Manchester United vs. West Ham: Winners and Losers from Premier League Game
Manchester United survived a nerve-racking final 31 minutes to defeat West Ham United, 2-1, at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils jumped out to a two-goal lead in the first 22 minutes by way of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, but they were on edge after Rooney was sent off in the 59th minute.
Diafra Sakho pulled one back for the visitors and although many thought an equalizer would come for the Hammers, given the defensive collapse United had last week, Louis van Gaal's side held on to earn their second win of the season.
Continue reading on for a look at the biggest winners and losers from United's home victory.
Winner/Loser: Wayne Rooney
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Wayne Rooney's day began with a beautiful strike that beat Adrian in the fifth minute and it ended with a high boot on Stewart Downing.
Rooney connected perfectly with a cross from Rafael, who made a rampaging run down the right wing, to open the scoring, but that was put to waste after his idiotic challenge.
With frustration brewing high in the 59th minute, Rooney put his boot high into the body of Downing to earn the second straight red of his Premier League career, per ESPN's Paul Carr.
Rooney will now miss games against Everton, West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea thanks to his sending off.
Loser: Alex Song
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Before Rooney was being lambasted for his nonsensical challenge, Alex Song caught the brunt of the criticism for his troubling tackles.
Within the first three minutes of the match, Song was in referee Mike Dean's book for two careless challenges on Angel Di Maria.
While there probably was some type of Barcelona versus Real Madrid angst pent up between Song and Di Maria, there is no excuse for Song to make those plays that early in a match.
Winner: Diafra Sakho
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A week after scoring in the victory over Liverpool, Diafra Sakho found the back of the net against another legendary club.
In the 37th minute, Sakho was left open in the middle of the box off a corner to nod home the only West Ham goal.
The goal marked the third consecutive game in which the 24-year-old earned his spot on the scoresheet for the Hammers.
Loser: David De Gea
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David De Gea didn't have to do much in the United goal Saturday, but when he was called upon in the build up the West Ham goal, he was nowhere to be seen.
The Spaniard left his line and waved at the corner kick sent in from the right side of the pitch.
After De Gea departed the scene, the ball eventually found the head of Sakho, who proceeded to punish the United goalkeeper for his mistake.
Winner: Patrick McNair
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Before the day began, no one had a clue who Patrick McNair was.
After the final whistle blew, McNair was lauded with praise for his performance at center-back for the Red Devils.
His biggest involvement came in the 83rd minute, when he dove toward the goal and nodded the ball away from danger.
Throughout the entire match, McNair didn't look one bit nervous and held his ground well, which is exactly what Louis van Gaal was looking for.
Winner: Robin Van Persie
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Robin van Persie coolly converted on his 22nd-minute strike, which was set up by a pass from Falcao.
The goal was his second of the season and 40th of the Dutchman's United league career, which makes him the second foreign player to score over 40 league goals for two different Premier League teams, per Opta.
The importance of Van Persie's play will grow in the coming weeks because of the three-game suspension Rooney faces following his sending off.
Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.
