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Manchester United play host to West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon hoping to avoid equalling an unwanted club record. The Red Devils have only previously failed to find the net in three successive top-flight games on three occasions before, but another shutout against the Baggies will match that rare feat.
Louis van Gaal's side have scored just one goal in their previous four games, however, sit in fourth place in the Premier League, four points off joint leaders Manchester City and Arsenal. West Brom, who won this fixture 1-0 last season in May, sit in 12th place under Tony Pulis, and could go as high as eighth with a victory.
Manchester United, however, will also be looking for a fifth straight clean sheet in all competitions.
So what do fans need to know about United's game with The Baggies on Saturday? Read on to find out.
Kick Off and Live Telecast
Channel: StarSports 4, StarSports HD4.
Live Stream: starsports.com
Date and Time: Saturday, 7th November 2015 – 2030 IST (1600 BST)
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester.
Team News
Manchester United
Midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has returned to training following his illness but is still a doubt for Manchester United's home game against West Brom. United are still without Antonio Valencia and long-term absentee Luke Shaw. United, however, are without full-back Matteo Darmian, who will also sit this one out after accumulating five yellow cards.
Van Gaal made clear in his pre-match press conference that he is not expecting too many changes, despite the quick turnaround in games, but he may tweak his formation slightly to get the best out of Anthony Martial in a central attacking position.
West Bromwich Albion
On the other hand, in terms of the visitors, Pulis revealed that he still has "one or two doubts" heading into Saturday's clash, though he refused to go into any further detail. James Morrison is among those in contention to start, having returned from injury in the defeat to Leicester, and there could also be a welcome Old Trafford return for Jonny Evans and Darren Fletcher.
They will also hope to have left-back Chris Brunt available for the trip to Old Trafford after a recent knock, however, first-choice goalkeeper Ben Foster is still missing after damaging his anterior cruciate ligament against Stoke in March.
Form
Manchester United
We are now a third of the way through the season, but it is still near impossible to gauge just how happy United supporters are at this moment in time. A Champions League win over CSKA Moscow in midweek helped propel the Red Devils to top spot in Group B, albeit by the slenderest of winning margins while just four points stands between themselves and the Premier League summit.
In many ways, though, it is the bland style of play that is worrying the fanbase, leading to more than the odd murmur of discontent in recent weeks with repeated chants of "Attack! Attack! Attack!" from the Stretford End. Louis van Gaal certainly has his work cut out, knowing that not only does he need to provide positive results - something lacking of late domestically speaking - but also turn on the style of play to provide more goals and entertainment.
Van Gaal, who has urged supporters to remain behind each player this weekend, also hinted in his pre-match press conference that England international Rooney will remain up top for the visit of West Brom. That perhaps would not be such a bad choice, with Rooney scoring seven and assisting four more in his last seven league starts against the Baggies.
It is up the other end where United have looked particularly strong to date, though, keeping a league-high seven clean sheets, including four in the last five, but a failure to score in three of their last four has ensured that the same questions are continually being asked.
Last 5 games: D-D-L-D-W (Most Recent: Manchester United 1-0 CSKA Moscow)
West Bromwich Albion
While results have gone from one extreme to another for West Brom of late, their away form - among the best in the division - has looked a little more solid. The Baggies have won five and lost just two of their last nine Premier League away games stretching into last season while only one side - Crystal Palace - has managed to breach their net away from home this term.
That run of indifferent overall form has ultimately left Albion sitting in mid-table, exactly seven points between the drop zone and a place alongside Man United in fourth. Ten goals from their opening 11 matches is only marginally better than Stoke's 0.82 goals-per-game ratio, and certainly something that is holding the West Midlands outfit back in their pursuit to break into the top half.
West Brom are also one of only four teams yet to have scored in the opening 15 minutes of a top-flight game, although they come up against a United side who have hardly seen the goals flow in at home this season, with just seven in all - the same number as the Baggies. Tony Pulis has perhaps been a little distracted by events that have been developing off the field this week, following the Football Association's decision to fine him £8,000 for his recent misconduct.
