Last Sunday’s home draw with West Bromwich Albion was frustrating and came at the cost of a thigh injury to striker Diafra Sakho, who could now be out for up to two months.
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Slaven Bilic’s side could really have taken the lead when, in a surprisingly incredible turn of events, De Gea’s fumble of the ball from Cresswell’s cross allowed Mauro Zarate to rebound it off Chris Smalling into the post.
“It’s not like cramp”.
With Dimitri Payet, the club’s outstanding player during the opening weeks of the season, is also out with a long-term injury and Enner Valencia not yet ready to return up front after an ankle problem, Bilic’s squad is being stretched. “Firstly, we had a lot of chances to score, but we have to be happy with the draw and with the point, because the way we were working together and the team spirit we showed was fantastic. As it was done without those players, it makes it even bigger”. It was the Hammers who went close to breaking the deadlock when captain Mark Noble sent Nigerian Victor Moses through on goal but his shot thudded off the feet of United’s trusted custodian David De Gea.
This is just another in a list of impressive away performances for Bilic’s side.
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The Hammers travel to Old Trafford boasting the fourth-best away record in the division having already seen off Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Crystal Palace on the road.
