West Brom 1-2 Manchester United

New Year, but same old story – that was until Wayne Rooney turned the tables and inspired a twist in both his own form and his clubs fortunes as he seemed to personify change. Chicharito came off the bench to score the winner – just as he did in United’s only other away win of the season – but it was Rooney’s performance and attitude that will be the lasting memory of this game at the Hawthorns.

United took an early lead through Rooney – Gabriel Obertan carried the ball wide left and held it up before knocking it back to Patrice Evra whose cross was headed in by last season’s top scorer. Coming after less than 3 minutes, it seemed as if the proverbial monkey was off of Rooney’s back with a New Year and fresh slate, and he celebrated in kind.

Early goals at home for United settle the team down and allow them to fully express themselves against teams who are forced to play for a result; away from home, however, and the Red Devils tend to get complacent, believing they can keep the ball without any undue pressure; against enterprising opponents like West Brom – who have already shown that a 0-2 deficit at Old Trafford doesn’t faze them – this would never be the case.

A long cross field pass in the 14th minute was headed down by Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra didn’t react quickly enough in the floating of the pass to close down James Morrison; the former Middlesbrough midfielder reacted magnificently to Vidic’s wayward clearance to half volley into the top corner. It’s fair to say that Tomasz Kuszczak had no chance (in because of illness), and neither would have Edwin van der Sar.

United were rocking and should have conceded a penalty and a man – Gary Neville was caught out and brought down Dorrans; referee Chris Foy waved play on but United supporters to a man held their breath with the realisation they’d got away with it; Neville may have temporarily, but the way he was consistently found out means that his first team opportunities will be limited for the remainder of the season and performances such as this one (against, with all due respect, lower mid-table opposition) will probably convince the man himself he simply can’t cut it at this level anymore.

Chris Brunt almost scored in the immediate aftermath of that move but his 25 yard shot curled over; and although the Baggies clearly had the impetus they never really made their pressure count until after the break, when Rio Ferdinand was penalised for a trip inside the box on Jerome Thomas in the 62nd minute. Peter Odemwingie fired the spotkick horrendously wide, however, to give United a reprieve.

The visitors began to ramp up the pressure and should have had a penalty themselves with Thomas clearly used his arm to divert a Fabio cross behind goal; the resultant corner was knocked behind again, but from Rooney’s cross on the second, Chicharito (on for the generally ineffectual Berbatov) converted around 6 yards out.

West Brom pressed but never severely threatened; there was a brief scare with Vidic being forced to clear a goalbound shot but it was dealt with 5 yards out and was never vicious enough to look completely scary; the biggest talking point of the last 5 minutes came from Rooney again. Having been fouled on a break, Rooney gestured to the bench that he couldn’t continue, and came off, putting United down to ten men having made all their substitutes. However, Rooney came back on as the fourth official indicated there would be five minutes of stoppage time, showing incredible character and commitment to the cause – and was, in fact, United’s most potent player and likely to create something in that added time.

United managed to go 3 points clear; at elates temporarily; but importantly, they seemed to have turned a corner in this New Year. And that was perfectly illustrated by a man of the match performance from Rooney, for the first time this season.

Ratings : Kuszczak 6, Neville 5 (Fabio), Ferdinand 7, Vidic 7, Evra 6, Fletcher 6, Carrick 6, Anderson 6, Obertan 6 (Gibson 6), Berbatov 6 (Chicharito 7), *Rooney 9

Another dreaded away fixture. Manchester United have only won once in eight Premier League away fixtures this season, but Saturday’s trip to West Brom will provide yet another opportunity to improve that record. United’s poor away form hasn’t prevented them from starting the New Year atop the Premier League table though. However, if United are to claim a record 19th league title their away form will need to improve. Sir Alex Ferguson celebrates his 69th birthday the day before this game, and the least this squad can do is get him a rare three points away from home as a gift.

United have already played West Brom in Premier League this season, and on that occasion the Baggies took a point home from Old Trafford. The Premier League “new boys” are certainly not a team to be underestimated, but then again the same can be said for any team that we visit this season. If United get a win at The Hawthorns on Saturday, hopefully that will bring an end to this miserable voodoo.

