Monday night proved to be a bad night for Manchester United as they were drawn 2-2 away to West Bromwich Albion. It was again a match where United’s defense was exposed and destroyed as West Brom scored 2 goals in 2 opportunities they got. It was an important game for Louis Van Gaal as Man Utd will be playing current leaders Chelsea and defending champions Manchester City in the coming two weeks and 3 points were vital for them which would have taken them back to top 4 but it all turned out bad.
Manchester United were without suspended Wayne Rooney and LvG kept star striker Radamel Falcao on the bench due to jet leg. It was young Adnan Januzaj who got his first start in Barclays Premier League this season. Juan Mata played in place of Rooney while Phil Jones was back after recovering from a long injury. West Brom started good and they took the lead early in the first half where United left-back was at fault who didn’t cover the run alongside Di Maria who failed to track back, credit to Sessegnon who scored a lovely goal. United were bound to bounce back with the attacking power they had but the first half ended 1-0 as United weren’t able to find a break through.
Many Manchester United players weren’t looking fit or sharp enough after coming back from the international break and one of them was Ander Herrera who was substituted for Marouane Fellaini and amazingly it was Fellaini who scored from a beautiful shot after controlling the ball with his chest. It was looking like United will have a comeback win just like the fergie days but it was 23 year old Berahino who scored second for West Brom after a really poor display from Phil Jones who lacked positional sense at that time. United were punished both the time West Brom got an opportunity but at the final minutes it was Daley Blind who scored a beautiful goal from long range to get United a 2-2 draw after a great spell of attacking display.
United fans will be disappointed as it was a must win game and looking at Man United’s poor defense yet again it seems Chelsea and City might destroy this United side, only time will tell and LvG has to work his magic but it just doesn’t seem like United have the defensive players who can play at the very top level.
– Jainam Jhaveri
defence is still a problem to be solved in this squad ….. defence can be rated as 3/10 …. midfield (keeping Angel di Maria on mind) 6/10 … and attack is 8/10