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This video can not be played Man United held to goalless draw by West Ham At a glance Manchester United and West Ham play out goalless Women's Super League draw Draw leaves United eight points adrift of leaders Manchester City and down to third place West Ham move three points clear of bottom club Leicester City PLAYER RATINGS Manchester United's hopes of challenging for the Women's Super League title were dealt a crushing blow as they were held to a scrappy draw by West Ham. Marc Skinner's side, returning to league action following their League Cup final defeat by Chelsea at the weekend, struggled to find their footing as they dropped down to third place, eight points behind leaders Manchester City. United were also overtaken in the standings by Chelsea, who beat Brighton 2-1 on Wednesday, while Arsenal are just three points behind with two games in hand in a close fight for the Champions League places. Skinner's side found it difficult to cope with West Ham's pressure, particularly in the first half, and rarely managed to produce any clear-cut chances. United's best moments came after the introduction of forward Melvine Malard from the bench in the 56th minute as she reinvigorated a lethargic frontline, but the Hammers dug deep to keep them at bay. Despite being down at the wrong end of the table, the hosts had their chances, with Viviane Asseyi spurning a couple of efforts, including directing an free header straight at Red Devils goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce. They pressed their opponents high up the pitch, overturning possession in midfield and causing problems with their pace on the flanks. Neither side, though, were able to produce the necessary quality to break the deadlock. Skinner said "barring a couple of counter-attacks", he thought the game was one-sided. And while he recognised United's lack of attacking penetration, he felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Germany forward Lea Schuller was bundled to the ground. "We were the dominant team in all territories but didn't do much with it. That's the reality, " he added. "I genuinely think there was a stonewall penalty, I think if we have a VAR [video assistant referee] in this league it does affect [the game]. " West Ham moved three points clear of the relegation play-off place, although bottom side Leicester City have a game in hand. Manchester United struggled to trouble 11th-placed West Ham Skinner had urged his side to be "more ruthless in both boxes" before the match, but they did little of the sort at West Ham. They produced 1. 03 expected goals and were unable to convert any of their 13 shots. They were continually frustrated by the hosts, who refused to park the bus and instead played on the front foot, causing difficulties as they tried to play through the attacking third. Being placed under pressure often forced United to go direct, but there was constant miscommunication and too many of their passes were misplaced. Skinner's side came closest in the first half when Julia Zigiotti Olme tested Kinga Szemik from the edge of the box and Elisabeth Terland sent a header goalwards, but the Hammers goalkeeper comfortably dealt with both. West Ham approached the game with high intensity and disrupted United's rhythm at every turn, preventing them being able to build any real momentum. The display was one befitting of a side who are in the midst of a relegation scrap, a battling performance to cause an upset and move further clear of Leicester. West Ham boss Rita Guarino was "very happy" with an "important point" and a clean sheet for a side that has conceded 35 goals in their 17 WSL matches. "We conceded easy goals in the past, " she said. "It was really important against a team like Manchester United with the quality that they have that we defended well. We were prepared for that and the girls did very well. " Had the Red Devils won, they would have been six points behind City with a Manchester derby at home coming up on 28 March. While their title challenge may have taken a massive hit, Skinner will also have to revive his side who are also at risk of slipping out of contention for a European qualification place. West Ham have another difficult WSL game at the weekend when they travel to fourth-placed Arsenal on Saturday, 21 March (12: 00 GMT). Manchester United are at home to Everton at the same time, before a Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, 25 March (20: 00 GMT). After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Head here to get involved Get the latest WSL news on our dedicated page Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 18th March 2026 at 21: 17 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Rita Guarino Formation: 3 - 4 - 3 Manager: Marc Skinner Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Rita Guarino Formation: 3 - 4 - 3 Manager: Marc Skinner Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Women's Super League All competitions All competitions All competitions Match ends, West Ham United Women 0, Manchester United Women 0. Second Half ends, West Ham United Women 0, Manchester United Women 0. Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Seraina Piubel (West Ham United Women). Julia Zigiotti Olme (Manchester United Women) is shown the yellow card. Julia Zigiotti Olme (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Katie Zelem (West Ham United Women). Foul by Ellen Wangerheim (Manchester United Women). Inès Belloumou (West Ham United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick on the right wing. Foul by Ylinn Tennebø (West Ham United Women). Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time. Attempt blocked. Oona Siren (West Ham United Women) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Foul by Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United Women). Leila Wandeler (West Ham United Women) wins a free kick on the left wing. Substitution, Manchester United Women. Layla Drury replaces Lisa Naalsund. Kinga Szemik (West Ham United Women) is shown the yellow card. Attempt blocked. Melvine Malard (Manchester United Women) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Inès Belloumou (West Ham United Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. Melvine Malard (Manchester United Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.