While dropped points are always frustrating, it is the nature of all our away draws which is cause for concern. On more than one occasion while away from Old Trafford this season United has conceded a lead late in the game. This was the case Tuesday at St. Andrew’s when Birmingham scored in 89th minute, although there was a missed handball which resulted in the goal. Even if United were to grab an early lead on Saturday, there will be no sense of security until the final whistle is blown. It is absolutely imperative that United make the most of their chances and kill off the game early.

Long-term injury absentees Antonio Valencia and Owen Hargreaves remain unavailable, and Ji-Sung Park is away for a month on international duty in the Asian Cup. Paul Scholes was said to be sidelines until the New Year, and while Saturday would technically be the New Year it is unknown if he will be fit for West Brom. Nani was due to return from injury against Birmingham during the week, but played no part in that game. Hopefully, the Portuguese winger will be available for Saturday.

Assuming Nani is fit, I would expect him to start in this match. Darren Fletcher came on as a substitute against Birmingham, and I think he’s likely to start on Saturday. Completing my predicted midfield four is Anderson and Ryan Giggs. Despite conceding late against Birmingham, I’m anticipating an unchanged back four. Edwin van der Sar will likely remain in goal, although Anders Lindegaard will be available for a debut should Van der Sar be rested. Dimitar Berbatov is certainly the in-form striker and should start with Wayne Rooney up front.

Considering our miserable away form, I’m feeling an unwarranted sense of optimism. Sooner or later this terrible away form must come to an end, so why not against West Brom? My prediction is a 2-0 win for United. Rooney has not scored from open play since March, so perhaps it’s a bit bold to think he’ll get a brace in this one, but that’s my prediction.

For those of you who will be suffering from a New Years hangover like I inevitably will be, three points from United may be the perfect medicine.

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Follow Kyle on Twitter at KDill_MUFC

Manchester United 2-2 West Bromwich Albion

Letting two goal leads slip has been the story of the season so far for Manchester United, and it was the same old as West Brom took full advantage to get a well deserved point – worse than the result, and worse than it coming against opposition they would normally expect to roll over, was the terrifying lack of urgency that followed the 70th minute. Javier Hernandez and Nani scored United’s goals, before Somen Tchoyi took full advantage of a howler from van der Sar to equalise after Patrice Evra had diverted a free kick into his own net.

Chicharito was given the nod over Wayne Rooney, and looked lively early on. Just 5 minutes were on the clock when the diminutive Mexican lashed home the rebound after Scott Carson had parried a Nani free kick. Better was to follow – despite a scare where Rafael brilliantly cleared a certain goal off the toes of Chris Brunt – when Nani himself scored, following brilliant build up play with himself and Dimitar Berbatov. Just as well, given the Bulgarian had missed an absolute sitter minutes earlier.

Berbatov had a curling effort just wide, but it was an injury to Ryan Giggs that was to signal the beginning of the end. Giggs pulled up with a hamstring injury just before half time but, with Rooney and Paul Scholes on the bench, Sir Alex Ferguson instead opted for Darron Gibson, moving Anderson left and giving a midfield of Gibson and Carrick. The casual, lead footed pairing may have seemed less of a risk given the advantage, but thinking a result was safe was foolhardy, not least because of West Brom’s recent destruction of Arsenal, at the Emirates. On that occasion the Baggies looked vibrant and ready to pounce on any carelessness and it was commendable that after half time, Roberto Di Matteo regrouped his men and didn’t allow them to drop their heads the way they did at Stamford Bridge on the opening day.

Just after the break, Nemanja Vidic hit the post after good Nani play, but this was a false start to the second half. On the 50th minute, Evra turned a free kick from Brunt past van der Sar. If anyone illustrated the difference between the two sides, it was Chris Brunt. United had clearly lacked any penetration since the removal of Ryan Giggs, while Brunt’s precise delivery and willingness to run straight at the defenders was creating havoc.

It was the Northern Irishman whose cross was horrifically dropped by Edwin van der Sar, allowing Tchoyi to level up with an open goal on 55 minutes. Brunt himself could have completed the turnaround but his shot went wide.

