Gameweek 12 preview: West Bromwich Albion

4^th place 21 points, 4 points of the top. The place on the table doesn’t tell people the true story of the lack of attacking football by Manchester United over the last 3 games. As per stats united have the lowest shots on target by any team in the top flight. You need to score goals in order to win matches which is practically what united did in the 2012/13 season where they conceded and scored in abundance however that seems to have dried up completely since the arrival of LVG. Even though the goal drought which began in minute 63 against Everton(and lasted for games against Manchester city, Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough ) ended in the midweek UEFA Champions League tie against CSKA Moscow there is still a major concern at the theatre of dreams regarding a lack of threat in front of goal.

The new sensation Anthony Martial is still  a teenager and may not be able to play 90 minutes week in and week out in the physically demanding English top flight (LVG was right to sub him off in the mid week, the stadium was filled with boos following that move). Rooney’s first touch seems to be a pass to the opposition defenders(he has just 2 goals in the premier league this season). James Wilson seems to be a domestic cup player(with the premature league cup exit, and now more domestic cup competition till January one should expect Wilson to feature more prominently). Manchester United are now (I’m sure you all have read this umpteen times elsewhere) a team more focused on keeping the ball and boring the audience and the opponents into submission.

This Saturdays opponents West Brom should prove to be relatively easy but we can be sure former players Jonny Evans, Anders Lindegaard and  Darren Fletcher will have informed their new employers about every possible detail to thwart their old club’s attempt to  maintain position in the top 4

With Right back Matteo Darmian suspended and Antonio Valencia injured expect left winger Ashley Young to start the game at right back. October’s player of the month Chris Smalling has made one the 2 centre back positions his own and the other slot will most likely see Phil Jones.

If Morgan Schniderlin isn’t fit expect Michael Carrick to start the game along with teenager Andreas Perera, as starting with the pairing of Carrick and Bastian Schweinstieger could prove costly in the EPL(the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal).

Predicted lineup : De Gea, Young, Smalling, Jones, Rojo, Carrick, Perera, Lingard, Rooney, Depay, Martial

Subs: Romero, Blind, Schweinstieger, Fellaini ,Mata, Herrera, Wilson

(Case for Depay as he doesn’t have international duty having being omitted from the Netherlands squad)

Predicted scoreline: 2-1 win to Manchester United