09/03/2012 09:00 - ManUtd.com, Adam Marshall
United vs West Brom
The Reds get back to league business against the Baggies...
Form guide
United suffered a fifth home defeat of the season at Old Trafford on Thursday when Athletic Club left with a first-leg victory in the Europa League. The champions were unbeaten at the Theatre of Dreams all last season and will be aware of the need to guard against another upset this weekend. The overall*league form has been exceptional, however, with six victories out of the last seven. After only taking a point from the two games against Fulham and Swansea at the start of February, Albion have hit top form - winning three matches on the spin. Wolves (5-1) and Sunderland (4-0) were hammered while the 1-0 success against Chelsea last weekend sounded the death knell for Andres Villas-Boas' short Stamford Bridge tenure. Roy Hodgson's side have not been higher than their current position of ninth in the table.
Ins and outs
Chris Smalling is a doubt after opening a head wound on Thursday. Rio Ferdinand is the obvious replacement but the manager has hinted he may hold the experienced defender back for the away leg in Bilbao instead. Paul Scholes is set to return after being rested in midweek and Tom Cleverley is also in contention. Antonio Valencia, Michael Owen*and Anders Lindegaard remain sidelined with long-term absentees Nemanja Vidic and Darren Fletcher. Baggies skipper Chris Brunt should be available again after a couple of months out with a broken foot but Jerome Thomas and Billy Jones are doubts. Steven Reid is*sidelined with an ankle injury.
Last meeting
The opening fixture of the season was a tough one for United. Unsure as to whether the relatively disappointing away form from the previous campaign would continue, the clash at The Hawthorns appeared to be heading for a draw with Shane Long cancelling out Wayne Rooney's early opener. However, some fine wing work from Ashley Young led to Steven Reid putting through his own net for an 81st-minute*winner. Last season's Old Trafford encounter was a 2-2 draw - remarkably the only home game in which the champions dropped points all season - as the visitors battled back from two goals down to force a point.
Opposition boss
Roy Hodgson is the latest candidate for the England job after proving his worth again in the Barclays Premier League. The unhappy spell at Liverpool was disappointing for the experienced manager, who had worked wonders with Fulham and taken them to the Europa League*final. Given time to stamp his influence on the Baggies, he is again showing just what a good coach he is. The 64-year-old honed his skills abroad and has taken some high-profile posts in the past including Inter Milan and the Switzerland and Finland national teams.
Star man
Peter Odemwingie doubled his goals tally for the season with five in the high-scoring victories against Wolves and Sunderland. The hat-trick in the derby at Molineux proved what a threat he can be on his day and, when on a purple patch, he takes some stopping. The Nigeria attacker will aim to atone for his penalty miss on New Year's Day last year as*it proved costly*with United emerging as*2-1 victors at The Hawthorns. Quick and direct, he'll keep the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans on their toes this weekend.
Quote/unquote
"I think that a win at Old Trafford is overdue now and there is an opportunity on Sunday. There is no better time for us to play Manchester United really. The lads are high on confidence and the crowd is behind us." James Morrison, West Brom midfielder.
Sub-plots*
Albion have won three Barclays Premier League games on the trot for the first time since the start of the 2002/2003 season and will feel they have nothing to lose at Old Trafford. After halting the Reds last term at the Theatre of Dreams, confidence will be high of another shock. Keeper Ben Foster returns to his former club and will expect to be a busy man while the two teams met at Reserves level this week with Albion emerging as 1-0 victors.
Whistle blower
Lee Probert takes charge of a United game for the third time this season. The 39-year-old*referee*oversaw the 3-0 win against Tottenham in the first game of the season at Old Trafford and also the 1-0 triumph at Aston Villa in December.*Chris Foy is the fourth official.
Rivals watch
Manchester City kick off at the exact same time as United - 2pm at Swansea, who have a good home record. Tottenham are at Everton in the teatime fixture on Saturday with Arsenal entertaining Newcastle on Monday night. Athletic Club are at Osasuna late on Sunday night ahead of Thursday's Europa League second leg in Bilbao.
