Hands off Issa

Disturbing reports in the Daily Mirror and Sun of Manchester United interest in Issa Diop, if we can believe them. At least Sullivan and Gold seem to be knocking back United, having insisted WHU want cash and Anthony Martial if any deal went through. Come to think of it, why not ask for Lukaku? And we certainly don't want Phil Jones. If Leicester are asking £80m for Harry Maguire, then Diop has to be worth the same. He's not the finished article, but his potential is immense. And from the player's point of view he doesn't need to move at his age. If the club stays solid then United will soon realise they can get a centre back much cheaper in the European market.

Hasta la vista, Arnie?

It's the silly season and the press seem intent on starting rumours about Marko Arnautovic. The Sun has rather a worrying amount of detail about how Jose Mourinho was impressed by the way Arnie bullied Smalling and Jones in the recent draw at the London Stadium and claim Jose has told his board he would be getting four forwards for the price of one. Admittedly Arnie has played for Mourinho before at Inter Milan. But would United really want a 29-year-old who is still basically a maverick, albeit one who's just had a very good half season, particularly if it meant ditching Marcus Rashford? 

The other rumour is that new Everton boss Silva is after Marko as well — which would definitely be a sideways move. The way Arnautovic treated Stoke means he might do the same to West Ham, though you would hope that all that badge kissing and arm crossing might be genuine. Selling him would send the wrong signal and David Sullivan knows he has to placate the fans this summer. There's also a good chance that Mourinho will suffer his familiar third season implosion and be gone from Man United by the end of next season. If United are genuinely interested then West Ham have to stand firm.

West Ham denied a point after Wayne sees red

Manchester United 2 West Ham 1

Managed to listen to the game on Absolute Radio and you could certainly hear the West Ham fans singing “Cheerio!” when Wayne Rooney was sent off for a stupid and dangerously high hack on Stewart Downing. Match of the Day confirms we were unlucky not to get a point in the end as Nolan’s goal is disallowed by a dubious offside flag.

Noble is injured and Poyet makes his full league debut, while United have to give a debut to Paddy McNair at centre back. The Mancs go ahead after seven minutes and it looks like the Irons are in for their normal spanking. Creswell doesn’t boot ball and man into touch as Van Persie tussles with him, allowing Rafael to nick the ball past him and rampage down the right. The full back’s cross is met by Rooney who fires a great first time shot over Adrian. Yes, our defence should have been tighter, but it’s a quality strike.

West Ham should equalise almost immediately, as a bad back pass lets in Valencia, only for the West Ham man to fire way over the bar. We’re two goals down when Song gets dispossessed in midfield, and Falcao finds Van Persie, who fires a first time shot across Adrian and into the corner.

But this is not the invincible United of old. Demel wins a corner. Valencia heads on to the bar and Sakho heads in the rebound for his fourth goal in four games.

BYE BYE ROONEY

At the start of the second half Adrian makes a good save from Falcao’s deflected shot. Cresswell crosses and Sakho volleys first time to bring a great stop from De Gea. Rooney’s silly sending off, with the ball 70 yards from United's goal, gives us the chance to do a Leicester. “Oh no, we’re up against ten men!” I text to Matt, remembering how we always seem to play worse after an opponent is dismissed.

I’m not sure that bringing on Carlton Cole for Amalfitano is a good decision, as it encourages West Ham to go more direct. Sakho has another header into the side netting and we force an endless series of corners. It’s not often West Ham have United desperately defending at Old Trafford. Debutant McNair has to make a great headed clearance to prevent a goal. The key moment is in the 89^th minute, as lively sub Jenkinson crosses from the right and Nolan prods home. His body is in line with the last defender and his head a fraction in front. It’s a very harsh decision.

This was our chance to finally get something at Old Trafford and in that sense it’s disappointing, but if we can finish better it’s still an encouraging sign how close we pushed a side that has just spent £150m.