West Ham United delivered a memorable pre-Christmas performance as they overcame Manchester United 2–0 at the London Stadium on 23 December 2023. With energy, discipline and moments of real quality, David Moyes’ side outplayed their visitors and claimed a deserved three points.

As always, if you have any thoughts on Manchester United this season or in this specific game, get in touch with us by leaving a comment, following us on Twitter/X (@NextGoalWinBlog) or Instagram (@NextGoalWin).

Teams

West Ham United: Areola, Emerson, Zouma, Mavropanos, Coufal, Alvarez, Soucek, Paqueta, Ward-Prowse, Kudus (Johnson 90′), Bowen (Fornals 88′)

Subs: Fabianski, Cresswell, Ogbonna, Kehrer, Ings, Mubama, Benrahma

Manchester United: Onana, Shaw, Evans, Kambwala (Reguilon 84′), Wan-Bissaka, McTominay, Mainoo, Garnacho (Eriksen 85′), Fernandes, Antony (Pellistri 73′), Hojlund (Rashford 57′)

Subs: Bayindir, Bennett, Van de Beek, Mejbri, Amrabat

West Ham United 2-0 Manchester United

West Ham United signed off the final home game before Christmas with a confident 2–0 win over Manchester United at the London Stadium, delighting the claret-and-blue faithful on 23 December 2023. David Moyes’ side were energetic from the off, pressing with intent and showing far greater cohesion than their visitors, who struggled to impose themselves in a flat first half. Chances were at a premium early on, but West Ham always looked the more purposeful going forward.

The breakthrough arrived just after the interval and it was no surprise who provided it. Mohammed Kudus was at the heart of everything creative, and his low ball across the box caused enough chaos for Lucas Paquetá to tee up Jarrod Bowen, who finished calmly to give the hosts the lead. Manchester United attempted to respond, but their play lacked conviction and fluency, with West Ham’s midfield doing an excellent job of breaking up attacks and protecting the back line.

Any lingering doubt was removed late on when West Ham struck again. A slick counter-attack saw Kudus burst forward and rifle a powerful shot beyond André Onana to make it 2–0, capping an outstanding individual display. The final whistle confirmed a deserved victory for Moyes’ men, who outworked and outthought their opponents on the day, while Erik ten Hag’s United were left searching for answers after another frustrating afternoon.

Talking Points

One of the standout talking points was the influence of Mohammed Kudus, who produced a performance full of pace, power and purpose. The Ghanaian was central to almost everything West Ham did well in attack, driving forward relentlessly and unsettling Manchester United’s defence throughout. His involvement in the opening goal set the tone, and he deservedly got on the scoresheet late on to seal the win, underlining why he has quickly become one of the London Stadium’s most exciting players.

Another major discussion point was Manchester United’s continued lack of cutting edge. Despite seeing plenty of the ball, Erik ten Hag’s side rarely looked threatening and struggled to create clear chances. The midfield was second best in key moments, while the attack lacked cohesion and confidence, leading to a frustrating afternoon for travelling supporters. It was a performance that raised familiar questions about consistency and identity, especially against well-drilled opposition.

Finally, David Moyes’ tactical approach against his former club drew plenty of praise. West Ham were compact, disciplined and intelligent without the ball, but decisive when opportunities arose. The balance between defensive solidity and quick transitions worked perfectly, allowing the hosts to control large spells of the game. It was a reminder of how effective Moyes’ blueprint can be when executed well, and it earned West Ham a deserved victory on a memorable pre-Christmas afternoon.