West Ham United escaped Old Trafford with a hard-fought 1–1 draw against Manchester United in the 2025/2026 Premier League season, securing a valuable point away from home in a match full of momentum shifts and tactical battles. Soungoutou Magassa’s composed finish in the 83rd minute cancelled out Diogo Dalot’s earlier opener, earning the visitors a result that manager Nuno Espírito Santo described as nothing short of deserved.
While Manchester United struck first, West Ham grew stronger as the match progressed. Their disciplined defending, intelligent pressing, and resilient mentality allowed them to seize control through much of the second half. Eventually, the pressure paid off — and Nuno believes the final outcome fairly reflected the balance of the game.
Nuno Espírito Santo Praises the Mentality and Structure of His Team
The draw may not lift West Ham out of the relegation zone yet, but Nuno was adamant that the performance is a significant building block as the club fights to climb the table.
“We must be proud of the players’ hard work,” Nuno told Sky Sports after the match. “They were incredible in how they contained Manchester United how they reacted when behind. We came here to win, and the players gave everything. We should be satisfied.”
Magassa’s goal, a crucial equalizer, came during a spell of West Ham dominance. The manager could hardly hide his delight at the moment.
“I was very, very happy when the goal came,” he added. “At that point, we were on top. We had momentum, and the players knew we could turn the game.”
Bowen Leads by Example, Defensive Unit Earns Praise
Nuno singled out several players for exceptional performances — starting with captain Jarrod Bowen, who he believes played one of his best matches of the season.
“I’m extremely pleased with Jarrod,” the manager said. “We are lucky to have him wearing the armband. He leads by example. He was magnificent today.”
The Portuguese manager also highlighted the back line, which he considered solid and disciplined throughout the match. Despite conceding once, Nuno believes the defensive structure functioned exactly as planned.
“Aaron Wan-Bissaka had a very good game,” he noted. “Our defensive work was strong. The goal we conceded was simply a rebound — nothing to do with our organization or lack of cover. Everything we worked on defensively was very positive.”
Dalot’s opener came after a chaotic sequence where West Ham failed to clear the ball, leading to what Nuno described as “an unfortunate second ball rather than a defensive error.”
A Valuable Point from One of the Premier League’s Toughest Venues
Old Trafford has historically been one of the most intimidating arenas for visiting sides, making West Ham’s result all the more significant. Nuno stressed how important it was for his squad to take something home from such a fixture.
“This is an important result because this is a difficult place,” he said. “We are proud to leave with something. Honestly, it could have been three points. We had the momentum at the right moments.”
But while pleased, Nuno made clear that the draw does not change the broader mission for his side.
“This doesn’t change anything,” he asserted. “We are building. We are improving. We must continue to seek better performances.”
With a crucial match against Brighton coming next, West Ham will look to build on the confidence from the second-half display. Nuno believes that good results accelerate recovery, both physically and mentally.
“When you have a strong performance and a positive result, your legs recover faster,” he said. “We will be ready.”
A Second-Half Transformation: West Ham Take Control
One of the most notable aspects of the match was West Ham’s transformation after the interval. Their pressing sharpened, their defensive shape tightened, and their transitions became far more threatening.
Nuno highlighted this dramatic improvement:
“Our overall performance, especially in the second half — the way we reacted, the way we played, the way we collaborated — created many problems for Manchester United,” he explained.
United struggled to regain control as West Ham’s confidence grew, and by the final 20 minutes, it was the visitors who looked likelier to score.
A Result That Reflects West Ham’s Progress
The draw at Old Trafford is a sign that West Ham’s identity under Nuno Espírito Santo is beginning to take shape. Though still in the relegation zone, the team’s discipline, spirit, and tactical clarity are rapidly improving.
Nuno’s message was clear: this result is not about luck — it is about effort, structure, and belief.
And if performances like this continue, West Ham may soon find themselves climbing away from the bottom of the table.
