondered when asked if that were the case.
Since returning from injury, Fernandes has delivered a goal and five assists in five Premier League matches. The Portugal star now has 74 chances created this season in league play, twenty-seven more than anyone else, an astonishing total compared to the rest of the league.
Most chances created in the Premier League this season:
74 — Bruno Fernandes 🥇
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47 — Declan… pic.twitter.com/XO8rnUgrdG— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 9, 2026
West Ham vs. Man United reaction
Michael Carrick post match reaction
“We were OK,” Carrick said of United’s performance. “I think we were a little disappointed and we were definitely not at our best. It’s times like that when you find a way and move on. I’m a little frustrated at that. It is a tough place to come and we didn’t have that sharpness to find the answers. Great spirit again and we will take the point and move on.”
“It was a tough game, we expected that, really. I don’t think we were at our best in terms of sharpness and attacking side of the game. So sometimes you have to make the most of what the night throws at you. … Credit to the boys for coming back again, it is a great trait to have in the team. There are positives to take from it, you can’t win every game, we certainly didn’t want to come away from here without a point.”
Carrick called Benjamin Sesko’s goal a “fantastic finish. He has done it again. It is important. It is a great finish. Delighted for him. Another big goal and a good step.”
West Ham vs. Man United team news
West Ham team news
- Defender Jean-Clair Todibo is serving the second match of a three-game ban after his clash with Joao Pedro during the defeat to Chelsea.
- Experienced goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski remains a long-term absentee with a back problem.
Man United team news
MORE: An in-depth rundown of all the latest Man United team news and injuries
- Mason Mount picked up a muscle injury that kept him out of matches against Fulham and Tottenham, and he’s expected to miss one more game before potentially returning against Everton next time out.
- Matthijs de Ligt has been missing since November with a back issue, but could return soon. This game is likely too soon, but a late February return could be on the cards.
- Patrick Dorgu had been in good form this season, but a hamstring injury suffered in late January will keep him sidelined up to 10 weeks.
West Ham vs. Man United upcoming schedules
West Ham upcoming fixtures
| Date | Competition | Match | Location |
| Sat, Feb. 14 | FA Cup (4th round) | Burton Albion vs. West Ham | Pirelli Stadium (Burton, England) |
| Sat, Feb. 21 | Premier League | West Ham vs. Bournemouth | London Stadium (London, England) |
| Sat, Feb. 28 | Premier League | Liverpool vs. West Ham | Anfield Stadium (Liverpool, England) |
Man United upcoming fixtures
| Date | Competition | Match | Location |
| Mon, Feb. 23 | Premier League | Everton vs. Man United | Hill Dickinson Stadium (Liverpool, England) |
| Sun, Mar. 1 | Premier League | Man United vs. Crystal Palace | Old Trafford (Manchester, England) |
| Wed, Mar. 4 | Premier League | Newcastle vs. Man United | St. James’ Park (Newcastle, England) |