NO REIGN OF ERROR
It’s not over
them run away with it – we’re playing them soon. We’re not giving it away early, no we’re not.
“We are not going to settle for second. It’s so unpredictable, anything can happen.”
Maguire claimed VAR is going against United, who have taken six points from a possible 15.
The skipper thought he’d won a penalty but referee Craig Pawson reversed his decision after VAR told him to review the monitor.
Maguire fumed: “We were so certain it was a penalty. I’m not sure why they needed to send him to a monitor.
“The clip was minimal but it was a penalty. It seems like the decisions are going against us.”
Baggies boss Sam Allardyce was pleased with the performance.
“We had enough chances to make it three points. The sad thing is for me is Mbaye Diagne could have had a hat-trick,” he said.
“That would have been a great thing for him. I’m pleased overall – they didn’t let their heads down when United scored with their only shot on target in the first half.”
IT’S incredible to think that Manchester United were top of the table just 19 days ago.
Now, after yet another huge setback at lowly West Brom, United’s title challenge looks all but over.
They are seven points behind leaders Manchester City having played a game more.
Sadly for Old Trafford boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, his team’s ability to make fundamental mistakes together with basic defensive errors shows why they are still some way from being able to sustain a title challenge until the end.
They have taken just 10 points from their last seven matches – and three of those games have been against teams in the bottom three.
United lost at home to Sheffield United, held here by the Baggies – but did at least win at Fulham.
Even in the most unpredictable of seasons that sort of form will never be
WEST BROM MAN UNITED 1 1
good enough to win the title. Not with City in the ruthless mood they are in.
Even Bruno Fernandes scoring another peach was not enough, because their remarkable run of away results was always going to run out some time.
West Brom went ahead inside two minutes when Mbaye Diagne clambered all over Victor Lindelof to head home.
The United centre-half was still not very convincing in a defence that continues to be the team’s Achilles heel.
Why Lindelof gets picked ahead of Eric Bailly is anyone’s guess when the latter has been fit and available for a while and was back on the bench.
But that does not normally worry
Defensive flaw show just about kills Ole title bid
United as in each of the previous seven away league games when they have gone behind, they have come back to win.
However, United could easily have conceded again as Diagne had two great late gift-wrapped chances even before Harry Maguire saw a last-gasp header brilliantly kept out by West Brom’s former United keeper Sam Johnstone.
The visitors can point to hard luck stories over the first goal or Maguire’s late effort, but that does not tell the story about the failings of Solskjaer’s players.
United need strengthening, particularly in defence. Every time a ball is swung into the box, it creates panic – just like it did for West Brom’s opener. Conor Gallagher crossed, Lindelof did not deal with the danger and, while Diagne climbed over him, the striker had to make a challenge and ended up heading past David de Gea.
United applied plenty of pressure but did not level until the 45th minute. Luke Shaw crossed and Fernandes hooked a spectacular shot into the top corner.
But not even the midfield maestro can win every game for United.
There was controversy in the 64th minute when referee Craig Pawson awarded United a penalty after Semi Ajayi appeared to pull back Maguire – then changed his mind after checking the VAR screen. But there was late drama. Mason Greenwood was denied by Johnstone and Scott Mctominay had a shot cleared off the line by Darnell Furlong.
Then Diagne bundled Maguire off the ball, went clean through but his shot and rebound was saved by De Gea.
Furlong’s low cross then picked out Diagne in the box but the West Brom striker scooped the ball over the bar.
Deep into what used to be known as Fergie time – the 95th minute – Shaw crossed and Maguire’s header was goalbound only for Johnstone to brilliantly push the ball on to a post.
Anthony Martial, substituted after 66 minutes, was again subjected to vile abuse on Instagram after the game.
A number of users posted racist messages and symbols with others using offensive racist language. It is the second time in three weeks that the striker has suffered on Instagram after a match.
SECOND THOUGHTS: Referee Pawson sees enough to change his mind