Manchester United 1-0 West Ham United: Five Talking Points as the Red Devils break into the top 4 | Premier League 2021-22

3. Manchester United improve considerably on the defensive end

Interim manager Ralf Rangnick had to replace Cristiano Ronaldo in their 3-1 win over Brentford in the last game to bring in Harry Maguire. It was evident that the German coach did not trust the team to hold firm even against Brentford, who have struggled to score goals as of late. Without the brilliance of David de Gea, United would have had a different result in hand against Brentford.

Rangnick emphasized the importance of winning 50/50 situations. He also openly said he couldn't have complained if they were 2-0 down after the first half against Brentford.

However, United have taken some strides forward from that and it showed on the pitch today. Both Maguire and Raphael Varane were very good at tracking West Ham's runners and did well in the build-up phases as well. Diogo Dalot had one of his best games in recent times and was involved in a lot of attacks. The only good chance West Ham had was through one mind-boggling solo run from Jarrod Bowen and through set pieces.

Otherwise it was a red shirt that was first to most of the loose balls in midfield and this is the path United would want to continue on.

4. Rangnick's substitutes do the trick

It is always good for a manager when his substitutes turn the game in his favor. However, it would be quite an oddity for all three substitutes to be involved in the winning goal. Rashford scored the winning goal, assisted by Cavani, while it was Anthony Martial who laid the ball off to the Uruguayan before the assist.

The good thing here is that Rangnick has got players on his bench who can be called upon to deliver. But the other side of the coin is - should these players have started?

United instantly looked better with Martial on the left side after replacing Mason Greenwood. He made good moves in the box and attracted attention from defenders. Martial even had a shot which could have been a goal if he executed it a tad better.

Rashford would have been better off trying to square up Coufal and run at him. However, Rangnick went with Anthony Elanga who has shown himself to be a runner. However, he didn't have a chance to showcase his runs behind the defense on Saturday. It was with the last kick that United won today due to substitutes but getting the starting lineup right is important too.

5. United get the job done but there is a lot of scope for improvement

It's brilliant to see Bruno Fernandes pop up all over the pitch, but that won't win anyone a football game. Rangnick spoke about not keeping Fernandes pinned and allowing him to move on the pitch. Despite that move, United don't have the right idea of attacking, it seems.

West Ham kept squeezing the pitch today while leaving spaces out wide but United hardly swung crosses in. It looked like United moved out wide only to drive straight into the congestion where West Ham would hoof it out without a second thought.

It would have been a better idea to create space out wide to get good crosses in and allow Ronaldo to attack those. West Ham chose their poison but they weren't made to pay. That is concerning as United struggled in the final third in both halves and it didn't get any better for them.

Another thing about United is the absence of a player who could hold it together like Declan Rice for West Ham. When an opponent gains some control, there is nobody in the United midfield who can settle things down - not Bruno and certainly not Fred and Scott McTominay.

They should target a player in the mold of Rice or even Rice himself in the next transfer window. But until then maybe they could think about giving Paul Pogba a run of games.