Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United are on the verge of the top four after moving level on points with Tottenham to sit just three points behind fourth-placed Manchester City following the 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion, with striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring both goals in a fiery affair at The Hawthorns. Re-live the action here.
- Manchester United beat West Brom 2-0
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic opens the socring with a close-range header inside five minutes
- Swedish striker doubles the lead after the break with a deflected effort
- Win puts United level on points with fifth-placed Spurs
- West Brom remain seventh but seven points behind United
Follow live coverage on our blog below...
Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.
It’s a big game for...
Juan Mata: The midfielder returned to the side in Mkhitaryan’s absence for the 2-1 victory over Palace, but was replaced after 70 minutes by Jesse Lingard. If Mata is given another chance to make the wide-right berth his own today, he needs to show Mourinho why he’s capable of challenging Mkhitaryan for the position when he returns from injury next week.
He was also sent-off in this fixture last year and will want to ensure it doesn’t remain an unhappy hunting ground.
Best stat...
40: The surprising number of time West Brom have actually beaten United in the league out of their 120 meetings. United hold the better record, but they have not been as dominant in this fixture as you might have thought, with the Red Devils holding 52 victories over the Baggies with 28 draws.
Player to look out for...
Salomon Rondon: The Venezuelan striker has found his form at West Brom this season and notched a superb 13-minute headed-hat-trick in Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over Swansea. He also scored against United last season in West Brom’s surprise victory over Louis van Gaal’s side, and he has the physicality to cause the likes of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo problems at the back.
Likely teams...
West Brom: Foster; Nyom, Olsson, McAuley, Dawson; Morrison, Phillips, Brunt, Chadli, Fletcher; Rondon.
Manchester United: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Rojo, Blind; Carrick, Herrera; Mata, Pogba, Rooney; Ibrahimovic.
Past three meetings...
West Brom 1 (Rondon) Manchester United 0, Premier League, March 2016
Manchester United 2 (Lingard, Mata), West Brom 0, Premier League, November 2015
Manchester United 0 West Brom 1 (Olsson), Premier League, May 2015
Form...
West Brom: WWDWLW
Manchester United: DWDWWW
Odds:
West Brom to win: 24/5
Manchester United to win: 69/100
Draw: 14/5
(Odds provided by 888Sport)
Where can I watch it...
West Brom vs Manchester United kicks off at 17:30 GMT. The match will be shown live on BT Sport 1 from 17:00. Highlights will be shown on BBC One at 22:25 GMT.
You can also follow the match as it happens with The Independent’s live blog right here.
HALF TIME
United enter the interval with a one goal advantage, thanks to an early opener from Ibrahimovic, assisted by a crossing masterclass from Lingard. The home side have failed to find their feet throughout and will need to respond rapidly in the second half. Rooney was denied by the woodwork, but aside from that, United also need to be more clinical in the final third.
We are off!
United kick off to begin the second half at The Hawthorns.
48 MINS
United will be hoping to continue this half in a similar style how they finished the first - maintaining possession and controlling the rhythm of the game.
Yellow card: Dawson receives a booking for a foul on Ibrahimovic.
51 MINS
Tempers are beginning to flare at The Hawthornes, with Ibrahimovic usually in the middle of it. He clashes with Olsson on the edge of the box to give away an unnecessary foul.
54 MINS
Lingard picks up the ball on the edge of the box and charges towards the West Brom goal. He skips past a number of defenders, but McAuley comes across to save his side.
56 MINS
GOAL
WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0 - 2 MANCHESTER UNITED
Ibrahimovic has doubled his tally, with a terrific display of individual excellence. He picks up the ball on the edge of the box and skips between two defenders and then pulls the trigger. He gets a touch of luck with the deflection, but nonetheless, it's a great strike. Pulis's men have a mountain to climb.
60 MINS
United are now brimming with confidence and West Brom are left chasing this game. The visitors are simply outplaying them, with passes pinging constantly between the red shirts.
63 MINS
Pulis' men really have gone off the boil here. It looks although they need an injection of determination, as they lack any kind of urgency to begin the comeback.
Yellow cards: Rojo and Rondon are rowing following a tackle. It looks although the West Brom forward really is loosing his composure up there.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments