Manchester United 0 West Brom 0 - Report

After a drab opening half, the Baggies were under the cosh for much of the second period at Old Trafford but held firm against the Champions League-chasing hosts.

Goalkeeper Ben Foster denied Henrikh Mkhitaryan and twice saved brilliantly from Marcus Rashford in the closing stages.

Albion then almost nicked a winner when United keeper David De Gea fumbled Darren Fletcher’s shot onto the bar.

Analysis

In truth, victory for Albion would have been a little undeserved, such was United’s dominance, particularly after the break.

Jose Mourinho's side finished the game with 75 per cent possession and having had close to 20 efforts on goal.

Yet for their work-rate alone, Tony Pulis’s men were deserving of the point and while some might find frustration in their lack of adventure, it was impossible not to admire in an organised and disciplined defensive display.

Pulis made one change from the team which defeated Arsenal 3-1 prior to the international break, Hal Robson-Kanu rewarded with just his third start for the club, with Salomon Rondon dropping to the bench.

United were without a host of big name players meanwhile, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ander Herrera both suspended and Paul Pogba, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Juan Mata all missing through injury.

Their starting XI, however, could hardly be declared as weak, with England international Rashford started up front.

And it was the hosts who dominated an opening half without breaking down a Baggies team who rarely ventured out of their own half.

The challenge to Mourinho’s men was clear, yet it was one in which they struggled to make headway as Albion, disciplined and organised, carried out Pulis’s gameplan to a tee.

Jesse Lingard flashed over what turned out to be one of the better openings of the half in the tenth minute, after Anthony Martial’s shot had been deflected into his path.

The latter then saw another effort fly wide off a defender before planting a header from a Lingard cross wide of the far post.

Albion rarely threatened, though they were guilty of wasting some decent positions with poor delivery at set-pieces.

The second half was livelier from the get-go but still the Baggies head firm.

Only a superb interception by Craig Dawson prevented Mkhitaryan from giving Martial a clear run at goal.

Marouane Fellaini then hammered a shot wide from ten yards out, after James McClean had brilliantly blocked Mkhitaryan’s shot at close range.

United were still making the running but were almost stung when a good spell of Albion possession around the box ended with a Darren Fletcher shot, which Eric Bailly rather clumsily cleared behind.

For all United’s pressure, Foster remained untested until the final quarter of the game when he denied the hosts a breakthrough on three occasions.

First the Baggies keeper was quick off his line to save from Mkhitaryan after a fortunate deflection off McAuley’s clearance had put the playmaker through on goal.

His second save, to deny Rashford, was more spectacular. The England international’s shot from 25 yards out had power and dipped fiercely yet Foster was equal to it, pushing it wide with his left hand.

With five minutes remaining, Fletcher almost put Albion in front with a shot which flew through De Gea’s hands and bounced back off the bar.

Rashford then brought another stunning save out of Foster with a free-kick which was tipped over the bar.

Key moments

10 - United forward Jesse Lingard shoots over from a good position.

30 - Albion are proving a tough nut to crack for United. Martial rises to meet Lingard’s cross at the far post but his header flies wide.

51 - Albion register their first attempt of the match. Darren Fletcher’s shot is deflected wide by Eric Bailly.

55 - Marouanne Fellaini hammers a shot wide of goal from ten yards out after a brilliant block by James McClean denies Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

67 - Ben Foster denied Mkhitaryan. A ricochet puts the Armenian through on goal but the Baggies keeper gets enough on the shot before Nyom clears

71 - Foster is called into action again, this time denying Rashford in stunning fashion. The England international lets fly from 25 yards out but Foster makes a superb one-handed save.

85 - Almost an improbable winner for Albion. Fletcher’s shot from distance slips through the hands of United keeper David De Gea and bounces back off the bar.

88 - Foster to the rescue again for Albion, as he tips Rashford’s free-kick over the bar.

Teams

Manchester United (4-2-3-1): De Gea, Valencia, Bailly, Rojo, Young, Carrick (c), Fellaini, Lingard, Mkhitaryan (Rooney 74), Martial, Rashford Subs not used: Blind, Fosu-Mensah, Darmian, Tuanzebe, Willock, Romero (gk).

Albion (4-5-1): Foster, Dawson, Evans, McAuley, Nyom, Chadli (Yacob 67), Fletcher, Livermore, Brunt, McClean (Morrison 57), Robson-Kanu (Rondon 70) Subs not used: Wilson, Harper, Field, Myhill (gk).