The Welshman, it is fair to say, was left extremely unhappy by the refereeing display on show during his side's 3-2 loss at home to Leicester City last time out, and has now called for the governing body to be more open when it comes to dealing with fines.
Last 5 games: L-L-W-W-L (Most Recent: West Bromwich Albion 2-3 Leicester City)
Key Stats
- West Brom have taken off 10 points from United in their last five Premier League meetings out of a possible 15.
- The Baggies have won their last two away games against United and clearly relish the opportunity to frustrate the home side.
- Wayne Rooney has scored seven goals and assisted four more in his last seven Premier League starts against West Bromwich Albion.
- West Brom have lost just one of their last five Premier League games against United (W2 D2 L1), and those two victories have come in their last two trips to Old Trafford.
- United have lost just one of their last 13 Premier League games at Old Trafford (W9 D3 L1), but that defeat was against West Brom.
- The Baggies have won five and lost just two of their last nine Premier League games on the road.
- Only one team has managed to score against West Brom in the Baggies' five Premier League away trips this season (Crystal Palace).
Probable line-ups
Manchester United (4-2-3-1):
De Gea, Young, Smalling, Jones, Rojo; Schweinsteiger, Carrick; Mata, Rooney, Lingard; Martial.
West Bromwich Albion (4-2-3-1):
Myhill, Dawson, McCauley, Evans, Brunt; McManaman, Fletcher, Yacob, McClean; Rondon, Berahino.
Key Battles
Wayne Rooney v Claudio Yacob/ Johnny Evans
Wayne Rooney got back into the scheme of things with a very important goal for himself as well as for United on Tuesday night. The captain fitted into the number 10 role with ease as Anthony Martial played upfront. Rooney was on the money right from the start of the game and had his first shot of the game as early as the 3rd minute. Rooney was involved in the game throughout the 90 minutes and seemed to have found his range of passing again.
He had three shots in the game, created two chances and scored the all important winner. Rooney is an important player in van Gaal’s squad and is unlikely to be replaced anytime soon. As such, playing him in the number 10 position is likely to pay maximum dividends for United, just as it did on Tuesday. As mentioned earlier, Van Gaal might retain the same system on Saturday, which will mean that one of Albion’s defensive midfielders will have to keep a close eye on Rooney.
Rooney loves to drop into the spaces between the defenders and Yacob will need to stay close to him to deny him the freedom to express himself. While James Morrison will be tasked with taking charge of the creativity, it will be Yacob’s job to sit back and break up United’s play as much as possible.
Ashley Young v James McClean
Matteo Darmian will be suspended for the game, which will mean that Ashley Young will play in his position. The Italian picked up his fifth yellow card of the season as he struggled to keep up with Wilfried Zaha in the game against Crystal Palace. He was replaced by Ashley Young midway through the second half.
Young successfully managed to keep the lid on Zaha and continued to impress in the midweek Champions League clash against CSKA. Primarily a winger, his attacking instincts ensured that United carried a threat down the right flank. Defensively too, he has been outstanding in his positioning and interceptions. He made two interceptions and four clearances against Crystal Palace and followed it up with another two interceptions and two clearances against CSKA.
He also created a couple of wonderful chances from the right-hand side against CSKA. In the absence of Darmian and the injured Antonio Valencia, Young may again be called upon to fill in at right back. James McClean has been primarily playing for the Baggies from the left. He has provided 24 crosses and created four chances in the last three games and also assisted the only goal of the game against Norwich City from the left flank.
This will be an interesting encounter on one side of the pitch – McClean will have to do his defensive duties and not allow the space or freedom to Young on United’s right flank. Similarly, Young will have to keep close to McClean and prevent him from crossing the ball into the box.
Prediction
Manchester United 2-0 West Bromwich Albion
The goals may have dried up for United and the natives may be growing restless. But a couple of wins on the bounce will certainly change the mood around the Theatre of Dreams, however, and they will return to winning ways this weekend by seeing off the Baggies in a fairly straightforward manner. United will need to score early on to maintain the rhythm and keep their visitors at bay. West Brom may have been solid, but United can find two goals if they take their chances.
Betting odds (SkyBet)
Manchester United to win: 30/100
West Bromwich Albion to win: 11/1
Draw: 15/4
