FOOTBALL
Fernandes rues lack of cutting edge in 'frustrating' West Ham defeat
Bruno Fernandes conceded that Manchester United's display in their 2-0 defeat to West Ham United was "not enough" as their Premier League woes continued.
Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen struck either side of half-time to earn the Hammers their first league win at Old Trafford since 2006-07.
West Ham also completed only their fifth ever top-flight double over the Red Devils, having previously done so in 1926-27, 1928-29, 1976-77, and 2006-07.
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It was another frustrating game for United, who amassed an expected goals (xG) total of 2.28 from their 20 shots, but were unable to beat Alphonse Areola.
The result leaves United down in 16th, with this their ninth home Premier League defeat of the season, their joint-most ever home losses in a single league campaign.
They are winless in seven top-flight games (D2 L5), their joint-longest ever run in the competition, also going seven without victory from September to November 1992.
And Fernandes, who missed two chances himself in the contest, said his team lacked a cutting edge in the final third on Sunday.
"We created a lot of chances, but this is not enough. We have to put our chances into goals," the Manchester United captain said.
"Today was a frustrating day because we couldn't do that.
"We need to be stronger and more eager to score goals and put balls into the box. If you create the chances, you have to try and bury them in."
𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐭𝐝 𝟎-𝟐 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐦Goals from Tomás Soucek and Jarrod Bowen see West Ham leapfrog Manchester United in the table.It is Man Utd's ninth home league defeat of the season, their joint-most ever in a single league campaign, and most since 1962-63. #MUNWHU pic.twitter.com/1ahuTQ5BQO— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) May 11, 2025
Fernandes acknowledged his side's struggles in front of goal this season, with United having managed just 42 goals in the Premier League.
Only Everton (39), Ipswich Town (35), Leicester City (31) and Southampton (25) have scored fewer than United's total (West Ham are level on 42).
"It's difficult to explain. Everyone wants to score goals. It's not been our season to get the goals in," Fernandes added.
"We have to improve on that. We have to be much better. And we have to be more aggressive."
Fernandes also discussed United's upcoming Europa League final, where they will face Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao on May 21.
The 30-year-old insisted that while their Premier League season is one to forget, his team-mates can not place sole focus on their showpiece match against Spurs.
"We had two games, we have one more game. We can't only focus on the Europa League final. We have to put maximum effort into every game," he said.
"Any points in the Premier League at this moment for us will be massive."
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