Friday 6 November 2015

Match preview: United v West Brom

United manager Louis van Gaal has no fresh injuries to contend with as his side prepare to welcome a West Brom side with three former Reds in their ranks.

Jonny Evans and Anders Lindegaard make their first Old Trafford returns, and former United stalwart Darren Fletcher will lead out the Baggies as skipper for Tony Pulis' side, seeking a third successive Old Trafford win. 

Van Gaal is expecting another difficult test for United against a side that took four points off us last season including a 1-0 victory in May.

For us, Matteo Darmian is suspended and Antonio Valencia injured (meaning Ashley Young will likely again start at right-back) whilst Luke Shaw and Paddy McNair are also out whilst Morgan Schneiderlin, despite taking part training on Friday, is doubtful with illness. 

You know what you're going to get with a Pulis team- a well-drilled, solid and effective outfit with a high work rate that don't concede many goals (much like us recently) so, much like Tuesday night's CSKA match, this may be another exercise in patience for United.

 van Gaal said:

"To make the decision to go from United to another club is a big one, but they have made it out of ambition and that I like, so I have a lot of respect for players that can do this.
"West Bromwich Albion shall be a difficult opponent because I remember from last season their defensive organisation is very strong and I think they shall play like Moscow did and make it hard for us to attack.
"I like the spirit they have in their team and we saw that they can defend well so I think it shall not be easy but you know that in advance and so we can deal with it."


Albion defender Evans made the switch to the Hawthorns in the summer having come up through the ranks, making 198 Reds appearances and winning five major honours in the process.

'Fletch' joined the Baggies in February after 12 trophy-laden years at United whilst Dnaish stopper Anders Lindegaard is yet to feature for WBA but also won silverware with the Reds in a five-year spell at OT.

Form guide: United W D D D D W West Brom L L L W W L
Match odds: 11/4 Draw 18/5 West Brom 21/2

Referee: Mike Dean 








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