Manchester United 0-1 West Brom: 5 Talking Points

Jonas Olssons second half goal coupled with some heroics from keeper Boaz Myhill ensured that West Brom left Old Trafford victorious for the second season running. Chris Brunts goal-bound free kick was deflected by Olsson in the 63rdminute. Robin Van Persie missed a penalty for Manchester United, who failed to score for the third game running. West Broms win gives them a seven point cushion over the relegation zone with just three games to go and increases the pressure on the hosts, who are now just four points ahead of Liverpool in fifth place.Here are the major talking points from the game.

#1 Possession is not everything

If games were decided by which side has the most possession and made the most accurate passes, then Manchester United would run out clear winners. Unfortunately for them, possession alone doesn't count for anything and it is goals that decide games. And ever since their six-game winning run was ended by Chelsea, the Red Devils haven't scored one. Despite finishing the game with Radamel Falcao, Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Angel Di Maria and Juan Mata in attack, the hosts failed to create too many clear cut chances and had to rely on hopeful long balls to trouble Tony Pulis' side. When teams have sat back and made it difficult for United, Louis Van Gaal's side have struggled to find an answer and that was evident against a well-drilled West Brom, who managed two straight wins at Old Trafford for the first time in 55 years.

#2 Pulis finally get his reward

Win over United means that the Baggies have reached that magical 40 point mark and have all but assured their place in the league for another season. While the players will undoubtedly be praised, it is Tony Pulis, who deserves all the plaudits. Not only has he once again masterminded another survival, victory on Saturday was his first against United. For someone who has done so well, first with Stoke, then Crystal Palace and now West Brom, it is surprising to note that he has managed just a solitary point against the Red Devils as a manager. But the Baggies' win wasn't just a reward for Pulis, but also the way in which he set his side up to defend resolutely and hit the hosts on the break and from set pieces. While it is easy to criticise United for missing opportunities, credit must go to the visitors for defending for their lives from the first minute to the last.

#3 RVP makes a welcome return

If you ever needed proof that statistics aren't everything, you only need to look at Van Persie. Although he hadn't started a match for the Red Devils in over two months and hadn't scored a goal in almost three, the Dutch striker was the club's second leading goal scorer of the season. While he didn't get his goal against West Brom, he his all-round play was far better than Falcao. He looked sharp, got his shots away quickly and his movement off the ball, continues to be his biggest asset even if the pace that made him so lethal a few years ago is missing. Even though he missed his penalty, he looked United's most likely goal threat. Even after being moved to midfield in the second half, the striker created opportunities for himself and almost scored from a free kick and a couple of efforts from outside the box.Given how toothless United’s attack has become since Rooney moved back into midfield, it looks as though the striker has timed his return perfectly, even if it wasn’t enough to stop United from losing three consecutive Premier League games for the first time in over a decade.

#4 Van Gaal has big decisions to make

This was always going to be a transitional year for United, especially with a new coach with radical ideas. Even though they are on a three-game losing streak, it would be a surprise if they didn't get into the Champions League next season, given they are four points ahead and have a superior goal difference over Liverpool with just three games to go. Once the season ends, Van Gaal will have some big decisions to make. Central midfield and defence looks like it could do with some rejuvenation. While the money will be there for the Dutchman to spend, who leaves and who stays will be just as important as who comes in. Will he trust Di Maria to get better or sell him if a good enough offer presents itself? What will happen to Falcao and Van Persie? These are just some of the questions that needs answering over what promises to be another interesting summer at Old Trafford.

#5 Do United have a South American problem?

What do Diego Forlan, Juan Sebastian Veron, Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria have in common? Aside from being from South America, all four of those players had hugely successful careers at everywhere else, apart from United. While it might just be one of those bizarre anomalies, there might be more to it than just that.

One of the common traits of Latin American attackers has been their tendency to go down far too easily. While it is a stereotype, it is true nonetheless. The amount of times, Di Maria went down after minimal contact from West Brom defenders, must surely annoy his manager. If his tendency to cross straight into the keeper or out of play wasn't bad enough, the Argentine simply seemed to lack the strength to hold his own on Saturday. Despite being the side's leading creator, it wouldn't be a surprise if Van Gaal decided to cash in on his most expensive player this summer. And he won't be the first expensive South American to leave Old Trafford as a flop.