“This serves as a significant illustration. The current style of play they’ve adopted could potentially secure them the league title, and it’s solely due to one individual who returned from injury. Their contention for both the title and a trophy is now plausible because of him.” – Manchester United is fulfilling Rasmus Hojlund’s predictions following their victory against West Ham.

Wreaths were placed on the Old Trafford pitch to commemorate the victims of the Munich air disaster, marking the 66th anniversary. The latest cohort of promising Manchester United youngsters is beginning to make their mark. Rasmus Hojlund expressed his desire on Thursday night for him and his fellow newcomers to “set an era for the club and be here many years together.” Three of them were captured together, celebrating a victory.

Alejandro Garnacho replicated West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus’s distinctive celebration by sitting on the advertising hoarding and facing the pitch, joined by Hojlund and Kobbie Mainoo. United supporters are hopeful that they will witness and discuss their generation for years to come.

Though still in their teens, United-bred duo Garnacho and Mainoo, alongside Hojlund, who turned 21 today, showcased their talents. Hojlund’s recent goal on Boxing Day appears to be a significant milestone, marking his fourth in the past four Premier League starts.

Mainoo, substituted for the first time since December, received a standing ovation and praise from Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford as he made his way to the touchline. Erik ten Hag offered a congratulatory pat on the head.

Garnacho, who gained a chant shortly after his United debut at the age of 17 during the FA Youth Cup triumph in 2022, deserves recognition as the frontman. Hojlund, being the leader, is likely to be featured in United’s songbook soon. The youth talents were complemented by the experienced players, with Casemiro’s pressing setting up Hojlund’s goal, and, apart from one significant error, Harry Maguire exhibited command in his return to the starting XI after almost eight weeks. Though Maguire relinquished the captain’s armband six months ago, he remains an authoritative figure, showcased by his applause-worthy interception and strategic guidance to Lisandro Martinez for improved distribution in the middle third.

When Maguire made a mistake allowing Jarrod Bowen an opportunity, Diogo Dalot swiftly moved across to block the ball with his body, making a crucial save that elicited cheers from the United fans. Maguire expressed gratitude to Dalot for the goal-saving block. Dalot has firmly established himself as the starting right-back, coinciding with Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s absence, which has occurred more than once.

United fans’ chants of ‘Argentina’ originated at the Boleyn Ground in August 1998 in support of David Beckham, and one of the loudest occurrences happened in response to Martinez’s clash with Vladimir Coufal. Unfortunately, Martinez’s enforced withdrawal was the only negative aspect of the match, described by Ten Hag as a “personal disaster.”

Despite West Ham’s temporary superior status in the Premier League table, United reclaimed the higher position, now standing sixth. A more challenging test awaits them next week at Villa Park in this crucial month.

After experiencing setbacks with two-goal leads in previous matches, United secured an elusive third goal, ensuring a rare day without drama. This marked only the third instance this season that United went 3-0 up. The last time this occurred in a home league fixture was in May of the previous year.

During the teams’ entrance from the tunnel, Ten Hag and one of his predecessors, David Moyes, carried wreaths. A suited Moyes, with the Manchester coat of arms on his blazer, visited the Munich memorial site during his tenure as United manager in 2014, a gesture appreciated by the present supporters.

In West Ham’s colors, Moyes appeared understandably disheartened by their wastefulness in the first half, and this trend persisted early into the second half. Emerson Palmieri capitalized on Maguire’s hesitancy but opted to pass instead of shooting, posing no threat except to those in the Scoreboard End. A minute later, Garnacho managed to free himself from Palmieri’s defense and scored. The celebration included high fives and hugs for Hojlund, along with a chest bump from Maguire, commemorating his 23rd-minute opener.

Hojlund, who has now reached double figures in United goals, demonstrated a unique flair with his 10th goal. Despite having the confidence to deceive West Ham defenders and switch the ball to his weaker right foot, he kicked the ball as if it were his stronger foot. As players celebrated, Ten Hag, the manager, had his hands back in his pockets, approaching vindication with the £72million striker.

Steve Holland, Gareth Southgate’s assistant, was seated in the directors’ box, engaging in conversation with United football director John Murtough before the match. While five England internationals started across both sides, the one that Holland likely scrutinized closely was Mainoo. The 18-year-old received applause in the 21st minute for a clever move that deceived Kudus before setting Garnacho on his way.

Moyes swiftly excluded another English midfielder, Kalvin Phillips, following a challenging debut against Bournemouth earlier in the week. Despite being a substitute, Phillips, formerly of Leeds and Manchester City, did not escape teasing from the Stretford End during an early warm-up. Phillips took the banter in good spirits. However, he later lost possession of the ball, leading to Garnacho’s second goal. Phillips remained seated while Garnacho, Hojlund, and Mainoo took their places.