Manchester United vs. West Brom: 6 Things We Learned

David Moyes' introduction to life at Old Trafford took a turn for the worst as Steve Clarke's West Bromwich Albion stunned a lackluster Manchester United with a 2-1 home defeat.

Here's six we learned from the match:

1. West Brom have the talent to move on from Anelka and Lukaku disappointments

Missing out on last year's loanee hero, Romelu Lukaku, to Everton was a bitter blow for Baggies fans. Luckily, the signing of free agent Nicolas Anelka was all set to plug the gap of a glamorous and unyielding match-winner.

Sadly, due to personal tragedy and other factors, the Frenchman has been unable to contribute towards filling that role so far.

However, as evidenced by their surprise win at Old Trafford, West Brom's less heralded talents may have the ability the West Midlands club needs to thrive this season.

Morgan Amalfitano, signed on loan from Olympique Marseille, scored in the 54th minute with an excellent goal, having raced through United's defence and chipped David De Gea.

Ex-Sunderland striker Stephane Sessegnon was at the heart of every positive play by West Brom, suggesting that his former club may have been rather hasty in shipping him out of the North East.

Finally, fresh from scoring against Arsenal in the League Cup, youngster Saido Berahino fired home West Brom's second goal in the 67th minute to win the game. The Burundian-born forward is a product of the club's youth academy, and Baggies fans will hope he can progress on and inspire more prospects to rise up through the ranks.

Some pundits suggested that West Brom could be one of the teams that will find themselves sucked into the relegation battle this season, but with new idols stepping in to replace the club's missing stars, they may threaten the usual clique in the upper mid table.

2. Whatever the merits of him wearing the armband, captain Rooney is United's most important player once more

With Anderson failing to make the most of his chance to dominate the midfield, Rooney took the job upon himself to run the game.

Though he may be unpopular amongst some fans, who find his haggling tactics when it comes to moves and contracts unacceptable, the striker has, once again, become United's most important player.

Against West Brom, he was everywhere. Rooney closed down opponents all over the field, and he assumed the role of playmaker as a box-to-box midfielder and ball-winner all at once. Meanwhile, Anderson failed to head home a good chance to put United ahead, capping off a largely absent performance in midfield.

Without suitable replacements or teammates willing to accept and respond to such responsibility, the buck has come to stop at Rooney, who has been more than willing to run with it.

Following the 4-1 defeat to Manchester City, United's divisive generalist demanded the team up their performance and cut out the sloppiness that had cost them so dear. In the league, his team have so far failed to follow his example.

Until others meet his level of commitment and effort, Rooney remains the best option for wearing the armband regardless of his recent disloyalty.

3. Nani has regained control of his creative impulses

One of the main positives to come from United's defeat was Nani's performance. So often maligned for his wastefulness in possession, the Portuguese winger showed diligence in protecting Phil Jones at right-back, combined well with his fellow attackers and seemed to be playing with more calmness and composure than he usually shows.

Although thwarted by numerous blocks from West Brom's resilient defenders or United's absent-minded strikers in the box, Nani's crossing was a constant threat. His short passing between the lines was simple, tight and accurate.

Fans may have grown used to being frustrated by the winger's inconsistency and erratic playmaking efforts, but if he is able to return to the form he showed between 2009 and early 2011, then United may be able to boast the league's most dangerous wide man.

Should he be able to perform with the same maturity and efficient focus on the team that he did against West Brom, those halcyon days can return under Moyes.

4. Clarke could be the latest stalwart of the Premier League's dugouts

It's unlikely that Moyes' latest defeat will lose him his position as United manager, but over the last few years, wins for West Brom have lead to numerous Premier League bosses getting the sack. Mick McCarthy, Chris Hughton, Andre Villas-Boas, Roberto Di Matteo and, most recently, Paolo Di Canio, were all shown the door at their respective clubs after losing to the Baggies.

By contrast, West Brom's manager looks to be set for many years of modest success in the Premier League, as the divisions latest stalwart of smart management and sensible tactics.

It's unlikely Clarke will be able to win trophies at The Hawthorns any time soon, but securing consistent results against glory-starved clubs—while showing the ability to beat the odds on a small budget—can lead to great things. United's newly appointed manager stands as testament to that.

Moyes would do well to glance over to his triumphant opposite number and remember his own strengths and beliefs that led him to landing the Old Trafford job before his lack of conviction gets the better of him. It wasn't just naked pragmatism and Scottish favour that inspired Sir Alex to select him as his successor.

5. Scott Sinclair: the next player that football forgot?

The former Swansea forward's move to City never looked like a good move for a player who had already seen his opportunity to develop torn apart at Chelsea.

Now at West Brom, Sinclair managed to secure a loan move to the club, which looked to be the ideal setting for him to stage another revival as a key player.

However, against United, he was carried off after an ugly looking muscle injury.

Hopefully it was nothing more than a twinge, as a major set back for Sinclair could set him down a very unpleasant road towards injury-ravaged footballing anonymity, possibly following in the footsteps of Kieron Dyer.

6. Moyes' naivety and reactive instincts hurt United beyond such dismal defeats

Having blasted away a similarly compact and well marshalled Bayer Levekusen 4-2 earlier in September, it's difficult to understand the lack of continuity in Moyes' tactics and team selection to face West Brom.

Bringing on Adnan Januzaj at halftime for Shinji Kagawa was worryingly naive. Though United's manager may have been trying to prevent another Paul Pogba situation with his introduction, the youngster's inability to retain the ball and prevent others muscling him out of possession ultimately led to Amalfitano's opener.

Kagawa may not yet be making the sort of contributions that many expect of him, but while on the field, he was at least keeping things tidy and winning back the ball. The Belgian may be a highly rated talent, but he's shown little to suggest he's ready for first-team football.

Moyes' further substitutions of Robin Van Persie and Marouane Fellaini, following the goals from West Brom, were reactionary in the extreme. With the game far from under control, the changes should have at least been made in reverse order and with more intent than panic.

The new manager doesn't seem sure of his best 11 at present, which is partly to be expected, considering the sense of transition that will linger over the club until the momentum of Ferguson's reign is recovered.

However, the former Everton boss looks to be ad-libbing his moves rather than attempting to piece together a convincing script for the club's future. Was United's impressive win over Leverkusen a fluke that Moyes doesn't understand how to repeat?

Januzaj's apparent promotion to direct match day action also asks the question of Wilfried Zaha's purpose at Old Trafford. Having arrived in the summer as an exciting prospect on the flanks, the ex-Crystal Palace winger needs games to realise his potential in the Premier League. He's earned the chance to do so by helping to heave Palace into the top flight from the Championship last season.

Boos rang around Old Trafford at full-time. Moyes must wake up to the realities of his situation and set a direction for his United squad to follow.

If he doesn't heed the warning from the stands and take up the mantle of becoming a protagonist with his own ideas rather than a reactionary who's reliant on someone else's plans, then his tenure is doomed to failure.