A second half at Old Trafford is normally illuminated with the sight of a fast, slick counter attacking side bombarding the Stretford End, and it was so here, but it was the visitors who looked far more likely to snatch a win. The lack of penetration that the rest of the side were relying on from a 36 year old didn’t come from Nani, who has found a way to translate staggering inconsistency over games into a spell of 90 minutes. How can someone who does something as good as his second goal revert to the frustrating inconsistent, over deliberating winger whose crosses don’t clear the first man that we saw in 2009? Inspiration didn’t come from Anderson, who not for the first time in his career, found himself shifted into an unfamiliar position to cater for other players who are far less talented than himself.

It didn’t come from Carrick and Gibson – it’s been a long bugbear that Carrick fails to impose himself on big games, but when he isn’t in these games, the writing is surely on the wall. Likewise Gibson, who offered nothing when he came on, and was surely saved from being hauled off himself because of Sir Alex’s stubbornness. So it was Anderson and Carrick removed for Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney, neither of whom offered anything of note.

Scholes did at least create space but by this time the damage was done. The slow pace of United’s team was to the clear detriment of Dimitar Berbatov, who had looked lively when the Red Devils had a quick pace in the first half, and shockingly substandard when we needed something in the second. Rooney was shifted wide to allow Chicharito to continue in the middle, a move that benefitted neither, and the minutes dwindled down, with United offering nothing.

Albion posed their own threat, constantly turning the United defenders’ backs to goal, and the lack of protection offered by Gibson meant it was, at times, the proverbial knife through butter job.

There are several ways of looking at the result; a chance lost to draw ground on Chelsea, who drew at Aston Villa, or at least we didn’t fall further behind. And, West Brom have proved themselves to be decent opposition for anyone other than Chelsea. Whichever way you look at it, though, at two up, United should have been able to see the game through. That they let a two goal lead slip for the third time this season – including the throwaway at Fulham – it is clear that this is very clearly a problem now. These issues are normally cleared up with a break, but the international break came and went and United have the same old problems.

There is something wrong that needs to be addressed, and it needs to be addressed soon, or United fans are in for one hell of a tough season.

Ratings : van der Sar 4, Rafael 5, Ferdinand 5, Vidic 5, Evra 5, *Nani 6, Carrick 4 (Scholes), Anderson 6 (Rooney), Giggs 6 (Gibson 4), Berbatov 5, Hernandez 5

After four away games in a row (all competitions), United return to Old Trafford for the first time in nearly a month. West Brom are the visitors after an international break that seemed to last forever. Incredibly should West Brom win, they will go above United…let’s not even consider that…

Roberto Di Matteo makes his first trip to Old Trafford as a manager. His side have had an excellent start to the season as they sit in 6th place level on points with Arsenal and Tottenham – only goal difference keeps them out of the top four. Before the international break they were on a very tidy run of form. In their last five games in all competitions they won three and drew two. This included knocking Man City out of the Carling Cup, a respectable draw with Spurs and a stunning away win at Arsenal.

I’ve selected three players to look out for: Gabriel Tamas, Graham Dorrans and Peter Odemwingie. Tamas, a centre back, joined permanently in the summer after a positive loan spell in which he helped the club achieve promotion back to the Premier League. As a youngster he captained the Romanian Under 21 team but never truly fulfilled the potential many believed he had. He’s only 26 but West Brom is his 9th club already however his no nonsense attitude and his ability to play a ball out of defence suggest that he’s suited to English football and that he may settle here.

Graham Dorrans is a Scottish international with a growing reputation as a goal scoring midfielder. He joined from Livingston in 2008 and since then has averaged better than a goal every three games. His all round ability has seen him linked with some of the league’s elite clubs but only West Ham publicly bid for him in the summer. Speculation of a transfer ended as he signed a new long-term contract with the Baggies. He’ll try to break up United attacks and turn them into swift counter attacks – West Brom unlike some newly promoted teams actually try to play good football. Last time they were promoted this was their downfall as they didn’t have good enough players to pull it off but this time they appear to be better and stronger.

