Manchester United fail to stay unbeaten against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday afternoon, promoting Manchester City into Premier League champions with their 1-0 loss to the Championship-bound side.
The only goal was scored by Jay Rodriguez midway through the second half, to make United pay for their lack of creativity and zest, winning only their fourth match of the season. Manchester United stayed on 71 points, 16 behind the new champions with five games to play, but with a point more than Liverpool, who also have a game in hand.
Manchester United Speed Up The Crowning Of Manchester City
Prior to the match, Manchester United knew they only needed not to lose to Baggies to prolong Manchester City’s chase for the title. However, that is exactly what happened. United’s poor performance in front of their fans was in stark opposite to the last weekend’s win at the Etihad.
This was a completely different performance. There was no fight like there was last Saturday, while creativity is far from the word to describe their overall display. Manchester United made 17 shots throughout the game, but that number is not doing a good service to what we have seen. There was not too many great opportunities, while West Brom proved they are still willing to fight. They managed to win at Anfield this season and now they have done that at Old Trafford.
Attacking Inconsistency Is An Issue For United
This was a great example of what is a big issue for Manchester United. Watching the Devils last weekend and today proved to be two different teams. Against City, United had a fighting spirit of a wounded lion, their pride being torn apart. The second-half performance from eight days ago was an example of how the Devils could play if they managed to be consistent.
With that kind of ability, drive and precision, Jose Mourinho’s team would be able to win the title next season. Yet, in order to do that, they would have to repeat performances like that one for the best part of the 38 matches. The loss to West Brom only highlights the inconsistency. Paul Pogba was unimpressive, while the starting XI without Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford lacked ways of creating great chances.
Ben Foster Makes A Case For Him Staying In The Premier League
West Bromwich Albion managed to beat the Devils, but their fight to stay up is still far from easy. The Baggies have 24 points from 34 matches. That means they are nine points away from the safety and with a match less to play. Even winning all of the 12 possible points would most probably not be enough for them.
However, Ben Foster is probably one of the players that will play in Premier League next season. The goalkeeper has shown that he possesses the quality to play in the top flight, making four saves to deny Manchester United a point. He was the reason why the Devils could not score from those few opportunities they managed to create and teams from the mid-table and lower end of the Premier League will be looking at Foster during the summer.
Ben Foster has already said that he’s going nowhere, he’s dedicated to the Albion, which has become his home.