Premier League

Old Trafford

Saturday 21st November 2020 -  20:00
Man Utd
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West Brom
Stream on WBA TV
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Key Events

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Slaven Bilić’s Baggies return to action with a trip to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday (ko 8pm).

Manchester United

Their last time out

The Red Devils went into the international break off the back of an impressive 3-1 win at Goodison Park against early pace-setters Everton.

A first-half brace from Bruno Fernandes, followed by Edinson Cavani’s first goal for the club in stoppage time, helped United bounce back from consecutive defeats.

In the dugout

Ole Gunnar Solskjær has been in permanent charge at Old Trafford for more than a year since signing a three-year contract in March 2019.

United originally brought the Norwegian in on an interim basis from Molde after the departure of José Mourinho. But Solskjær’s success in the Premier and Champions League earned him a long-term deal which he justified last year by guiding United to a third-placed finish in his first full season in charge. 

One to watch

Bruno Fernandes will be confident following his recent goal-scoring exploits.

The Portuguese midfielder proved to be the difference in United’s last league game against the Toffees and has an impressive 11 goal contributions from 11 Premier League matches so far.

Our last meeting

Jay Rodriguez made it a memorable encounter the last time these two sides met in England’s top flight.

His second-half header earned the Baggies a hard-fought 1-0 win in Manchester back in April, 2018.

Stats

Albion

  • The Baggies have lost just one of their last five visits to Old Trafford.
  • Three of those recent trips to Manchester have seen Albion return with a clean sheet.
  • Saturday could mark 80 Albion appearances for Kyle Bartley should he start.

Manchester United

  • United have failed to score in their last two Premier League games at home.
  • They are also yet to record a home league win this season.
  • Solskjær’s men have managed just two goals from their opening four league games on home soil.

Head to head

  Man Utd wins Draws Albion wins
League 54 29 41
FA Cup 1 3 2
League Cup 1 0 1
Total 56 32 44

 

Our one to watch

Karlan Grant will be eager to add to his Albion tally after coming so close in the last match.

Only Eric Dier’s goal-line clearance prevented Grant from netting his second goal for the club against Spurs. Saturday presents another opportunity for the striker to get back to scoring ways and help Albion fight for their first win back in the top flight.

Follow the game

Gez Mulholland will be joined by once midfield-now-microphone maestro Andy Johnson to provide proudly partisan commentary and an expert insight for WBA Radio.

To listen live to Baggies-biased commentary on WBA Radio for free for every home and away match during the 2020/21 season all you have to do is sign up for a free My Albion account.

If you haven't already you can create your My Albion account here. Click Create Account or register quickly with your Facebook or Google account. 

Live commentary starts from 15 minutes before kick-off and will be accessible through the live match centre or WBA TV.

If you have any issues registering or accessing your My Albion account please contact myalbion@wbafc.co.uk.

The game is also available to watch on BT Sport.

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Albion were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Manchester United in an eventful Premier League clash at Old Trafford on Saturday night.

A crazy 10 minutes in the second half decided the game - when Bruno Fernandes netted a re-taken penalty after the Baggies had been harshly denied one just seconds earlier.

Conor Townsend, Karlan Grant, Callum Robinson and Kyle Bartley came close to breaking the deadlock, but Albion couldn't force an equaliser in the closing stages. 

Slaven Bilić made four changes to the side that was beaten by Spurs before the international break, with Branislav Ivanović, Matheus Pereira, Romaine Sawyers and Grady Diangana coming in for Dara O’Shea, Jake Livermore, Filip Krovinović and Callum Robinson.

It was the hosts who made the stronger start - Sam Johnstone fantastically denying Anthony Martial twice inside the opening 16 minutes - but Albion grew into the game and created two good chances midway through the first half.

First Karlan Grant saw a low shot deflected narrowly wide following skilful play from Pereira to play him in, before Ivanović headed past the post when he had got on the end of a dangerous Conor Gallagher corner.

And it was another Gallagher corner that created the best opportunity ahead of the interval - this time Bartley nodding just over the crossbar and onto the roof of the net.

After a goalless first half, it was an action-packed start to the second 45.

Within a couple of minutes the Baggies thought they had won a penalty when Gallagher was brought down inside the area by Fernandes. However, much to the bemusement of the Albion bench, the decision was then reversed by referee David Coote.

United themselves were awarded a spot-kick on the 50 minute mark for a harsh handball against Darnell Furlong, and despite Johnstone superbly saving Fernandes’ initial effort he was judged to have been off his line too early and the Portuguese midfielder netted the re-take.

Johnstone was forced into action twice more as Solskjaer’s side pushed for a second, reacting brilliantly to keep out Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire when they looked set to score.

The result could have been so different for an unfortunate Albion had substitute Callum Robinson’s curling effort dropped in instead of crashing against the woodwork, but even with a late spell of pressure it just wasn’t to be for the Baggies as they returned home empty-handed from a rainy Old Trafford.

Albion: Johnstone, Furlong, Ajayi, Ivanović (Krovinović 79), Bartley, Townsend; Pereira, Sawyers, Gallagher; Diangana (Robson-Kanu 62), Grant (Robinson 62).

Substitutes: Button, O’Shea, Harper, Phillips.