After the relative euphoria induced by a run of decent results in the Premier League in 2015, comes the reality check of three successive defeats.
Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United side are not ready to challenge anyone for the Premier League title just yet, nor will they be until this team is considerably strengthened.
Boaz Myhill dived to his left and made a splendid save to deny Van Persie the equaliser in the 74th minute of the game
Losing to Chelsea was perhaps understandable; Everton, not so much; and West Brom at home was a reminder of the darker days earlier in the season, or even the David Moyes era.
Van Gaal tried everything on Saturday. The back three even returned for the closing minutes and we had Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao, Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata all on the pitch together.
More or less, it was a 3-1-6 formation. Only the kitchen sink remained unused. Little good it did them. Boaz Myhill had to be at his best to stretch to keep out a Van Persie strike on 90 minutes to ensure West Brom kept their lead. And Di Maria hit a swerving shot just over in injury time.
But when Tony Pulis has set his mind to be this obdurate to ensure his side would stay up, you could throw of host of galacticos at the problem and still come up wanting, as United did.
Chris Brunt's thunderous free kick deflected into the back of the net off of West Bromwich Albion defender Jonas Olsson (second left
Now even the Champions League qualification, which had looked a formality, seems a little unsure with the fresh encouragement they have now given Liverpool.
All around Old Trafford, where Rio Ferdinand had played for 12 seasons and enjoyed his most successful years, there was a degree of shock and sympathy at news of the death of his wife, Rebecca Ellison.
Darren Fletcher, now West Brom’s captain, joined his former United team-mates in wearing black armbands in memory of Ellison while the Stretford End revived chants of ‘Rio, Rio’ throughout the first half.
When the ground stood and applauded in the fifth minute in support of Ferdinand, who played in the No 5 shirt at United, it was impossible not be moved at the huge groundswell of support for one of the club’s finest ever defenders.
On the pitch, United were lethargic initially. Wayne Rooney had, as expected, dropped into midfield with Robin van Persie making his first start since February. But Tony Pulis’ banks of defenders, squeezing the space, made it hard for them to make any impression in the opening minutes. Indeed, it was West Brom who had the best early chance when a Craig Gardner corner allowed Joleon Lescott a free header on 15 minutes.
Despite plenty of time and space Lescott directed his chance straight at David de Gea, who saved comfortably.
It at least sparked a response from United, with Van Persie setting himself up for a turn and volley. He caught the strike all wrong though, meaning Boaz Myhill could palm it away, although only into the path of Ashley Young whose shot was deflected wide for a corner.
West Brom threatened again just after, when Claudio Yacob chipped a ball in for Youssouf Mulumbu whose free header was once more directed at De Gea. Again United shot back, this time with Young, a continual menace down the left for Craig Dawson, pulling the ball back for Van Persie, only for the Dutchman to turn his shot just wide on 19 minutes.
United conceded the free kick when Paddy McNair bundled over Darren Fletcher on the edge of the penalty area
Yet, having threatened to up their game and inject a degree of enthusiasm into proceedings, United proceeded to slip back into neutral. Of course, much credit must go to Pulis and Fletcher, on his return to Old Trafford. They simply kept funnelling United players into the crowded central areas and simply did not afford them space or opportunity to create.
United desperately needed an injection of intensity — but with Fletcher, Mulumbu and Yacob presenting a formidable shield in front of the West Brom back four, the home team were reduced to moving the ball from side to side without any dangerous intent
Van Persie dropped deeper to play alongside Rooney and behind Marouane Fellaini as Louis van Gaal attempted to tweak the system find a way through the fog of West Brom players, yet to no avail.
United’s most fruitful forays generally were down their left flank, where Young continued to impress, supported by Daley Blind. But invariably, even when they found a yard or two of space to get behind the full back, they were crossing into a forest of West Brom players.
Fletcher (left) was back at Old Trafford in a West Brom shirt for the first time since departing United in January
Only occasionally did Pulis’ men attempt an expedition into their opponent’s half but a degree of complacency had set in to United’s defence, so that when Fletcher did receive a pass which enabled him to head directly towards the penalty area, Paddy McNair felt the need to barge him over just outside the box.
And as De Gea set his wall up meticulously, he could hardly be blamed for what subsequently occurred. Chris Brunt was the designated free kick taker but curled his strike almost directly into the wall. Luckily for him, it hit a bemused Jonas Olsson and deflected in the opposite direction and into the top corner on 63 minutes.
It was an extraordinarily fortunate break for West Brom and United’s task was suddenly even more formidable. On came Angel di Maria to inject some verve into their attack, though it was Juan Mata who provided the immediate response. His cross on 66 minutes was handled by Joleon Lescott in the penalty area but Anthony Taylor generously deemed it accidental.
Saido Berahino was not so fortunate on 72 minutes.
This time Antonio Valencia provided the cross and Berahino blocked with his arm. He was standing outside the penalty area but leaning back so it seemed the offence did indeed take place inside the box, despite the protestations of the West Brom players.
Still, they need not have worried. Van Persie stepped up for the penalty, but his strike was a lame effort, well within range of Myhil who dived to his left to save.
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