'Nightmare' for Man United as crucial win goes begging against West Ham

Manchester United missed a crucial chance to inch closer towards the Premier League's top-four after having victory snatched away by relegation battlers West Ham in an 83rd minute dagger blow that forced them to settle for a 1-1 draw.

With the clock winding down, the Old Trafford crowd held their breath as the home side attempted to shut the game down with a 1-0 lead, but the script was torn up when Soungoutou Magassa struck a late equaliser.

A corner for the visitors was cleared off the line by a United defender, but the French youngster belted it into the back of the net.

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"It's a nightmare at the back for Manchester United," Drury said.

Bruno Fernandes had an opportunity to pinch the win in the 95th minute, but his shot sailed wide and into the grandstand - and with it went two competition points.

As the full-time whistle blew, United's rowdy fans began to boo the result.

While a late flurry raised the supporters' heart rates, it took an age before either side could make a dent in the opponents' defence.

After a tense first half that saw United unable to break through the Hammers' resolve, it was left-back Diogo Dalot who broke the deadlock in the 58th minute.

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It marked Dalot's first goal since April and his first in the Premier League in 18 months as he put the hosts ahead and sent the fans into raptures.

A deflected shot from Casemiro landed right at the Portuguese star's feet and he made the most of the golden opportunity, taking a lovely touch before sinking it.

"Bit of luck about the way it came to him, but it's a clinical hit ... his first goal since April and his first in the Premier League since May last year," commentator Peter Drury said.

The result sees the Red Devils remain in eighth spot, whereas a win would have pushed them up to fifth and level on points with the fourth-placed Chelsea, who suffered a horror 3-1 defeat at the hands of Leeds on Thursday morning (AEDT).

Ruben Amorim's men will look to bounce back against Wolverhampton on Tuesday morning (AEDT) and keep in touch with the Champions League qualification positions.

West Ham remain in 18th spot despite splitting the points against United and will next face Brighton on Monday morning (AEDT).