West Brom vs. Manchester United: Team News, Live Stream, TV Info, Ticket News
Other results among the teams battling for a top-four place in the Premier League have meant that West Bromwich Albion vs. Manchester United has become a practically must-win game for the Red Devils. A win would take them back above West Ham United to fifth place, level on points with Manchester City, though the Sky Blues would still have a game in hand.
It would also mean that United were within two points off Arsenal in third place.
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There is less at stake for Tony Pulis' Baggies, though in his pre-match press conference he stressed the need to acquire points. He said, per BBC Sport:
"We have looked a threat going forward which is good, and hopefully we can look a threat on Sunday.
We have to maintain it. We're still four points short of what everybody wants [40 points], we have to get there as quick as we possibly can.
We know it will be a tough game, they've had a great result again on Wednesday so they'll come full of confidence.
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Louis van Gaal used his time with the press to stress the challenges he has faced with injuries saying, also per BBC Sport, "We have to go step by step. We now have four victories in a row, which is fantastic, but we have a very small selection at the moment. Players are coming back, but I still have to solve a problem in my line-up every week."
Last season, this fixture finished 2-2 thanks to a late Daley Blind equaliser. If United are to mount a serious campaign for a top-four finish—or better—they simply must improve on that result this time around. Failure to do so would not end their season, but it would indicate that the old problems with inconsistency were creeping back in and damage confidence ahead of the final leg of the journey.
Date: Sunday, March 6, 2016
Time: 4 p.m. GMT/11 a.m. ET
Venue: The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, England
TV Info: Sky Sports 1 (UK Only) / NBCSN (U.S. only)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK Only) / NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. only)
Form Lines
West Bromwich Albion: LDWLWD
Manchester United: LLWWWW
Team News
BBC Sport report that West Brom's former United defender Jonny Evans is "still missing with a hamstring injury."
In horrible news for Baggies fans, Pulis and the player himself, they also report that Chris Brunt "has been sidelined for at least six months with a knee injury."
United's injury crisis is easing—though given that they have generally performed better in recent weeks while missing many key players, that could be a mixed blessing. Van Gaal told MUTV (h/t ManUtd.com):
"A lot [of players] can do that [make Sunday’s squad] but it’s also what I have already told - I don’t want to take a risk. [Antonio] Valencia is coming back, [Marouane] Fellaini is coming back, [Phil] Jones is coming back. A lot of players are coming back, and I have said that in former press conferences."
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BBC Sport suggest that, "Michael Carrick could return for Manchester United after being rested in midweek, while Chris Smalling may make his comeback from a shoulder injury."
They remain without the services of Donald Love, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Will Keane, Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Luke Shaw, per Physioroom.com.
Predicted Lineups
According to Jamie Jackson of the Guardian, West Brom could line up as above. With Saido Berahino returned to the side in recent weeks, the team possesses a throwback big-man, little-man front two—a combination that could well cause United problems if Blind performs anything like he did against Watford.
United have options in the full-back positions—particularly the possible involvement of Matteo Darmian on either flank, but assuming Smalling is fit to play, the lineup may—and probably should—look as above. Marcus Rashford came to life when moved to the right flank against Watford, with Anthony Martial central. Van Gaal should attempt that from the start.
Players to Watch
With his average of 1.2 key passes per 90 minutes, Stephane Sessegnon will likely be West Brom's key creative force in this one. Their top scorer in the league this season is Rondon, though he has just six goals to his name. Berahino has two fewer goals, but both are scoring at a rate of 0.3 goals per 90 minutes in the league.
Berahino's return to the fold has made West Brom a different proposition, and thus he will no doubt be one to watch.
Rashford could be United's key man again. His move to the right in the second half against Watford saw him cause his full-back all manner of problems—he completed four of his five successful dribbles during the second 45 minutes of that one.
In truth, United's entire front line is in decent nick. Memphis Depay starred against FC Midtjylland, Juan Mata scored a wonderful free-kick against Watford and Martial looked reinvigorated by his move to centre-forward during the second half against the Hornets.
Key Battle
Blind was in shocking form against Watford, offering presentable chances to Odion Ighalo. Fortunately for United, he was not punished for that, but with Smalling just back from injury, West Brom's front two could cause United's centre-halves plenty of problems. That seems likely to be a key battle in this one.
Ticket News
For ticket information on all Premier League games, visit the official site or go to the ticket page on the home club's official website.
Odds
West Bromwich Albion: 333-100
Draw: 12-5
Manchester United: 26-25
Odds for the game correct at the time of writing, per Odds Shark.
All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com.
