The ideal beginning by Manchester United under the care of interim manager Michael Carrick was derailed with a tense 1-1 draw at West Ham on February 9, 2026. When Tomas Soucek tapped in his 50th minute, the Hammers had hope in their relegation race and it was weak defending on the part of Luke Shaw. Avolley by super-sub Benjamin Sesko at the 96th-minute, which came off a cross by Bryan Mbeumo, rescued a point and made it impossible to put Nuno Espirito Santo’s side ahead of Nottingham Forest.
Playing at his boyhood club, Carrick lost his four-match winning streak and still left United undefeated in nine league matches, in fourth place. The small organisation of West Ham neutralised the attack of United, and with its delivery by Jarrod Bowen, the lapses in defence were revealed. Carrick complimented the unbelievable finish by Sesko at the end of the match and explained that his team had not been creative enough to duel a strong Hammers defence.
Goalkeeper Breakdown and Defence Breakdown.
Senne Lammens – 6/10
Tore off a world-class stop to rip open the curler of Crysencio Summerville towards the right corner. Not to blame the goal of Soucek but would have closed the angle faster on the first break.
Diogo Dalot – 5/10
Fought miserably with the pace of Summerville, misplaced a back-pass which caused Lammens a spot of trouble. Gave little to come in a hopeless show.
Harry Maguire – 6/10
Bang, bang, bang on Bowen at the start, and then anchoring in the backline until Leny Yoro hooked him. Read his physicality, Michail Antonio.
Lisandro Martinez – 5/10
Swapped some good diagonals to change the direction but threw off Soucek running and allowed the Czech to go ghost. Positioning woes cost dearly.
Luke Shaw – 4/10
A rare bright light was when his shot was cleared off the line by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and tragedy befell Soucek on the opening. Lost the cross of Jarrod Bowen, indecisive, and allowed the West Ham to swarm–a humiliation avoided by Sesko only in the nick of time.
Midfield Battle
Kobbie Mainoo – 6/10
Good performance with neat passing that gave West Ham their deep block a test. Better outlet to unlock and ball-watched on the equaliser of Soucek, requiring keener tracking.
Casemiro – 7/10
Dominated the end of a field of flat midfield and bossed duels, almost scoring himself, his header disallowed by VAR offside against the razor-thin line at 63. United’s engine room rocks.
Bruno Fernandes – 6/10
Captain class moments in cramped areas but West Ham burst his magic. A couple of half-chances made, but no murder weapon to the wall of Nuno.
Attack Struggles
Heusunha – 5/10
Still sunk lower than desired, drained his menace. The lack of good decisions resulted in his leaving in the 69 th minute to Sesko; the lack of link-up play.
Bryan Mbeumo – 5/10
Inaccurate shots and sloppy touches hardly challenged the back line of West Ham. Volley bought with the killer low cross by Sesko–in time clutch.
Amad Diallo – 4/10
Unhappy night by El Hadji Malick Diouf and then Wan-Bissaka. Inaccurate decisions, time in possession twice–wasted ability.
Subs & Tactics
Leny Yoro (8/10):
The killer after Maguire. Two goal-saving slides and pressing ball movement shifted the balance.
Benjamin Sesko (8/10):
Heroics again– £74m worth the penny. At 96′, Flicked Mbeumo headed into the top bins in his second injury-time stunner in three cameos. Saved Shaw’s nightmare.
Joshua Zirkzee (N/A): That was a close but no cigar: Glanced header inches wide.
Michael Carrick – 6/10
Tactically outwitted by Nuno at the beginning, slow to adapt to West Ham’s low block. Subs brought life, and even though it avoided a loss right after entering the scene, it caused full-time suspicions, as Gary Neville did. Unbeaten running lives, winning streak cut.
Draw leaves the hopes of United in the Champions League but sheds light on weaknesses. West Ham regrets that Soucek didn’t score a finish that would ensure survival. The bailout papers conceal the cracks in the Sesko-Carrick audition.
