West Brom vs. Manchester United: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview
Manchester United close out Week 8 of the 2013/14 Premier League on Monday night when they travel to the Hawthorns to face the in-form West Bromwich Albion.
The Baggies started the season in shaky fashion and were odds-on for relegation, but their recent resurgence has seen them climb the table impressively, chalking up three wins in their last four.
The same can be said for Louis van Gaal’s new-look Red Devils, too, so something’s got to give in the Midlands.
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Date: Monday, October 20
Time: 8 p.m. BST/3 p.m. EDT
Venue: The Hawthorns
TV Info: Sky Sports 1/NBC Sports Live Extra
Live Stream: Sky Go/NBC Sports Live
United Looking for Three on the Spin
Being a Manchester United fan can’t be easy—one week you’re in love with the team, the next you want nothing to do with them—as despite the millions of pounds spent in the summer transfer window, times have remained tough at Old Trafford this season.
However, recent matches suggest that the club’s countless new faces are starting to jell, and the 2-1 win over Everton before the international break brought about a performance that wouldn’t have looked out of place in the days of Sir Alex.
Perfect timing, then, for Van Gaal’s men to face West Brom—a team that they’ve enjoyed countless success against over the years.
As 11v11’s statistics reveal, United have lost just one league match to the Baggies in the Premier League era—last season’s shocking defeat at Old Trafford—and have never tasted defeat at the Hawthorns.
The Red Devils comfortably disposed of West Brom 3-0 in this fixture last season, and they’ll be hoping for more of the same this time around.
However, Van Gaal is very aware of the threat that Alan Irvine’s side pose, and he told the club’s official website that his team are in for a tough test on Monday night:
"I think West Brom are very difficult to beat, especially at their home. They play not only long balls but they also play a positional game. They are dangerous opponents. But no opponent in the Premier League is easy to beat. We have to start with a victory after the international break because we have won the last two games, but West Brom did that too so they also want to win the match. It won't be easy.
"
While United boast the likes of Radamel Falcao, Robin van Persie and Angel di Maria in their ranks, it’s one of West Brom’s frontmen that’ll be the centre of attention on Monday.
Saido Berahino has been instrumental behind Albion’s recent run, and as Squawka Football revealed, that much is related in the statistics:
However, recent rumours linking the English striker to Tottenham Hotspur, per Sami Mokbel of MailOnline, have brought Berahino’s future into doubt, and his levels of focus could well be out of touch.
That’ll play into United’s hands, though, as the last thing their shaky back line needs is coming up against a striker in form that’s hungry for goals.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch, captain Wayne Rooney will continue to sit out as he serves the second of his three-game suspension, which means that the front four of Falcao, Van Persie, Di Maria and Juan Mata will start together once again.
Falcao opened his Premier League account in the victory over Everton and showed United fans exactly why he’s worth his staggering wage bill.
The Colombian displayed breathtaking instinct to get into the perfect position to latch onto a Di Maria cross-cum-shot, before diverting the ball home with aplomb—leaving Gary Lineker to praise the forward’s dynamic movement:
He’ll be in the hunt for goals once again in the red shirt on Monday, and based on the evidence of his performances so far, it would take a brave man to bet against him doing just that.
So much has been said about United’s attacking brilliance so far this season, but it’s their defence that really needs to show some form and consistency on Monday.
Van Gaal would love to take three points home from the Hawthorns, but it’s the clean sheet that could potentially go with it that’ll really get the Dutchman flying high.
That being said, just a victory under any circumstances will be enough to get United fans’ optimistic juices flowing as their club enter what’s bound to be an exciting period.
Prediction: West Brom 1-3 Manchester United
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