Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea was expecting Declan Rice to step up and take West Ham’s penalty before denying Mark Noble from the spot.
The Hammers were awarded a penalty deep into injury time after Luke Shaw handled the ball inside the box – moments after the Red devils were denied a penalty their own.
David Moyes chose to bring on the regular penalty kick taker Mark Noble to take the penalty with what would have likely been his only touch of the match.
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But, De Gea produced a fine save to deny the Hammers skipper with United holding onto the 2-1 victory courtesy of Jesse Lingard’s superb winner.
Speaking after the game, De Gea explained his surprise over the decision to bring on Noble, telling Sky Sports: ‘I saw Rice with the ball, I was expecting him to take the penalty then I saw Noble with the ball.
‘It was the last minute, I made the save. A massive three points for us. Going through my head was ‘save the ball’.
The Spain international added: ‘It is a massive three points. In the dressing room we said the three points were the most important thing.’
United’s win moves them level on points with Liverpool and Chelsea at the top of the Premier League, having taken 13 points from a possible 15.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will host West Ham in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday before playing against Aston Villa next Saturday.
