West Ham United’s recent encounter with Manchester United at Old Trafford saw Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Kudus operating in an unorthodox left-wing position, a tactical decision by manager David Moyes aimed at countering specific threats from the opposition.
Despite West Ham succumbing to a 3-0 defeat on Sunday, Kudus’ performance stood out as a bright spot for the Hammers.
The 23-year-old showcased his skills by completing an impressive seven dribbles, with five of them achieved in the first half alone, surpassing the entire Manchester United team combined.
Additionally, Kudus won the most duels (15) during the game and emerged as the most fouled player, drawing four fouls from the opposition.
Moyes, in a post-match analysis, shed light on the strategic placement of Kudus on the left-wing, elucidating that it was a deliberate move to counter the attacking threats posed by Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw on the left side of Manchester United’s formation.
The manager opted to play Ben Johnson on the right, shifting Kudus to the left-wing to nullify the attacking prowess of Rashford and Shaw.
“We played Ben Johnson on the right today, and Mohammed Kudus on the left, and I thought Ben did a brilliant job,” remarked Moyes.
Acknowledging Kudus’ adaptability, Moyes commended the midfielder’s versatile performance, describing him as a “hybrid player” who can fulfill different roles as needed.
While Moyes noted that this strategic move may not be a long-term solution, he credited Ben Johnson for effectively executing the tactical plan.
Despite the defeat, Moyes expressed satisfaction with the overall performance of the players, highlighting the effective defensive measures taken against key Manchester United threats.
The match showcased Kudus’ ability to adapt to varying roles, adding a layer of versatility to West Ham’s tactical approach.
