West Ham 1-0 Manchester United: David de Gea HOWLER gifts Said Benrahma first half winner

The lasting memory of this encounter will be the image of David de Gea shaking his head in confusion at how he had managed to get himself into such a mess.

He wasn’t alone. Only De Gea can explain how he made Said Benrahma’s shot squirm through his grasp. You would think that his manager Erik ten Hag would demand that explanation.

While West Ham all but secured their Premier League status with this brilliant win, United are in danger of relinquishing their grip on a top-four finish.

They run out of steam at the wrong time, their grueling schedule catching up with them. Plus, Liverpool breathe down their necks.

Perhaps they will find comfort in the fact that Newcastle, who are in third place, also lost on Sunday. But that would be grabbing straws. Because here in East London they were – for the most part – despicable, blown away by the intensity of West Ham.

United have won just twice in their last six; one of them via a penalty shoot-out against Brighton.

In the end, De Gea cost them here at the London Stadium, but overall their form should see Ten Hag enter the final weeks of the season.

Their triumph in the Carabao Cup has brought tangible success. Who knows, they could clinch another domestic cup when they take on Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

But this season, the goal has always been to qualify for the Champions League. At one point, their return to the top flight of European football seemed assured. Not anymore.

The perception of Ten Hag’s largely impressive first season in charge will change if they screw it up now

But for the first 25 minutes there was a fluidity to United’s play that West Ham found difficult to tame.

But even in the throws of their bright opening there were signs of the embarrassment De Gea was about to suffer as he was saved by Wout Weghorst’s zeal after the midfield goalkeeper’s misdirected pass was easily read by Declan Rice.

Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Anthony all missed decent chances in the first 10 minutes as United went flying out of the blocks.

David Moyes was grateful for the return of the key trio of Rice, Tomas Soucek and Nayef Aguerd – who missed the midweek loss at the Etihad through illness.

Who knows if without them the Hammers could have kept United at bay in the early stages.

United, who also hit a post via Rashford, were in control. In full control.

But there are some things you cannot legislate for; what would follow was such an opportunity.

Perhaps Luke Shaw could have been meatier in the tackle. Perhaps Aaron could have chased Wan-Bissaka harder.

But this was all about De Gea’s shortcomings. Benrahma’s 27th-minute effort should have been routinely saved; somehow the ball rolled under De Gea’s hand.

The United goalkeeper is compiling a growing catalog of anomalies.

The cameras panned to Ten Hag, who looked fearlessly into the sky. You wonder what was going through his mind.

Antony’s deflected effort hit the outside of Fabianski’s far post as United regained their composure before De Gea finally thwarted Benrahma on the stroke of half time. If only he had done that sooner.

The Hammers were furious that the Algerian’s action – who appeared to hit Victor Lindelof on the arm – was not referred to VAR.

Not that Moyes had too much to complain about. United, on the other hand, had only themselves to blame.

They had made the openings, but lacked the sharpness. It’s not the first time their efficiency in front of goal has cost them in recent weeks.

No wonder Ten Hag has put a new center striker at the top of his summer wish list. You wouldn’t be surprised if he also wants a new goalkeeper.

De Gea had a terrible evening. West Ham had the ball in the net in the 52nd minute, only for referee Peter Bankes to disallow the goal for a soft foul by Mikhail Antonio on De Gea.

Weghorst saw his shot from the edge of the penalty area comfortably saved by Fabianski in the 56th minute before being replaced by Anthony Martial.

But despite all United’s attempts to keep level, West Ham kept them at bay.

Soucek waved through the side netting with an acrobatic scissor kick from a Lucas Paqueta cross as West Ham carried David Moyes’ plan to the tee.

In the heat of battle, Rice was at his best. Every blade of grass. Attentive to his own half. Expressive to the contrary.

A special mention also to Paqueta, whose influence has grown in this West Ham team. Last night he was great again.

Soucek thought he had headed the Hammers into a two-goal lead in the 73rd minute, but the Czech midfielder had strayed into an offside position.

Rashford saw Fabianski’s shot deflect over the head before the game was halted for a long time after a sickening head clash between Soucek and Wan-Bissaka.

The treatment added eight minutes of stoppage time to the game. Another eight minutes of suffering for West Ham supporters – or United’s, depending on how you look at it.

But the fear was worth it. Those in burgundy and blue exploded.

Those in red – and one goalkeeper in luminous green – couldn’t get off the field fast enough.