Manchester United vs West Bromwich Albion - Player Ratings

Boaz Myhill saving van Persie’s penalty

United suffered a major setback for the first time under Louis Van Gaal as the Reds have now lost three games in a row without scoring in any of them. It was United who had all the ball, but West Brom looked threatening every time the ball came into the box.

From a Brunt's free kick in the second half, the ball deflected off Olsson to hand Tony Pulis side a shocking lead. Van Persie missed a penalty, before another fierce strike from him was saved by Myhill. As the final whistle was blown, West Brom's safety was secured, but the same cannot be said for United in the top four race.

Let us look at how the players have performed on the night:

Manchester United

David de Gea - 6/10

Despite United having so much possession, de Gea had to be on his toes, largely due to United's poor dealing with the crosses. But, he was upto the task and dealt with it comfortably. However, he could not do much with the goal.

Antonio Valencia - 6/10

Valencia offered good width on his side and put in some decent crosses which were easily dealt with by the West Brom defenders.

Chris Smalling - 6/10

He struggled when the ball came into the box, but looked a lot better than his defensive partner. His passing was, however, wayward.

Paddy Mcnair - 4/10 (Flop of the Match)

It was from his silly foul that West Brom got their opener. He looked shaky at the back every time the ball came into the box. Also he missed a glorious chance in the second half to score the equaliser.

Daley Blind - 6/10

He was neat and tidy with his passing and put in some good crosses. He defended decently as well.

Ander Herrera - 6/10

Herrera was not at his usual best. His passing was good, but struggled to hold the fort on his own while sitting in front of his defenders.

Wayne Rooney - 6/10

Rooney did reasonably well in the deeper role. His passing and distribution was really good but without much effect. He, however, was not effective while defending.

Maroune Fellaini - 6.5/10

Fellaini used his physical presence to good effect to trouble West Brom's defenders. However, he was not able to make the most of it despite seeing a lot of the ball in dangerous area’s of the field.

Juan Mata - 6/10

Except for few good moments, Mata was nowhere near his best. His passing was good, but he was not able to make a notable contribution.

Ashley Young - 7/10

He was United's best player on the pitch. He looked terrorizing on the left side to either shoot or put dangerous crosses in the box. But, he faded away in the second half. Ended the game as a part of the back three.

Robin Van Persie - 5.5/10

Van Persie proved to be a good target man up front. He was a constant threat for West Brom defenders. But he was not able to do much when he had the opportunities. He missed the penalty that would have levelled the game.

Substitutes

Angel Di Maria (63') - 6/10

After coming on, he offered great pace in his side. His crossing was wayward but produced a fierce strike in the end which Myhill just tipped over the bar.

Radamel Falcao (84') - N/A

Hardly anytime to make an impact.

West Bromwich Albion

Boaz Myhill - 8/10 (Man of the Match)

He was the star on the night. He kept out anything United threw at him, Be it, dealing with crosses or shooting. Apart from making a string of fine saves, he saved Van Persie's second half penalty to keep West Brom’s lead intact.

Craig Dawson - 6.5/10

He was composed in defending and dealt with Young reasonably well. However, he offered little in attack.

Gareth McAuley - 7/10

He looked solid at the back and kept United's attackers in check. He cleared the crosses and blocked the shots very well.

Jonas Olsson - 7.5/10

An unlikely and lucky goalscorer on the night. Brunt’s freekick went in after deflecting off Olsson. He was sound defensively and was like a leader at the back.

Juilan Lescott - 6.5/10

The former Manchester City man was lucky not to concede a penalty when the ball hit his hand in the box. Other than that he was good in defending. He did, however, miss an easy header from 6 yards in the first half.

Craig Gardner - 6.5/10

He offered good protection to his defence by tracking back the opposition attackers. He tried to get forward as much as he could.

Youssouf Mulumbu - 6/10

Just like his teammates, he did really well in defence, but was not able to do much in attack.

Claudio Yacob - 7/10

He was another star on the night. He blocked many shots United had at West Brom goal. He also closed down United's attackers well.

Darren Fletcher - 7/10

It was a happy return for the former Manchester United player. He did well in the centre of the park with and without the ball. Won the freekick that led to the goal.

Chris Brunt - 7/10

He put some dangerous crosses in the box. It was from his freekick put West Brom ahead.

Saido Berahino - 5/10

With United having the majority of possession, he hardly had much to do. He gave away the penalty when he handled the ball inside the box. Van Persie’s miss meant no damage was caused.

Substitutes

Chris Baird (76') - 5/10

He came on to see out the game and did his job well.

Brown Ideye (80) - N/A

Hardly anytime to make an impact.

Andre Wisdom - N/A

Hardly anytime to make an impact.