5 talking points as Man Utd hit new low and suffer big blow in West Ham loss

MANCHESTER UNITED 0-2 WEST HAM: Ruben Amorim's side suffered their 17th defeat of the season as goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen saw the Irons leapfrog their opponents
West Ham ensured Manchester United's Premier League woes continued as the Red Devils matched their longest run without a win in the competition. They have failed to earn three points in their last seven matches for the first time since 1992.
The Irons' 2-0 victory saw them end a 16-game winless run at Old Trafford and secure a record of winning four of their last five meetings against the 13-time Premier League champions. United showed some positive play in the early stages but it was the visitors who were able to find a way through.
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Brilliant build-up play saw Aaron Wan-Bissaka play in Mohammed Kudus, who smartly sent Amad to the floor before firing the ball across the box. Tomas Soucek was on hand to nudge the ball between Harry Amass' legs and into the net from close range.
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United showed all of the quality their league position suggests in the second period as Manuel Ugarte quickly fell to the floor under pressure in his own half to spark another attack for the Irons. Wan-Bissaka was involved again to provide a perfect ball across the six-yard box for Jarrod Bowen to double his side's lead.
The hosts dominated the closing stages of the match but failure to be clinical and an impressive Alphonse Areola ensured they did not find the net. Mirror Football takes a look at the talking points to arise from the match.
United's saviours start
Mason Mount, Amad, Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo all came off the bench and sparked a change in United's second leg Europa League win over Athletic Bilbao. They were tasked with impressing from the start as Ruben Amorim's stars now all vie for a place to play in the European final.
A curling cross-field ball from Mount to Amad hinted at what could be unleashed from the troop at their best, and the latter often proved to be full of pace and tempo to provide a threat. But one again, as with most United stars this season, there were difficult moments.
Mainoo struggled in an advanced position that had seen Bruno Fernandes dropped deeper, and Luke Shaw's positioning was far from perfect in a back three. There will be tough decisions to make ahead of the Europa League final and Amad probably has the best chance to keep his place for now.
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Playing for their
While some players will be performing with an eye on facing Spurs in Bilbao, otherwise will be hoping to prove to Amorim that they are worthy of a squad spot next year and others, perhaps their next club.
Altay Bayindir started his second Premier League game in succession for the Red Devils and likely faces the prospect of playing to show his ability to a new team, should he want to find first time football. The Turkish ace earned his spot in net with Andre Onana being rested and despite the No.1's failures this season, Bayindir has failed to offer an argument he should take his spot.
Sunday saw an unconvincing outing for the goalkeeper who was unable to provide an authorative presence and showed some questionable communication. Tested early in the second period by James Ward-Prowse, Bayindir stood up to the task but he may be required to do more to have teams knocking at the door and to turn slow down United's search for a new shotstopper.
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In the opposite net, Alphonse Areola proved to be a wall as United knocked on the door in the second half and pulled off an impressive 79th-minute save to deny Rasmus Hojlund.
Does the Premier League matter?
From a United perspective, given another defeat, you would hope not. Heading into the afternoon, the highest the club could finish was 12th and a positive result for the Hammers would see them leapfrog their hosts.
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"We can't save anything from the Premier League," Amorim said ahead of the game. "But we do have to acknowledge we are Manchester United - and we need to win games."
It was not on the agenda at Old Trafford on Sunday. The Red Devils had big chances but perhaps offered their opponents better ones.
The club are in a battle for 17th and avoiding that will likely take a backseat to any European aspirations. Wins will be wanted, but that does not feel in United's control in the division.
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Graham Potter's position
Only Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton had earned fewer points than the Irons since Graham Potter's first match in charge of the club. They had been winless in eight games heading to Old Trafford where winning is not something the Londoners experience often.
Potter managed to see United's central weakness and offered Mohammed Kudus plenty of freedom to cause the home side issues throughout the game. Given their position in the league, few teams offer better chance to pick up three points than United and Potter's side ultimately took advantage.
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Earning three points at the Theatre of Dreams will offer an important boost to West Ham's boss, and its reputation will offer some credibility even with United's deficiencies. It was critical for Potter to find that heading into next season.
Another injury blow
Leny Yoro looked downbeat as he was guided off the pitch with an injury. Never a good sign with a final to come in 10 days time. Ruben Amorim's team selections have been hampered by injury in recent months, and even for this game Ayden Heaven, Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt and Toby Collyer were all watching on from the directors' box.
Amorim immediately replaced Luke Shaw alongside Yoro, seeming to want to protect the player as Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof came into play. There could certainly be a nervous week for United as they prepare for their lone chance at success this season.
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