Manchester United Rue Missed Chances As West Ham Strike Late

Manchester United fans were left frustrated once again as a late goal from Soungoutou Magassa denied the Red Devils all three points in a tense 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
What looked like a routine victory slipped away in the 83rd minute, leaving United stuck in eighth place and still searching for consistency.

How The Match Unfolded

West Ham almost stunned the home crowd early when Aaron Wan-Bissaka accidentally set up Mateus Fernandes, whose shot was only kept out thanks to a Casemiro deflection.

United responded with waves of pressure:

• Areola pulled off a superb save from Bryan Mbeumo

• Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, and Bruno Fernandes all came close

• Chaos in the West Ham box had fans on their feet

Despite United’s dominance, Jarrod Bowen kept the visitors dangerous, but new signing Senne Lammens was sharp to stop him.

United Looked In Control… Until They Weren’t

The second half opened with the same energy — Mbeumo kept asking questions of the West Ham defence, but Potts and Souček threw themselves into crucial blocks.

Eventually, the breakthrough arrived.

A loose ball from Casemiro fell to Diogo Dalot, who stayed composed and placed it beautifully into the bottom corner. Old Trafford erupted.
It felt like the game was finally in United’s hands.

But West Ham had other ideas.

Magassa’s First Goal Stuns Old Trafford

The Hammers pushed back with urgency, forcing United into panicked clearances.
Mazraoui even had to clear Bowen’s clever flick off the line to keep the lead alive.

Then the moment came.

In the 83rd minute, Soungoutou Magassa pounced — smashing home his first-ever goal for West Ham and shocking the home crowd.
Just like that… 1-1.
All United’s hard work undone in seconds.

Late chances for Mohamadou Kanté and Bruno Fernandes went begging, sealing another frustrating night for the Red Devils.

West Ham remain in the relegation zone, but this point might prove massive.
United, meanwhile, now have three draws in their last five games and still look far from convincing.

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Courtois Acknowledges Ups And Downs With Alonso After Madrid’s Much-Needed Win

Real Madrid finally hit the reset button at San Mames, ending a frustrating three-match winless streak away from home with a confident 3-0 victory over Athletic Club. But beyond the scoreline, what caught attention was Thibaut Courtois’ candid admission that the squad’s relationship with manager Xabi Alonso has seen “better or worse moments”.

The Belgian goalkeeper—who made a crucial save at 1-0 to keep the momentum alive—praised the team’s response while subtly hinting at the internal pressures the club has faced in recent weeks.

It was a victory Madrid needed, not just for points, but for peace.

Madrid Break Slump With Their “Most Complete Display”

Xabi Alonso described the performance as Real Madrid’s best of the season, and it’s hard to argue:

• Controlled tempo

• Improved pressing

• Better defensive organisation

• Sharper transitions

After three disappointing league draws, Los Blancos finally rediscovered the level expected from a title-chasing squad.

Courtois admitted that the team’s drop in intensity—especially during the sluggish outing against Girona—was unacceptable. “If you don’t play at 100%, you can easily be beaten,” he said.

But the win didn’t come without a price.

Both Eduardo Camavinga and Trent Alexander-Arnold picked up injuries—adding to Madrid’s already overloaded medical room.

Courtois Clears The Air: “We’re Always Close To Him”

With rumours swirling about a fractured dressing room, Courtois made a deliberate effort to calm the noise.

Speaking to Spanish media, he clarified:

• There’s no major conflict between Alonso and the squad

• Tension is normal in football

• External speculation exaggerated the situation

His exact words:
“In relationships, there are always better or worse moments… On the outside, there’s always noise, but internally, we don’t notice it.”

It was a subtle but important message—Madrid might not be perfect, but the dressing room isn’t in flames either.

Reports Still Suggest A Dressing-Room Divide

Despite Courtois’ reassurance, the wider narrative remains tense.

Several reports have pointed to:

• Confusion over Alonso’s tactics

• Inconsistent roles for senior players

• Friction with big personalities

• Vinicius Jr.’s public frustration and contract hesitation

Madrid’s tactical experiments early in the season didn’t help, especially after the heavy defeat to Atletico Madrid and a dip in intensity throughout November.

The victory at San Mames may have paused the noise, but it hasn’t silenced it.

Madrid’s Turning Point… Or Temporary Relief?

There’s no question Madrid needed this win.
But one performance doesn’t erase the concerns:

• Inconsistent pressing

• Overreliance on individual brilliance

• Mounting injuries

• Internal pressure on Alonso’s project

The 3-0 win buys time—but the spotlight stays on.

If Real Madrid want to regain control of the title race and calm the storm around Alonso, they’ll need consistency, not just moments.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold Set For Two Months Out After Latest Injury Blow

Real Madrid have confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold has suffered a rectus femoris injury in his left thigh, adding yet another setback to what has been a turbulent debut season in Spain. The 27-year-old lasted barely ten minutes after the restart against Athletic Club before limping off—an image that now defines Madrid’s growing injury crisis.

This injury is expected to keep him out for around two months, a huge blow for Los Blancos at a time when consistency and defensive stability are desperately needed.

A Promising Night Cut Short

Before the injury struck, Alexander-Arnold had delivered his first La Liga assist, showing glimpses of the attacking brilliance Madrid signed him for. But just as he appeared to be settling into rhythm, disaster hit again.

Real Madrid’s medical tests confirmed the muscular damage, marking his second major injury spell this season. Earlier, he missed six weeks with a hamstring strain, and Spanish media have been questioning whether he has fully adapted to Madrid’s intensity.

Just when Madrid needed continuity, they’re right back to patchwork solutions.

Madrid’s Right-Back Problem Just Got Worse

With Dani Carvajal already out until 2026, Alexander-Arnold’s absence leaves Xabi Alonso with no natural senior right-back available. That means another round of improvisation:

• Federico Valverde, a midfielder by trade

• Raul Asencio, a developing squad option

Both players can fill in, but neither offers the natural defensive profile Madrid require—especially during a jam-packed winter schedule featuring La Liga battles, European fixtures, and the Spanish Super Cup.

The more Valverde is forced into defensive duties, the less influence he can provide in midfield—a trade-off Alonso would rather avoid.

A Recovery That Needs Patience And Precision

The rectus femoris injury is particularly tricky for players who rely heavily on acceleration, long-range passing, and overlapping runs—three staples of Alexander-Arnold’s game. With his earlier hamstring problem still fresh, Madrid are expected to be extremely cautious.

Rushing him back could risk an even longer spell on the sidelines, something both club and player desperately want to avoid.

For now, his debut season at the Santiago Bernabeu remains disrupted, inconsistent, and full of unanswered questions. Madrid need him, but they need him fully fit—not half ready.

What This Means For Real Madrid

Real Madrid now face:

• A thin defensive line

• A congested fixture schedule

• Tactical compromises

• Increased squad pressure

Xabi Alonso must find balance, stability, and results… without his two senior right-backs. It’s a huge test of depth and adaptability—one that could shape Madrid’s season.

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