RESULT! HETHO
This was number eight in the Premier League this season and is one of the reasons that a top-four finish – and Champions League qualification – looks unlikely. Despite going half a season unbeaten in the league – it is now 19 games – United are still relying on winning the Europa League to reach their Champions League goal. They were without six senior players yesterday – the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ander Herrera and the injured Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones. All that was a factor in this match against a West Brom side in which United old boys Ben Foster and Jonny Evans were outstanding. Baggies boss Tony Pulis said: “Ben, Jonny and Darren Fletcher – all former United players – set the right example to the rest of the group. They are great characters. We were really resilient and well set up.
“It was a similar performance to our win against Arsenal – but on that occasion we scored three goals.
“Today we kept giving the ball back to United and we have to do better in that respect.
“What you have to be when you come here is well-organised – but you also need a bit of luck.”
This was United’s last Saturday match at Old Trafford this season and they dominated possession from the start. The lively Jesse Lingard shot over right-footed from a promising position.
Then the England winger sent Anthony Martial clear on the left but his right-foot effort was deflected for a corner.
The same United players combined again, with Lingard crossing from the right for Martial – after climbing well – to head down and wide at the far post.
As ever, though, Pulis had his defence – often massed – organised.
And that led to Old Trafford frustration as United struggled to find a way through.
Jose Mourinho’s men were upset by an alleged elbow in the face of Martial by Craig Dawson. Skipper Michael Carrick had plenty
to say about it to