Manchester United visit an out-of-form West Brom side determined to keep pace with leaders Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
Jose Mourinho strenuously refuted the suggestion that the title race was over after his side beat Bournemouth 1-0 in midweek, saying that if he had felt the league had already been won then he would have gone “on holiday.”
However, if United are going to remain realistic title contenders, they will have very little room for error in the rest of the season, and need to win games like this. Romelu Lukaku’s goal in midweek was a boost for Mourinho though, and with five wins in their past six games his side will be confident of breaking through a West Brom defence which has improved in recent weeks.
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What time does it start?
West Brom vs Manchester United kicks off at 2.15pm on Sunday afternoon
Where can I watch it?
Highlights of the game will be broadcast on Match of the Day 2 on Sunday at 22.30
It’s a big game for…
Romelu Lukaku. The £75m man grabbed a goal in midweek after a recent dry spell, and these sorts of games are bread-and-butter stuff for the striker who famously thrives against smaller sides. He has four goals in seven career appearances against West Brom.
The Belgian is remembered fondly in this part of the West Midlands after scoring 17 goals in 35 Premier League appearances as a 19-year-old for the Baggies, and will likely get a warm welcome. But he will need to be at his ruthless best to get through a fast-improving West Brom defence.
Best stat…
No manager has beaten Jose Mourinho in the Premier League more times than Alan Pardew (3 – level with Mark Hughes).
Remember when...
Sir Alex’s 1,500th and final match in charge of Manchester United ended in a goalfest as his side drew 5-5 with West Brom.
On an unusually festive final-day occasion, with the Red Devils already crowned as champions and the Baggies comfortably ensconced in the top half, a Romelu Lukaku hat-trick and goals from forgotten names like Shinji Kagawa and Alexander Buttner ensured that the points were shared.
Player to watch…
Jonny Evans. Against his former club, Evans will be crucial to the Baggies’ hopes of getting anything from this match. The West Brom captain has helped his side keep clean sheets against Liverpool and Crystal Palace in their last three games, and has a habit of chipping in with important goals too.
Evans has recently been linked with a return to Manchester, with both City and United reportedly interested, and the Baggies will surely have to keep hold of the Northern Ireland international in January if they are to have any chance of staying up. Up against the likes of Lukaku and Marcus Rashford, he will be key to West Brom’s chances here.
Previous three meetings…
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 0, Premier League, April 2017
West Bromwich Albion 0 Manchester United 2 (Ibrahimovic), Premier League, December 2016
West Bromwich Albion 1 (Rondon) Manchester United 0, Premier League, March 2016
Form guide…
West Bromwich Albion: DDDLD
Manchester United: WWWLW
Odds…
West Bromwich Albion: 5/1
Manchester United: 3/5
Draw: 11/4
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