Manchester United head to the Hawthorns to take on West Brom on Sunday, 1400 (GMT). The dropped points last matchday against Everton means only three points will do as United look to keep up the pace with league leaders Manchester City, who are currently five points clear of United at the top of the league. United have only one win in their last four premier league matches. On Friday Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke with the press about the importance of the game, “You take one off and its less and less possibility to catch up points on the teams in front of you and that’s what we want to do. Sundays a big one for us in that respect to get back on winning ways.”
On Saturday, Liverpool take on Leicester at the King Power and City host Spurs, City could have an eight point gap on United after Saturday. Leicester could jump the Red Devils if they get all three points against Liverpool. If City drops points United could close the gap on Sunday to either two or three points. City’s next five league games are: Spurs, Everton, Arsenal, West Ham, and United.
Team News
United will be without World Cup winner Paul Pogba for the next few weeks after picking up an injury last weekend. Eric Bailly might feature after returning to training this week. “We’ve had a rare opportunity to do a little bit of training and actually some recovery because you’ve got Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and not a game until Sunday, so that’s been a rarity for us really,” said Solskjaer while addressing the media. Youth may feature in this game, Amad Diallo was on the bench for United against West Ham in
the FA Cup. Could this also be a game for Donny van de Beek? The disappointing Dutchman may get an opportunity with Pogba out, but it is likely that Solskjaer will use the combination of Fred and McTominay in the middle. Maybe a cameo for the Dutchman.
The Opposition
West Brom currently sit at 19th in the table and do not look like they are going to survive. A result against United could boost survival spirts at the Hawthorns.
Manager Sam Allardyce has yet to fix a league’s worst defence that has surrendered a dismal 54 goals this season. The Baggies have given up at least two goals in their last eight league matches. West Brom winger Grady Diangana has been ruled out for the match on Sunday. The play making duties will fall on the shoulders of Matteus Pereira, the Brazilian has five goals and three assists the season and always looks a threat going forward. Mbaye Diagne looks likely to the lead the line, the recent signing has yet to score a goal since signing, only providing an assist.
Prediction
Must win for United, they must get the three points. The Baggies have not found that defensive resurgence one is accustomed to with the appointment of Sam Allardyce.
West Brom 1, United 4
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