Manchester United 2-0 West Brom: 5 Talking Points

Manchester United end their goalless drought in the Premier League with a comfortable 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford on Saturday. Jesse Lingard scored his maiden goal for the senior team as he broke the deadlock at around the hour mark. Gareth McCauley then saw red for his silly challenge on Anthony Martial late in the game and the referee pointed to the spot where Juan Mata calmly nestled the ball into the back of the net.The win keeps United in fourth place behind Leicester City, Arsenal and neighbours Manchester City. Here are the major talking points from the game.

#1 Jesse Lingard keeps Manchester United in the hunt

Manchester United has a long-standing tradition of promoting youth from the academy to the first team. This has also been the policy of current United coach Louis van Gaal, who is famous for giving young players a chance in the first team.

After tinkering around with Ashley Young, Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial down the left flank, the Dutchman gave homeboy Jesse Lingard a chance to prove his mettle. Needless to say, the United scholar has grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

The 22-year-old was a livewire throughout the game down the left flank. He not only did his attacking duties but also helped out his fellow flank mate in Marcos Rojo. It was his alertness and sublime finish which gave United the initial breakthrough after probing the Baggies defence all evening.

1 - Jesse Lingard has scored his first league goal since April (Derby v Huddersfield), and his first for Manchester United. Stunner.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 7, 2015

Lingard is on a dream run at the moment with two back-to-back Man of the Match performances in one week. More than his accuracy and flair, it was his desire and zeal to make something happen which made all the difference. The last surviving member of the Class of 2011 surely has a bright future ahead of him if he keeps his head on straight.

#2 Baggies fall short at Old Trafford

West Brom entered this fixture with some momentum and history on their side. The Baggies had won on both of their previous visits to Old Trafford with their gritty defence. In each of their wins, they had frustrated United with their sturdy organization and opportunism.

Last night, too, they planned to replicate the same tactics against their illustrious hosts. But one defensive lapse undid all their good work. Tony Pulis’s side held the Reds for almost an hour before conceding.

West Brom weathered United’s possession and territorial domination but failed to hold their own when the hosts upped the ante later in the second half. A defensive error gave Jesse Lingard the opportunity to score his maiden goal for the senior team and a silly tackle by Gareth McCauly in the dying minutes of the game put the game out of their reach.

In a way, this defeat was an exact antithesis of their previous victories at the Theatre of Dreams.

#3 Ohhh, Berahino!

Tony Pulis surprised one and all when he named a starting lineup devoid of Saido Berahino. The decision was baffling to say the least as the England U21 international has had a successful run in the past against United.

Berahino is having a rocky season, especially after all the deadline day drama. Despite all this, he would have been a threat to this makeshift United defence with his pace and finishing prowess. And when he eventually got his chance, it was a shocker of a performance by the Baggies striker.

The Englishman managed to get the better of Phil Jones a couple of times, but his end product was dismal to say the least. He probably had the best chance of the game to draw West Brom level, but missed a free header from a mere 4 yards from goal.

In a way, his performances vindicated Pulis’ decision to leave him out of the tie.

#4 Chris Smalling steps up again

Chris Smalling has been in some terrific form this season for Manchester United. The Englishman has looked like a new signing for the Reds as his performances are getting better with each passing game. Some are even comparing him to erstwhile United greats like Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. And why shouldn’t they.

Smalling has been the mainstay behind the most successful defence in the league with his astute positional play and hard tackling. The 24-year-old’s awareness to the situation and the reading of the game have been his hallmarks this season. And today was no different.

His handling of West Brom’s Rondon was simply exemplary. He singlehandedly took West Brom’s most potent goal threat out of the game without even breaking a sweat. Smalling’s real prowess in the game was demonstrated in a one vs one situation with the centre forward. The former Fulham man was unplayable in such situations.

His Baresi-esque performance was one of the major factors in United’s back-to-back wins.

#5 Schweinsteiger-Carrick midfield charms once again

Michael Carrick and Bastian Schweinsteiger are few of the most intelligent footballers in world football. Both midfielders are great passers of the ball and are experts at recycling the possession from the midfield.

Louis van Gaal’s shrewd move paid rich dividends once again as United’s misfiring run of over 200 minutes in the league came to an end. The duo may have failed miserably against the high octane midfield of Arsenal at Emirates, but they are making it look like a one-off incident.

Manchester United has looked very potent and lethal whenever this duo has started for them and the team averages almost 2 goals per game. The quick ball transitions from midfield and pinpoint passing has worked like charm for both United and Van Gaal.

Tonight it was their efficiency in the midfield which gave a certain verve and swagger to United whilst moving forward, especially in the second half. They might not have the legs to outrun their opponents, but they surely have the guile to make up for it.