Manchester United Vs. West Bromwich Match Report

Four second-half goals helped a fluent United see off West Bromwich Albion’s gallant challenge at Old Trafford.

The Reds had been frustrated by the visitors – in particular keeper Scott Carson – for nearly an hour but finally made the breakthrough when Wayne Rooney finished neatly for his fourth goal in as many games.

Cristiano Ronaldo made the game safe with a left-footed shot before Dimitar Berbatov prodded home and substitute Nani added gloss to the scoreline in injury-time.

The only downside to a satisfying win was an injury to Patrice Evra, who was forced off in the first half after taking a knock to his leg.

Despite the impending Champions League visit of Celtic, Sir Alex Ferguson opted to field a strong side. It was perhaps a sign of respect for the Baggies, who arrived on the back of three straight league wins.

Right-back Rafael was handed a first Premier League start, with Ryan Giggs playing in the centre of midfield, Ji-sung Park on the left and Ronaldo on the right. Carlos Tevez and Anderson were omitted from the squad entirely after their international exertions in midweek.

West Brom began with a confidence that belied their underdog status, Chris Brunt firing straight at Edwin van der Sar when well placed on the edge of the box. But United – in particular the first three goalscorers – looked in the mood as well and the forward trio were involved in most of the Reds’ most promising attacks.

Rooney looked to have given United the lead midway through the first half when he controlled Ronaldo’s pass, cut inside and dinked the ball home, only for referee Mark Halsey to harshly penalise the striker for a push on Gianni Zuiverloon.

Soon after Rooney had another chance to put United ahead but his header from Giggs’ left-wing free-kick was well parried by Carson.

Ten minutes before the break Evra was replaced by John O’Shea and the Frenchman looked to be moving uncomfortably as he left the pitch.

But United continued to press and as the half neared its conclusion Berbatov was thwarted as he prepared to pull the trigger inside the box.

The Reds began the second period in much the same vein, with Ronaldo providing extra impetus by drifting into the centre of the attack.

Rooney again looked most likely to break the deadlock but was twice denied by excellent Carson parries.

Yet the Baggies’ keeper could do little about the striker’s top-drawer finish when it finally arrived in the 56th minute. United broke at pace, Berbatov played a ball into the path of Rooney, who charged down the left, cut inside Ryan Donk and shot low to Carson’s right.

The frontman’s animated celebration suggested relief as much as anything else after his earlier frustrations in front of goal.

Rooney almost grabbed a second minutes later after being played in by Giggs, only to be denied by Carson yet again.

But a second goal did arrive with 20 minutes left and this time it was Rooney who was the provider with a through-ball to Ronaldo, who shot left-footed underneath Carson.

And almost immediately Berbatov made it three with his first goal at Old Trafford. A deflected left-wing cross from Nani, on for Park, found its way via a deflection to the Bulgarian, who instinctively stuck out a boot and guided the ball home.

West Brom battled bravely but lacked the necessary quality in front of goal. Substitute Ishmael Miller had their best chance with two minutes left but his shot whistled just wide.

And Nani made a satisfying evening for the champions even better when he converted Rooney’s cross from close range in stoppage-time.

Team line-ups

MANCHESTER UNITED: Van der Sar; Rafael (Neville 65), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra (O'Shea 36); Ronaldo, Fletcher, Giggs, Park (Nani 70); Berbatov, Rooney.
Subs not used: Brown, Evans, Gibson, Kuszczak.

WEST BROMWICH ALBION: Carson; Zuiverloon, Donk, Olsson, Robinson; Morrison, Valero, Greening, Koren (Moore 72), Brunt; Bednar (Miller 53).
Subs not used: Kiely; Cech, Hoefkens, Barnett, Macdonald.
Bookings: Zuiverloon.

Attendance: 75, 451.
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Manchester United Vs. West Bromwich Highlights Video Clip

Manchester United [4 - 0] West Bromwich
56' [1 - 0] W. Rooney
69' [2 - 0] C. Ronaldo
71' [3 - 0] D. Berbatov
90' [4 - 0] Nani








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Edwin van der Sar equalled Peter Schmeichel’s 129 international caps when he came out of retirement to face Iceland on Saturday. It’s a feat that reminds United’s goalkeeping coach Eric Steele that replacing the Dutchman will be as difficult a task as it was trying to find the great Dane’s successor.

Van der Sar, who turns 38 at the end of this month, has a contract that runs until next summer. He plans to decide on his future beyond that date by the turn of the year.

The Dutchman has been a steadying influence on United since arriving from Fulham in 2005. Steele hopes Edwin can carry on heading up the Reds’ last line of defence, but says the challenge has been set for the likes of Ben Foster and Tomasz Kuszczak.

"Edwin has gone public with the message that this is his last year, but with a view to looking at it and reviewing the position at Christmas. So we have to be prepared for if and when that happens," said Steele.

"Edwin is a very, very experienced goalkeeper. He has been one of the finest in the world in terms of the sweeper-keeper role that this club needs.”

Steele worked with Schmeichel during his time as a coach at Villa Park, and he says the Dane’s rating as most people's best-ever goalkeeper is fully justified.

“It was tough getting someone in to fill Schmeichel's boots, and Edwin's boots are going to be big to fill,” he told the Manchester Evening News. “He will now be remembered for the famous save in the shoot-out in the Champions League final but I think it had been noted by the game’s purists that he was one of the finest in terms of playing out from the back.

“He has been, and still is, one of the best. It’s a joy having viewed him from a distance to now work with him. He has raised the bar. But when the time comes that Sir Alex says, ‘who is going to replace Edwin?' I have to have an answer and reasons for the answer.

"My job is to give the manager as many options as I can,” he added. “That is what we are trying to do. We have to get all the goalkeepers fit and competing and throw the gauntlet down to Tomasz Kuszczak and Ben Foster and ask, ‘who is going to become our no.1.

"This is the time for Tomasz and Ben. This is what they were brought here for. They are both back from injury. Both are fully fit now to accept the challenge and Edwin knows it is there."

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