MATCH PREVIEW: UNITED V WEST BROM
Setting the scene: After last weekend's dramatic derby win over leaders Manchester City, United will take on bottom-club West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. The Reds have been on an excellent run of form in the Premier League recently and will confident of claiming a sixth successive win this weekend against the struggling Baggies. It would also continue the momentum that is building at the start of a busy week for Jose Mourinho's men, with an away game at Bournemouth and trip to Wembley for the Emirates FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham to come.
How can I follow it? Sunday’s match kicks off at 16:00 BST and will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports. MUTV subscribers on Sky or Virgin Media, the MUTV app, or online at MUTV.com can enjoy match build-up from 14:00 BST on the Match Day show and listen to radio commentary of the game, before watching it in full at midnight. You can also keep up with all the action as it happens via ManUtd.com's live match blog and our official Twitter account @ManUtd.
What’s the team news? The only player expected to be absent for United is goalkeeper Sergio Romero, who is still sidelined with the injury sustained on international duty with Argentina last month. But the boss could give an update on his squad in Friday's pre-match press conference. Meanwhile, West Brom are set to be without Hal Robson-Kanu (concussion), James Morrison (Achilles) and Gareth Barry (knee). Captain Jonny Evans is a doubt to face his former club with a knee injury, but caretaker manager Darren Moore told the media on Friday that on-loan Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, midfielder Sam Field and former Spurs winger Nacer Chadli have trained and could be part of the squad on Sunday.
How have we been doing? After the thrilling 3-2 victory over City last Saturday, United will head into Sunday's game full of confidence, having also scored 12 goals in our previous five league matches. The Reds' last home game resulted in a 2-0 win over Swansea City, in which Romelu Lukaku scored his 100th Premier League goal. The Reds are currently second in the league, four points ahead of third-placed Liverpool, and will want to solidify that position with just six games left to play.
What about West Brom? It has been a disappointing campaign both on and off the pitch for the Midlands club. Despite finishing 10th last term, the Baggies are now faced with the ignominy of relegation after eight successive seasons in the top flight. They currently have 21 points from 33 games and are 10 points adrift of safety. After parting company with manager Alan Pardew over the Easter weekend, Albion will be looking for a strong end to the season under interim boss Moore. The former Baggies defender led the team to a 1-1 draw against Swansea in his first match at the helm last weekend, which ended a terrible run of eight straight defeats.
What’s our record like against them? United have the edge over West Brom historically, winning 56 of our 131 meetings in all competitions - with the first taking place back in 1892. West Brom have won 43 and there have been 32 draws. The Reds' biggest win against the Baggies came back in 1970, when braces from John Fitzpatrick, Bobby Charlton and Alan Fowling and another effort from George Best sealed a 7-0 victory at Old Trafford.
When was our last meeting? United faced West Brom back in December in the reverse fixture at The Hawthorns, and the Reds emerged victorious with a hard-fought 2-1 win thanks to two goals in eight first-half minutes. Jesse Lingard's effort deflected in off Ahmed Hegazi before Romelu Lukaku headed home the decisive goal against his former club. Gareth Barry pulled one back for the Baggies late on but it proved to be a mere consolation.
Did you know? There could be three players on either side facing their former club this weekend. Reds striker Lukaku scored 17 goals during a loan spell at West Brom in 2012/13, including a hat-trick against United in the eventful 5-5 draw on the final day of the season. For the Baggies, Jonny Evans spent nine years at OT before joining the Baggies in 2015 and keeper Ben Foster made 23 appearances in five years before leaving in 2010.
What do you think the result will be? Get involved and make your prediction with the Manchester United Score Predictor and win amazing prizes throughout the season with Marathonbet.
Who’s the referee? Paul Tierney will take charge of his first ever game at Old Trafford on Sunday - and only his second game involving United after handling the Reds' 4-0 FA Cup victory at Yeovil back in January. The Wigan whistler has refereed three West Brom matches this season, including their goalless draw at Liverpool in December. He will be assisted by Richard West and Andy Garratt, while Mike Dean has been appointed as the fourth official.
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