West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo says Manchester United draw is ‘another step’ forwards

December 05, 2025

In Thursday's (04.12.25) match, the Irons had fallen behind just before the hour when the Red Devils full-back Diogo Dalot, 26, scored his first Premier League goal at Old Trafford, only for Soungoutou Magassa, 22, to equalise in the final minutes of the game, and Santo has now praised his London club for their resilience.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, he said: “It was a good game. Knowing that we face a very tough opponent full of talented players, and that we were able to contain them. In the second half, we controlled the game, we dominated.

“We created chances. The game could have gone both ways. But I’m very pleased with the work that the boys did.”

The hosts looked in control early in the second half and should have doubled their lead when Matheus Cunha, 26, saw a clear chance blocked.

That miss proved costly as West Ham grew in confidence, with Jarrod Bowen, 28, winning the corner that eventually produced the equaliser.

Bowen met Andy Irving’s, 25, inswinging delivery at the near post, forcing a clearance off the line, only for the ball to fall to Magassa who bundled home from close range for his first Premier League goal.

The Frenchman’s strike earned West Ham a deserved point and halted United’s push to climb into the top five.

The Hammers head coach was delighted for Magassa, who has been slowly integrating into the Premier League after joining from Monaco.

Santo said: “It’s always nice. It increases his confidence. But not only Magassa, I think all of the team played really well. The defence was OK. We created situations.

“Special mention to Jarrod, who did an amazing job for the team. We are very pleased to have him as a captain.”

Despite sitting in a difficult position in the table, Santo believes performances like this show progress.

He said: “We try and try. It’s really difficult to build with the urgency of the results, and the situation that we’re in.

“But it’s another step, there’s still a long way to go, a lot of things to improve. As long as there’s commitment and belief, we’re going to do it.”