Manchester United’s unbeaten run stretched to 10 games in all competitions, as they saw off West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns in Saturday’s late Premier League clash. Jose Mourinho’s side went ahead in the 6th minute through Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Jesse Lingard’s cross.
West Bromwich Albion struggled to break down an organised United defence and had their work cut out when Ibrahimovic doubled his and the team’s tally early in the second half after his shot was deflected in off Craig Dawson. Though the Baggies threatened to stage a fightback in the latter stages of the game, United expertly slowed down the pace and saw off the game to win their third successive league game and keep in touch with the top four.
We discuss the various talking points that shaped events at the Hawthorns:
#1 Three-man midfield suits Manchester United best
The game saw United operate in a 4-3-3 formation, with Michael Carrick sitting in defensive midfield, with Paul Pogba on the left and Ander Herrera on the right – a formation that has been used by the Manchester United manager lately. The system appeared to work perfectly for Jose Mourinho’s side, with the insurance of Carrick allowing his colleagues in midfield to press higher up the pitch.
While Pogba played in his favourite free role – dictating the play from the back and driving his side forward with some delightful passes – Herrera was electric in the attacking third, releasing Jesse Lingard and Antonio Valencia on the right wing and also playing the ball square across the breadth of the pitch to keep the Albion defence guessing. They always looked like they had a spare man at the heart of the pitch against Tony Pulis’ side, who found it difficult for large parts of the game to find spaces to attack through the middle.
The pace with which United were able to move the ball around with the extra man in midfield made it nearly impossible for the Baggies to assume control of the game for any spell of time.
#2 West Bromwich Albion’s major threat comes from the wings
The Baggies were clearly outnumbered in midfield for the majority of the game at the Hawthorns, which meant that the only way they could force their way back into the game was by attacking from the wide areas. Matt Phillips has been in terrific form this season and it was no surprise to see that nearly all of West Brom’s key chances were created when he was able to find some rare space on the flank.
With striker Solomon Rondon – who scored a hat-trick of headers in the midweek victory over Swansea – bereft of service through the middle, planting in crosses from the wide areas was possibly the only way the Venezuelan No. 9 could get himself involved in the game. Tony Pulis’ side’s best opportunity came late in the first half, when Phillips outpaced Valencia and delivered a teasing cross which was met by the head of Rondon, only to see the ball travel the wrong side of the far post.
Chris Brunt also got a strong shot away with his left foot after cutting in from the right side, but it was straight at David de Gea. They managed to get the ball into the box more frequently after going 2-0 down, but the centre-half pairing of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo continued their good run of form by dealing with each cross with fair conviction.
#3 Jesse Lingard’s pace makes the difference
There were many elements about United’s display to admire, but one individual who stood out for the visitors was Jesse Lingard. His pace and awareness to make runs off the ball was invaluable to help United stretch a usually solid Baggies’ defence.
Left-back Allan Nyom had a torrid evening trying to keep up with Lingard, especially in the build-up to the first goal, where Lingard easily outsprinted him and was given the luxury of space to deliver the perfect ball for Ibrahimovic to attack. He missed a wonderful opportunity to score himself, skipping past an Albion defender, after Matteo Darmian sliced his shot, to sky his shot with only goalkeeper Ben Foster to beat.
However, his intensity-filled runs down either channel and energy on the ball warrants a lot of praise from his manager.
#4 Zlatan Ibrahimovic still proving his worth at 35
When Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced that he was joining Manchester United in the summer, many suspected that his age and supposedly injury-prone body would succumb to the demands of competing in the Premier League. Five months on and the Swedish star has showed that he has a lot to offer even at 35.
16 goals in all competitions at Christmas is nothing short of a fantastic return for a player whom United signed for exactly nothing after Paris St. Germain released him at the completion of his contract last season. A brace at the Hawthorns, including the strength and pace to waltz in between two defenders before scoring a deflected goal, showed that he is capable of performing at the highest level even in the toughest league in the world.
His tendency to drop deep to help his side retain possession adds another dimension to his game apart from goals. He definitely remains an important figure in United’s season as they approach the New Year. His next challenge will be to continue his goal-scoring run during a busy festive period.
#5 West Bromwich Albion have the potential to finish the season strongly
Though they may not have found the back of the net on Saturday, there were quite a few positives for West Bromwich Albion to take away. The damage they are capable of causing from the wings through Matt Phillips and Chris Brunt was evident, as they managed to test the United defence on that front by putting in dangerous looking crosses which had to be stopped from meeting the head of Solomon Rondon.
James Morrison’s introduction in the 75th minute in place of Craig Dawson gave Matteo Darmian some extra defending to do as the hosts made a last-ditch attempt to make a comeback. Tony Pulis’ sides have always been known for being solid at the back, and the veteran duo of Jonas Olsson and Gareth McAuley – who have a combined age of 70 – must receive a lot of credit for maintaining their fitness levels to pose as a reliable foundation from the back.
With skipper Darren Fletcher pulling the strings in midfield and the likes of Nacer Chadli providing the creativity from a number 10 position, the Baggies’ recent run of good form is no surprise. Can they keep the momentum going and better their highest league finish of 8th they achieved in the 2012-13 campaign?
