Premier League preview: Manchester United v West Bromwich Albion

27 December 2012 14:37

Manchester United showed that even when not at full flight they are capable of winning some of the most remarkable matches in football.

United trailed three times at home to Newcastle on Boxing Day but claimed a stunning 4-3 victory courtesy of Javier Hernandez's 90th-minute goal.

The Red Devils were far from their best, struggling defensively and misplacing passes.

But as seen so often this season, United's firepower has been good enough to get the team out of trouble.

The thrilling result in damp conditions at Old Trafford sent United seven points clear at the summit, even without the services of Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young, who both missed the match due to injuries.

And next up for the championship hopefuls is a showdown with one of the league's surprise packets West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Under the guidance of rookie manager Steve Clarke, West Brom are sixth, level on points with Everton and Tottenham.

A four-game winless streak threatened to derail a potential Europe League berth but two successive wins against Norwich and Queens Park Rangers has the club firmly entrenched in the top seven.

But West Brom face an uphill task upon their trip to the Theatre of Dreams, having never beaten United in the Premier League.

Since the competition was founded in 1992, the pair have met 12 times, with United claiming 10 wins and two draws.

In the past five games, United have netted a whopping 17 goals, while only conceding four.

The Premier League leaders will be without Rooney for the next three weeks after he sustained knee ligament damage during training but Ferguson is hopeful of welcoming back Young and Phil Jones for Saturday's match.

Midfield pair Youssouf Mulumbu (one-game ban) and Claudio Yacob (injury) are set for a return to the West Brom starting line-up.