A quintet of West Ham players shone in the 1-1 draw at Manchester United that keeps hope of Premier League survival burning bright.
West Ham looked set for damaging back-to-back defeats when they found themselves 1-0 down to Man United at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
The Hammers were deservedly level at the break after a decent showing.
But Diogo Dalot gave Man United a 1-0 lead in the second half with a composed finish to a scrappy move.
The Hammers, on the whole, have been much more competitive and resilient under Nuno Espirito Santo.
But it was a rare moment West Ham did not truly compete on the edge of their own box and they paid the price as Dalot swept home.
Hammers earn fully deserved point at Man United
Going into the last 15 minutes, West Ham pushed to try and salvage something from the game, invited on by Man United’s lack of control in these situations.
And Nuno’s side came away from Old Trafford with a deserved point thanks to Soungoutou Magassa’s first Premier League goal.
It was a late – and delayed – change from Nuno which got West Ham back in the game.
The Hammers boss had midfield duo Mohamadou Kante and Andy Irving waiting for nearly five minutes to come on before telling them to sit back down at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese waited until West Ham had a corner until making the switch and Irving made an instant impact.
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
West Ham’s corners had been woeful all night with both Freddie Potts and Jarrod Bowen struggling to beat the first man much of the time.
Irving’s first touch was to take a corner and it was the best of the night, finding Bowen who glanced a header at goal, forcing a block on the line before the loose ball was coolly slotted home in Magassa.
The finish couldn’t have been any more in the corner if the young French midfielder had tried and he wheeled away to celebrate with the brilliant travelling West Ham fans.
Soungoutou Magassa arrives! How would you sum up the Frenchman’s performance at Old Trafford?
Soungoutou Magassa’s performance by numbers
One goalTwo shotsFour tacklesFive interceptions41 passes78 per cent pass accuracyFour free-kicks wonThree aerial duels won70 touches
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The Hammers faithful had brutally taunted Bruno Fernandes all night while also playing tribute to legend Billy Bonds after his sad passing.
Nuno delivered his verdict on West Ham’s draw and was delighted with his players for their performance and efforts.
But who stood out most and who struggled at Old Trafford.
Here’s our West Ham ratings vs Man United as a 10/10 ‘destroyer’ steals the show ahead of four 9/10 stars.
West Ham ratings vs Man United as ‘destroyer’ Magassa shines
Alphonse Areola, 9/10: Alphonse Areola is arguably West Ham’s best and most in-form player at the moment. He has been revitalised since Nuno, himself a Champions League winning goalkeeper as a player, arrived at West Ham. Areola made several excellent saves and punched a host of corners clear. He perhaps could have caught some but the safety first approach worked. There was nothing he could have done about the goal.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 9/10: Close to being a 10/10 display from Aaron Wan-Bissaka as he did himself and West Ham proud on his return to Old Trafford. Brilliant at both ends, making a series of excellent last ditch tackles to thwart his old team. Wan-Bissaka was lucky not to be sent off late on for a bad foul when already on a yellow card and that was the only thing stopping this being a 10/10 performance.
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Konstantinos Mavropanos, 8/10: Big Greek defender Konstantinos Mavropanos put in arguably one of his best displays which was not blighted by the usual error. He clearly has the confidence of the manager and he repaid it at Old Trafford. Aggressive, first to every header and pretty composed throughout, it was only his poor forward passes which stopped this from being a 9/10 display.
Jean-Clair Todibo, 9/10: Had West Ham kept a clean sheet, this would have been a 10/10 score for Jean-Clair Todibo. No player has improved more since Nuno’s arrival than the French defender. On his best run since arriving at the club, Todibo was an absolute rock, going about his business with laser focus right now. He is starting to show just why West Ham paid £35m for him and can be the difference-maker to the club staying up.
This seemed to be Jean-Clair Todibo’s best performance of the season. Has he been better than he was against Manchester United?
Best I’ve seen Todibo play
— Martin Mad Dog Allen (@MartinAllen1965) December 4, 2025
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El Hadji Malick Diouf, 7/10: Amad Diallo had El Hadji Malick Diouf on toast for most of the game. But the great thing about Diouf is he does not let that get him down and keeps playing with the same passion, desire and intensity throughout. He improved in the second half and showed a cool head not to dive in when already on a booking.
Freddie Potts, 8/10: West Ham’s own Potts put in yet another performance to be proud of. Full of hard work, industry, commitment and simple but quality passing, Potts made a crucial block to deny Man United a potential goal too. He has been key to the recent upturn.
Soungoutou Magassa, 10/10: Named man of the match and it is easy to see why. Described as a ‘destroyer’ by Gary Neville in commentary, Magassa was literally everywhere, winning the ball, making interceptions, blocks and starting attacks. His best game yet and he looks an absolute steal at £17m. All rounded off with his first goal to earn West Ham a valuable point.
Tomas Soucek, 6.5/10: Ever-reliable Soucek was played in a new position out wider to the right and it really didn’t suit his game. However he did, as always, give absolutely everything for the team and was still a nuisance to Man United, especially at set pieces. His selfless work off the ball often goes unnoticed. What he lacks on the ball as Lucas Paqueta’s replacement, he makes up for by being a true team player.
Mateus Fernandes, 7.5/10: Behind Areola, Mateus Fernandes has been West Ham’s best player of late. Full of running, tackles and forward passes, the Portuguese midfielder was key again. His lapse on the edge of the box cost West Ham the goal but other than that Fernandes was very good again.
Jarrod Bowen, 7.5/10: Captain Bowen looks exhausted after carrying the team on his back for the last two years. In an ideal world he would be given a rest but West Ham have zero options in attacking areas and too much at stake in every game. Bowen led by example with his effort levels despite not being as sharp on the ball as he usually is. His persistence paid off as he got the header at goal which ultimately enabled West Ham to take a point.
Callum Wilson, 7/10: It is a tough ask for Callum Wilson playing up front in this West Ham team. He is a striker who relies on service and the Hammers don’t give him enough. But he worked hard, held the ball up well on occasion and played his part in some attacks which were unfortunate not to end in goals. Used all his experience and West Ham are going to need it.
Subs: Andy Irving: 7/10, Max Kilman and Mohamadou Kante: 6/10.
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