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Here are today’s teams…
We’re underway…
With less than a minute gone, James McClean has already clattered into Daley Blind.
It may be early in the game, but the Irish international is still fortunate to escape a booking.
Unsurprisingly, West Brom have started this game in a fairly cagey fashion.
United have failed to score in their last two league games, and it looks as if they’ll have to work hard to break down the Baggies today.
This could be another testing 90 minutes for Man United fans’ patience.
Wayne Rooney has just blazed a shot well over, with the Red Devils yet to create a proper chance.
This won’t make Man United fans feel any better right now.
That’s United’s best chance so far!
Rooney lays it off to Mata just inside the box, and the Spanish international’s curling effort goes narrowly to the wrong side of the post.
It’s hit a bit of a lull at Old Trafford in recent minutes.
Still no sign of a Man United breakthrough, with too many risk-free sideways passes.
Decent play from Lingard, who evades his marker and gets a cross in.
However, Yacob is well positioned to clear the youngster’s cross.
Better from United.
Mata puts in a dangerous cross, and Dawson just gets there ahead of the lurking Lingard.
Mata feeds Rooney, but McAuley gets a good block on the England international’s shot.
United have definitely upped the intensity in their attack play in recent minutes.
Man United have had 76% possession so far — that gives a decent insight into their dominance.
Aside from kick-outs, David De Gea has been a bystander so far.
Mata and Lingard have switched wings as Van Gaal searches for a solution to United’s recurring problems in attack.
It’s gone very flat at Old Trafford, though faint chants of “attack, attack, attack” can be heard.
Superb goal-saving tackle from ex-United defender Jonny Evans to stop Lingard shooting.
West Brom were fortunate there, after conceding possession very cheaply in their final third.
Dawson has just been penalised for a cynical tug back on Lingard.
From the ensuing free kick, Martial escapes the defender, but his shot is straight at Myhill.
HALF-TIME: MAN UNITED 0-0 WEST BROM
West Brom had a rare chance to steal a goal with the last kick of the half, but Brunt’s free kick was deflected wide.
So half-time and there is a sense of deja vu at Old Trafford.
As has been the case for much of this season, Man United have looked solid in defence and controlled the game with an overwhelming majority of possession.
Nevertheless, they have lacked a killer touch in attack and West Brom looked relatively comfortable at times during that first half.
The second half is underway…
It’s interesting too that despite the many millions spent, in that first half, United’s brightest attacking spark was probably Jesse Lingard — the 22-year-old youth academy product.
Brunt has just put a pass straight out of play.
For all their impressive defensive discipline, West Brom have been as bad with the ball as the stats suggest.
MAN UNITED 1-0 WEST BROM (LINGARD 52)
Finally, we have a breakthrough, from the youngster who has been United’s best player today.
A cross is only half cleared, and Lingard curls it beautifully into the corner of the net from the edge of the box.
It’s hard to see where West Brom will go from here.
They’ve spent the game chasing United, and even since the goal, the Red Devils have dominated possession.
Interesting substitution coming up from Man United. Jones is set to replace Ashley Young — not exactly a positive move.
Meanwhile, Rojo has just been booked for a late challenge on Sessegnon.
Another bad challenge — this time from Chris Brunt on Juan Mata — results in a booking.
With 25 minutes to play, this game is far from over, though West Brom continue to show little in the way of attacking ambition.
There is a bit more of a swagger about United’s passing now that they’ve got the goal. However, clear-cut chances remain few and far between.
West Brom, however, are about to bring on Berahino and Rickie Lambert.
Fletcher gets a chance against his former club. The midfielder’s header from a free kick goes narrowly wide.
A set piece is looking like the Baggies’ best chance to score today.
Great chance from Berahino! Dawson sweeps in a beautiful cross, and the striker fails to connect properly with the header from close range.
Suddenly, West Brom have come to life.
It’s a bold substitution from Van Gaal.
18-year-old defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackson replaces Marcos Rojo, with the teenager making his Premier League debut in the process.
Marcos Rojo did not look too happy to be replaced there.
For an experienced international to be replaced by an untested teenager is verging on insulting.
Lingard goes down in the box after an excellent counter-attacking move, but the referee does not act.
Shortly thereafter, Wayne Rooney, who again has been quiet today, is replaced by Ander Herrerra.
Callum McManaman is about to come on in place of Brunt for the Baggies’ final sub.
Just under 10 minutes remain.
West Brom make a mess of a clearance, but Mata fires the ensuing chance well over from the edge of the box.
This looks like being another solid yet unspectacular win for United.
PENALTY TO UNITED!
MAN UNITED 2-0 WEST BROM (MATA 90)
Mata slots home a penalty to confirm United’s victory.
Meanwhile, McAuley was rightly sent off after taking down Martial in the box, after the youngster had accelerated away from his marker.
Incredibly, it’s the first time in six games that Man United have scored more than one goal.
Nevertheless, the only statistic that counts is the one that says they currently sit fourth in the Premier League, just a point off leaders City as it stands.
FULL-TIME: MAN UNITED 2-0 WEST BROM
So another win from United puts them in a decent position going into the international break.
They found it tough at times against a workmanlike West Brom side, but ultimately, the class in particular of youngsters Lingard and Martial saw them claim three points against limited opposition.
It was less than thrilling at times, but as long as Van Gaal’s teams keep winning, few can complain.
Right, that’s all from me for now.
Thanks for reading and commenting, and look out for more reaction shortly.
