Manchester United will look to improve from where they left off in midweek against Bournemouth when they travel to the Midlands to face West Brom on Sunday afternoon.
It’s been a bit of a deflating week for United after losing the Manchester Derby last weekend and it showed in the performance against the Cherries on Wednesday, where Eddie Howe’s men could have easily snatched a point had they been a bit more clinical.
However, José Mourinho’s side will be looking to keep up the pressure on runaway leaders Manchester City and they could possibly move back to within eight points of their crosstown rivals if they beat the Baggies and the noisy neighbours fall to defeat against Spurs this weekend.
West Brom’s form has picked up slightly after the sacking of Tony Pulis in November, but Alan Pardew’s men still haven’t won a game since the second weekend of the season, so you’d expect United to pick up the three points this time around.
Here’s our predicted United XI for this one:
GK - David de Gea
The Spaniard has been in sensational form recently. Indispensable to United.
RB - Antonio Valencia
Another undroppable element in this United side.
CB - Phil Jones
Jones impressed in his first United start in over a month against Bournemouth in midweek and should retain his place.
CB - Victor Lindelof
The Swede wasn’t used in midweek and with Marcos Rojo out with injury, should come back in for the trip to West Brom.
LB - Ashley Young
Luke Shaw’s re-emergence will give the veteran competition at left-back, but for now, Young will come back into the side after being rested in midweek.
CM - Nemanja Matic
Matic hasn’t looked quite as good as he did early on in the season and maybe tiredness has become a factor. The lack of options means that he starts again, but the midweek Carabao Cup tie against Bristol City should give Mourinho a chance to rest the Serb.
CM - Scott McTominay
Bit of a coin flip this one. McTominay played well against Bournemouth in midweek and could keep his place in the side. However, with a midweek Carabao Cup tie, you would not be surprised to see Ander Herrera start at the weekend. Form-wise, I’d go with McTominay.
RM - Juan Mata
Has looked good for United in the past two encounters and should keep his place at the weekend.
CAM - Jesse Lingard
His fantastic form in recent weeks means he should keep his place.
LM - Marcus Rashford
Anthony Martial’s ineffectiveness in midweek against Bournemouth and a Carabao Cup tie coming up means Rashford should be the man on the left at the weekend.
ST - Romelu Lukaku
The Belgian has come under intense scrutiny in the past couple of weeks but Mourinho’s faith means he is an automatic starter.