Manchester United vs. West Ham: Winners and Losers from Premier League
Manchester United missed the chance to move into second place in the Premier League table after they were held to a 0-0 draw by West Ham United.
For a second successive home game, the Red Devils failed to find the net. And, just like after the stalemate against PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League, their fans greeted the final whistle with boos.
West Ham could well have won the game had they taken their opportunities in front of goal.
Victor Moses hit a shot straight at David De Gea in the first half, while Mauro Zarate failed to even trouble Manchester United's goalkeeper after Andy Carroll's cushioned volley had given him a clear sight of goal.
The visitors also hit the woodwork twice before the break, though they were forced to weather a late storm to secure a point on the road.
The best chance for the hosts fell to Anthony Martial, but he side-footed wide of the goal when Memphis Depay cut the ball back into his path.
Marouane Fellaini also saw a close-range attempt saved by Adrian in the visiting goal, meaning it was another frustrating outing for Louis van Gaal's side.
Bleacher Report looks back on the goalless draw with our winners and losers.
Winner: Winston Reid
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Every member of West Ham United's defence played a part in the clean sheet, but Winston Reid was their standout player at the back.
The New Zealander produced a superb block in the first half when Anthony Martial looked set to convert Marouane Fellaini's knockdown inside the area.
Reid also nearly broke the deadlock at the other end of the field, planting a header from a corner against a post, while he was involved in an incident at another set piece that could have seen Bastian Schweinsteiger sent off.
The Manchester United midfielder appeared to elbow Reid in the throat as the pair jostled prior to a free-kick being taken.
Loser: Anthony Martial
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Leading the line in the absence of the injured Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial was unable to mark his 20th birthday with a goal.
The Frenchman was brilliantly denied in the first half by West Ham United defender Winston Reid, though he failed to even hit the target with a glorious opportunity late in the game.
Picked out by Memphis Depay's pass from the left, the forward opened up his body in an attempt to hit a right-footed shot into the far corner.
Instead, though, his attempt ended up going the wrong side of the post.
Having hit the ground running with four goals in his first four games for Manchester United in September, Martial has only found the net once since.
Winner: West Ham's Away Form
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West Ham United do love playing away in the Premier League this season.
Having already won at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, they could—perhaps really should—have added Manchester United to their list of scalps.
Victor Moses—who was forced off before the break with an injury—and Mauro Zarate missed glorious chances to give them the lead, while the woodwork twice denied them in the first half.
Still, Slaven Bilic's side have now picked up 14 points from eight road fixtures in league action this season. Only Leicester City and Arsenal—the current top two in the table—have managed more on their travels.
Loser: Louis van Gaal
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Manager Louis van Gaal bemoaned bad finishing after the 0-0 draw. Manchester United's fans, meanwhile, just moaned at the final whistle.
Chants of "Attack! Attack! Attack!" were heard in the 70th minute, and the hosts did turn the screw in the closing stages.
However, the game finished in a scoreline that is becoming a worryingly familiar one for Manchester United fans. They couldn't even blame Wayne Rooney this time as he was sidelined by an ankle injury.
Journalist Oliver Kay of the Times did a bit of adding up in the press box, tweeting: "Just totted up #MUFC's 0-0 draws in a season and a bit under Van Gaal. Ten. That's a lot. But it feels like 48. Either way, it's so so dull."
Van Gaal told MUTV after the game: "I think that we played a very good match, it's only we have to score. You must score out of the kind of chances we created. You need to score, otherwise you cannot win, and it is very frustrating, also for the players because they want to score."
The Dutchman is absolutely right—you do need to score goals in football. He must work out a way to do just that before Tuesday's crucial UEFA Champions League trip to Wolfsburg.
Winner: Guillermo Varela
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The 45-minute performance of defender Guillermo Varela on debut was a straw for Manchester United supports to clutch at.
The Uruguayan did not look out of place down the right after replacing Paddy McNair at half-time.
In coming on, he became the 30th player to be handed a debut by Louis van Gaal, according to journalist and statistician Richard Jolly on Twitter.
Varela had never previously been involved in a matchday squad in the Premier League, let alone appeared in a game.
The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at Real Madrid Castilla, the Spanish side's second string, working under the guidance of their rather famous manager, Zinedine Zidane.
Loser: Mark Clattenburg
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Christmas is the season to hand out cards, but referee Mark Clattenburg didn't seem to want to get involved in the festive tradition.
The official could have sent not one, but two Manchester United players off in the first half. Instead, he didn't bother to even show a yellow card.
Marouane Fellaini made an impression on James Tomkins with a robust challenge on the West Ham United defender. All he received for the late hit, however, was a ticking off.
Bastian Schweinsteiger was certainly fortunate to not see red after the midfielder raised an arm in an attempt to escape the attentions of Winston Reid prior to a free-kick being taken.
The Hammers defender hit the floor after seemingly being hit in the throat, yet Clattenburg opted to only have a word with both players.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic told BBC Sport that he had not initially seen the incident. However, after viewing replays at half-time, he admitted it was a "clear red card."
