The stats and tip of the day as Manchester Utd head to struggling West Brom
Manchester United are looking to claw themselves back into the title race this weekend as they travel to West Bromwich Albion, a team they've enjoyed plenty of success against recently.
Having needed extra time to beat West Ham United in the FA Cup on Tuesday, Manchester United are hoping to get the job done in much more comfortable fashion at The Hawthorns this Sunday (kick off 14:00 GMT).
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side currently sit second in the Premier League table, while Sam Allardyce's West Brom rooted in the relegation zone. From Cristiano Ronaldo to Robin van Persie, West Brom's home ground holds some good memories for Manchester United fans.
Stat Attack
It gives the Red Devils a win rate of just under 43%, losing 44 and drawing 32 of their games against the men from the Midlands.
The Old Trafford club's most recent trip to The Hawthorns came in December 2017, as former Baggie Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard scored to render Gareth Barry's goal a mere consolation.
Since 2000, United have tasted defeat just five times in 27 clashes, with the last loss in the 2017/18 season when Jay Rodriguez's goal helped hand the title to Manchester City.
Sadly for the Baggies it didn't secure survival for West Brom as they slipped back into the Championship.
Having narrowly beaten West Brom 1-0 at the Old Trafford earlier this season, Planet Sport takes a look at some of United's best performances over the Baggies in the last twenty years.
Top five performances
West Bromwich Albion 0-5 Manchester United
Sticking with the 2008/09 season and a stunning second half display from Fergie's slow-starting side.
Mowbray's outfit were well in the contest for the first half, and Ferguson may well have got the hairdryer out to liven a few of his players up at half-time.
Whatever happened in the changing room it worked wonders. Ronaldo, Berbatov and Nani all netted after the shaven headed Wayne Rooney (still furious following his first half effort being ruled out by referee Mark Halsey) scored to secure three points at Old Trafford.
It was an important result, too, as the European champions sat in eighth place before kick-off and rivals Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool had all won earlier.
Dimitar Berbatov scores during our biggest PL home win v West Brom, a 4-0 triumph in 2008. #mufc https://t.co/krOSG4nwRA
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 7, 2015
Despite van Persie and Javier Hernandez making it 2-5 with 10 minutes to go, Chelsea loanee Lukaku bagged another two, either side of a Youssouf Mulumbu strike, to secure this memorable result.
🗓️⚽️ #OnThisDay in 2013: Sir Alex Ferguson's last game as @ManUtd boss ends 5-5.
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) May 19, 2020
Then @WBA striker @RomeluLukaku9 had a game to remember...pic.twitter.com/ya4O4q98xG