Don’t Expect Clarke’s West Brom To Trouble United

After Boxing Day’s thriller of a match against Newcastle at Old Trafford, Manchester United on paper have an easier looking fixture at home to Steve Clarke’s West Brom tomorrow. After all United can’t keep leaking goals at will can they?

West Brom have arguably been the surprise team of the season. After the success Roy Hodgson had many fans and pundits believed that Clark was entering a poisoned chalice stepping up into the Hawthorns hotseat after his predecessor took the England job.

Clarke though has proved the doubters wrong up until now. So often a man thought of as just a right-hand man, he has chosen his first step into management well. He has made few changes and just like Hodgson before him, has made West Brom a hard team to beat and one that plays a good attacking and pressing brand of football as well.

United though should have enough to beat West Brom though, even if they go behind as they have countless times already this season. Sir Alex Ferguson called the win over Newcastle a ‘championship performance’ and whilst there’s no doubt that come May it could prove to be an invaluable three points, championship-winning sides tend to have a habit of keeping clean sheets and grinding out 1-0 wins when they’re not playing well.

West Brom will most likely pair Shane Long and Romelu Lukaku up front. Whilst the duo haven’t always started together, they can be dangerous. Both work hard off the ball. Long has continued where he left off from last season whilst the Belgian youngster on-loan from Chelsea has made the most of his opportunity to play this year scoring 6 goals to date.

Vidic may be brought back into the fold to get another game under his belt after his recovery from injury, but don’t be surprised to see Sir Alex pair Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans up again. Both players have had excellent seasons to date although with the gruelling schedule it would make sense for one of them to get a rest at the expense of the returning captain.

Ryan Giggs is a shoe-in to start after his stellar performance at the weekend. He has had a slow start to the season but has shone in his last two games. Tom Cleverley impressed from the bench alongside Michael Carrick and it would be unwise not to keep that blossoming partnership going this weekend.

Up top United will cause Clarke’s team problems. Robin van Persie is on fire, not that anyone expected him to struggle and in the absence of Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck it was vital that Javier Hernandez played well against Newcastle.

The little Mexican has scored 10 goals already this season and is just two shy of his total from last season which was curtailed thanks to injuries and a loss of form. He has silenced his doubters and now due to Rooney’s injury, has 3-4 games in a row alongside van Persie where he should be looking to cash-in. Who wouldn’t back both to score tomorrow?

By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87

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