West Bromwich Albion were Manchester United's opponents in their sixth game of the season, a home tie for the red devils that was the first meeting between the two since the final game of last season at The Hawthorns, a bizarre 5-5 draw in Sir Alex Ferguson's farewell match as manager.
After knocking Liverpool out in the Capital One Cup in mid-week, United were hoping to take some winning momentum into their next game and get back to winning ways in the Premier League after last weekend's disappointing derby defeat. West Brom gave Arsenal a scare in their Capital One Cup game, taking the tie to a penalties decider that Arsenal just edged. The Baggies were hoping to go one step further in this game and earn themselves a first win against United in almost thirty years.
The United line up handed Jones, Evans, Buttner, Nani, Kagawa and Hernandez their first Premier League starts of the season after they all started in the win against Liverpool. United's best chance of the early period came down the right as three of these players were involved. Nani and Kagawa linked up inside 4 minutes before a one-two with the Portuguese winger saw Jones spin a cross into the box that drifted harmlessly out of play after nobody in a red shirt could get a touch on it.
The game came to life around the 15 minute mark with West Brom going close after Sessegnon's pace caused problems for United down the right as he squeezed between Kagawa and Rooney with a dangerous run into the box. The Beninese player then hit the ball into the United defence and saw it scrambled away unconvincingly by Ferdinand and Carrick into the path of Rooney who cleverly lifted the ball out of danger and into the path of Nani on the right wing. Nani frustrated United fans with his lack of end product as he burst into the Baggies' half with pace and beat two players before his shot was easily blocked and cleared.
West Brom had a great chance to take the lead 30 minutes in when Sessegnon was involved again. He headed wide after a lovely cross from Amalfitano on the left found him between Evans and Ferdinand in the area. Two minutes later United had a headed chance themselves, Rooney given the opportunity from a curled cross in from the right from Nani after good work from Kagawa in midfield. United's number 10 couldn't keep his header down and it flew over the bar.
United started to gain momentum and went even closer moments later with Kagawa's cross allowing Anderson a header that crashed against the crossbar. The linesman ruled it offside anyway but replays showed he was well onside and had he scored United would have had plenty to say about the decision. However, it was West Brom who ended the half strongly with Sessegnon blasting over after a flick on from a corner found him in space to the left of the goal.
Sessegnon showcased more attacking flair after the break with a darting run from his own half that exploited the holes in the United defence and left Buttner behind far too easily. He then slid the ball through to substitute Berahino, on for the injured Scott Sinclair in the first half. The England Under-21 player's low shot from the left forced a save from De Gea, the Spaniard putting the ball out of play for a corner with his feet.
Inside 53 minutes West Brom deservedly took the lead. United's half time substitute Januzaj's through ball to Buttner was intercepted by Jones, which left United's left back way up the field as the Baggies broke with pace. Morgan Amalfitano took the ball from his own half and ran all the way into the United box. Poor positional play allowed the Frenchman to get one-on-one with the goalkeeper with ease as United's line of defence was non existent. The Marseille loanee first nutmegged Ferdinand and then fooled De Gea with a stutter before chipping it into the net with an assured and composed finish.
Inside 53 minutes West Brom deservedly took the lead. United's half time substitute Januzaj's through ball to Buttner was intercepted by Jones, which left United's left back way up the field as the Baggies broke with pace. Morgan Amalfitano took the ball from his own half and ran all the way into the United box. Poor positional play allowed the Frenchman to get one-on-one with the goalkeeper with ease as United's line of defence was non existent. The Marseille loanee first nutmegged Ferdinand and then fooled De Gea with a stutter before chipping it into the net with an assured and composed finish.
It didn't take long for a United response as the stand-in captain Wayne Rooney led by example and equalised less than 4 minutes later with yet another free kick after Buttner was fouled by Jones. The striker's direct hit missed everybody and bounced in front of Myhill before finding its way into the net.
West Brom pressed for another goal rather than holding on for the draw and went close on 50 minutes after Rooney got back well to save his defence and clear the ball for a corner. Amalfitano drifted the ball in for their towering centre-back Olsson who headed the ball into the ground and saw his effort hit the frame of the goal.
West Brom pressed for another goal rather than holding on for the draw and went close on 50 minutes after Rooney got back well to save his defence and clear the ball for a corner. Amalfitano drifted the ball in for their towering centre-back Olsson who headed the ball into the ground and saw his effort hit the frame of the goal.
Amalfitano then went close with a free-kick on 65 minutes after yet another Sessegnon direct run caused problems for United's defence. De Gea stopped the Frenchman's curling effort with an athletic finger-tip save. It was no surprise when West Brom's pressure finally warranted a goal, Sessegnon finding Amalfitano in the box who laid the ball off to Berahino. He took his shot first time from the edge of the area and saw it nestle in the back of the net to give the 20 year old his 5th goal in 6 games for the Baggies.
United's own talented youngster Adnan Januzaj seemed the only player likely to get United back on terms, forcing a save from Myhill near the end after he beat Ridgewell with a good run down the right. Minutes later United thought they had the equaliser, Nani crossed the ball for Fellaini to tap in after good work from Van Persie but the Belgian midfielder was rightly adjudged offside.
United could have equalised at the death after Carrick saw his shot well saved and Januzaj shot wide but it wasn't enough and the whistle went to condemn United to their third defeat of the season after only six games. It was deserved after West Brom caused countless problems and highlighted United's ineptitude defensively.
It was a shock defeat for David Moyes and his players who were expected to go on a winning run after their defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City. No doubt United fans will be hoping they can find some form in their next league game away at manager-less Sunderland who lie bottom of the table with one point from their first six games. Although this is the worst start for United in 24 years they will take solace from the fact that there are still 32 games to go in a season where their rivals are also dropping points unexpectedly with Manchester City also losing to Aston Villa at the weekend. However, there is no doubt that this is proving to be a difficult season for the reds as they face the transitional period without Sir Alex Ferguson's winning aura and leadership.
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