MAN UTD: De Gea; Smalling, Evans, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Young; Kagawa, Welbeck... Subs: Lindegaard, Ferdinand, Giggs, Hernandez, Van Persie, Scholes, Buttner. // WEST BROM: Foster, Jones, McAuley, Tamas, Ridgewell, Thorne, Brunt, Rosenberg, Dorrans, Odemwingie, Long... Subs: Myhill, Lukaku, Morrison, Jara Reyes, Fortune, Dawson, El Ghanassy.
Premier League / Matchday 20
Old Trafford / 29.12.2012
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- G. McAuley(9' O.G)
- R. van Persie(90')
Live
Live Updates
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Updated 29/12/2012 at 16:53 GMT
18'
WELBECK! Draws a save from Foster as United look to double their advantage - the placement good, but he couldn't quite find the power.
17'
Another superb pass from Cleverley - must have gone all of 60 yards to Welbeck, who was a whisker away from controlling and being one-on-one.
16'
Gareth McAuley scored his first ever career Premier League own goal. It was the fifth total own goal scored at Old Trafford this season (and first by the away side) – the most own goals there than any other stadium. (Infostrada)
15'
West Borm really struggling for possession here. Even when Odemwingie intercepts he's driven back towards his own corner flag by Smalling.
14'
Curious pass from Smalling - turning back and chipping long to his central defenders.
13'
Kagawa dropping deep and linking things up well. Looks effortless on the ball.
12'
Dorrans goes long as well, this time trying to feed Long. Vidic on hand to do the defensive work.
11'
Cleverley pings out a ball towards Welbeck - would have been quite something had it come off. Not quite.
10'
United have made an unfortunate habit (well, it's been great fun to watch) of giving goals away and having to dig themselves out of trouble - they've made the early running here this afternoon.
9'
UNITED LEAD! IT'S AN OWN GOAL! Ashley Young finds the ball bounce his way via Kagawa's flick - Young drills it across goal at pace, and McAuley paddles the ball past his own keeper.
8'
You can see that it's been raining a lot in Manchester - but it's something of a surprise that we were talking about a possible postponement earlier. The Old Trafford pitch is playing well.
7'
Vidic nods this set piece over the bar. He's a strong presence but he got that one wrong. United just starting to throw their weight around a little, however.
6'
Cleverley and Valencia combine on the right - but somehow there's no cross at the end of it. Valencia gets a second chance and wins a corner.
5'
Manchester City have started supremely well at Norwich by the way; they already lead 2-0.
4'
Speculative shot from Dorrans from all of 30 yards. He's hit one or two crackers from that kind of distance - this was not one of them.
3'
Will be interesting to see how the pairing of Kagawa and Welbeck get on - leaving out Hernandez and Van Persie is a big call from Fergie. Not much to report yet.
2'
United settle into the match early, with Young trying to whip in a cross from the left. West Brom clear.
1'
Away we go at Old Trafford!
14:55
The teams come out at Old Trafford. It has stopped raining and at first glance the pitch doesn't look too bad - we'll see how it holds up throughout the afternoon.
14:50
A quick look at the Premier League table - United come into this game seven points clear at the mid-point of the season. WBA are a highly-impressive sixth and could mathematically be third by the end of the day, though that would require them to win by six or more goals. Which seems unlikely.
14:45
Good as he has obviously been, Robin van Persie's scoring record in 2012 is significantly less prolific than last year. Van Persie has scored 26 goals in 38 Premier League appearances in 2012, compared to 35 in 36 games in 2011. Maybe that's why he's been dropped.