Finally, Peter Odemwingie made a surprise switch to West Brom from Lokomotiv Moscow whom he had joined for $14million in 2007. Never prolific (Dorrans has a better goals to games ratio), Odemwingie does posses pace and he excites. He has made an excellent start at West Brom with 3 goals in 5 games. The fans have taken to him after Lokomotiv fans celebrated him leaving the club with a racist banner. He will try and get behind our back four and will drift wide as he looks to expose any lack of pace in the United defence.

West Brom most recently visited Old Trafford in October 2008, when they were convincingly thumped 4-0…goals from Berbatov, Nani, Ronaldo and Rooney. Don’t necessarily expect the same kind of result or emphatic performance tomorrow, West Brom are in form and confident.

Here’s how I believe United will line up:

With Bursaspor at home on Wednesday there’s a possibility of some squad rotation but I feel that United will go into this game with a strong team. Rio and Vidic will continue together and I think they’ll be flanked by Rafael and Evra – neither of whom were involved on international duty. In the midfield, Nani will be buoyed after two strong performances for Portugal whilst Anderson’s impressive form since his return should be enough to keep him in the side. Fletcher is a machine and has to play, Scholes will be fresh from a nice break. Ryan Giggs may push for a start if he can prove his fitness.

I understand that most of the attention will be on who plays up front for United. Wayne Rooney has been the subject of the usual international break press – expect him to be recalled to the side and fully committed – this game may just suit him. Berbatov, now retired from international football will be refreshed and almost certainly will start. Should Rooney not be right to start, then Owen will probably get the nod ahead of Macheda.

A lot of the attention from Reds may well be on the bench though. Owen Hargreaves could return to Old Trafford as a match-playing player for the first time since 17th September 2008 – a 0-0 draw with Villarreal. Everyone hopes this latest comeback is for real and that somehow with lots of luck we will see some curly hair bouncing around the pitch again soon.

United have some affiliations and mutual respect for West Brom. It was from them that we signed Captain Marvel – Bryan Robson – who went on to be a legend for United. We loaned them Kieran Richardson in 2005 and he helped them to avoid relegation that year. Most poignantly, they were the opposition for the first home game after the death of George Best – the respect of the away supporters that day in celebrating and remembering a true great of the game is something that United fans are grateful for.

Share with us your thoughts ahead of this game on the WBA thread on our forum

As good as West Brom have been at the start of this season, I think United will be hungry to put some bad performances to bed. I predict a 3-0 win for the Reds.

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You may also find these links interesting:

• United lineup
• 08/09 season statistics so far

A stunning display from the injury hit champions rocked West Bromwich Albion and kept United at the top of the Premier League.

Goals from Dimitar Berbatov, Carlos Tevez, Nemanja Vidic (though this later seemed to be an own goal), then two from Cristiano Ronaldo sent out a clear message of superiority.

Albion had stated their intent to at least show adventure in the game but an end to end start was punished when Berbatov picked up a Giggs pass and exchanged the ball with the excellent Michael Carrick to slot home and complete a great move.

The home side suffered just before half time as skipper Paul Robinson was dismissed for a dangerous lunge on Ji-Sung Park. The red card may have been harsh but it was reckless claim by the Baggies’ captain and he could have no real complaints. Moments later, the Red Devils compounded the home supporters misery when Scott Carson bizarrely dropped a Ryan Giggs freekick, perhaps looking for a free kick when challenged by his own defender, and the impressive Carlos Tevez tapped in.

In the second half United really rammed home the advantage and scored when the outstanding Giggs’ set piece was met by Vidic, though replays suggested a home defender may have had the crucial touch in scoring the third United goal.

Better was to follow from United and the mercurial Giggs as the Welshman found space and exquisitely pulled back for Ronaldo to end a personal hell and score a league goal. The scoring was completed a few minutes later when Berbatov played Ronaldo through to finish between Carson‘s legs.

As the match entered its final minutes United claimed another milestone – a Premier League record without conceding a league goal – and with the re-inforcement of the returning Wes Brown and Rio Ferdinand, the record stands a good chance of extending itself even considering the visit of in form Everton on Saturday.

Source:(Yolkie)