Manchester United are back in Premier League action this afternoon as they travel to West Bromwich Albion.
United take on West Brom at the Hawthorns (2pm kick-off UK time) looking to jump back into second place in the league table and narrow the gap to leaders Manchester City to five points.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will still be without the injured Paul Pogba for the game, though Eric Bailly has been back in training and could return to the defence. Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay could return to the starting XI, having started the FA Cup win over West Ham in midweek on the bench. New signing Amad may make an appearance on the bench.
West Brom have struggled this season and United will be big favourites to pick up a morale-boosting three points this afternoon against Sam Allardyce’s team.
Strong team expected today
Solskjaer confirmed this week that he would be making changes for the Europa League this season and with the first leg of the last-32 tie against Real Sociedad on Thursday it suggests we can expect a strong team against West Brom today and Newcastle next weekend. That makes sense with United still theoretically in a title race, although just about everyone has accepted Manchester City aren’t for catching.
Still, second would be a fine achievement and that is clearly within United’s grasp this season, so going strong in the league and making changes in Europe is probably a sensible approach.
Match facts
These come courtesy of our friends at Opta:
- United are currently unbeaten in 18 league away matches (W13, D5). They are the only side not to have lost a Premier League away game this season.
- United have won seven Premier League games from a losing position this season — all of them coming in away matches.
- Six of Marcus Rashford’s eight Premier League goals this season have come away from home — he also has contributed five assists on the road.
- Bruno Fernandes, who has 13 goals and nine assists in the top flight this season, could become just the fourth ever United player to reach double figures for both in a Premier League campaign.
- West Brom have lost nine of their 12 Premier League home matches against United.
How United could line up
United are currently unbeaten in 18 Premier League away games (W13 D5), their longest such run on the road in top-flight history.
West Brom head into the match deep in the relegation zone, but United can’t take anything for granted following their shock defeat to lowly Sheffield United late last month.
In terms of early team news Paul Pogba remains a long-term injury doubt while Amad could make his long awaited debut for the first-team.
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