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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
Adam Millington
BBC Sport journalist
Manchester United's hopes of challenging for the Women's Super League title were dealt a 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.
They 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.
United were overtaken in the standings by Chelsea, who beat Brighton 2-1 on Wednesday, while Arsenal are just three points behind Skinner's side with two games in hand.
West Ham moved three points clear of the relegation play-off place, although bottom side Leicester City have a game in hand.
Analysis: Man Utd lack urgency as Hammers show battling qualities
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.
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 have to revive his side who are also at risk of slipping out of contention for a European qualification place.
What's next for these teams?
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).
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West Ham United
Manchester United
Starting XI
1K. Szemik
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28E. Cascarino
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13E. Nyström
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15Y. Tennebø
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20V. Asseyi
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19S. Martinez
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23F. Morgan
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77S. Piubel
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27L. Wandeler
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Starting XI
91P. Tullis-Joyce
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17D. Janssen
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21M. Turner
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4M. Le Tissier
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5H. Lundkvist
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18J. Zigiotti Olme
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16L. Naalsund
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12F. Rolfö
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10E. Terland
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8J. Park
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24L. Schüller
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13S. Awujo
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57L. Drury
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3G. George
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9M. Malard
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19E. Wangerheim
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