MAN UNITED 2 WEST BROM 0
Jesse Lingard repaid manager Louis van Gaal’s lavish praise with the goal that set Manchester United on the road to victory against West Brom at Old Trafford.
The 22-year-old winger scored his first goal for the Reds on the day van Gaal broke with tradition by referring to an individual in his programme notes.
Van Gaal explained he does not usually single out players but, in this instance, saying he is a young player who has “grasped his opportunity”.
Juan Mata sealed victory with an injury-time penalty as United overcame a dogged Baggies side that had won on each of its last two visits.
That never looked like becoming a hat trick, though it took United until well into the second period before finally breaking their spirit and resistance.
And while United’s lack of attacking adventure was again prevalent, there is no disputing their defensive excellence. This was their fifth successive clean sheet and sixth in seven games as they are certainly a mean machine under the Dutchman’s stewardship.
Van Gaal explained that Lingard impressed him last season when he played in his first game adding his progress has been impeded by injury.
He would not criticise West Brom’s strategy saying every manager has the right to play the way they choose.
Van Gaal explained: “It was good to win, as was always the case against CSKA Moscow who had the same strategy.
“It gives a signal to the next manager you can play that way and still lose.”
Van Gaal added his team still has to attack better against well organised defensive sides, though he was pleased with his side’s display at the back saying they again gave the Baggies few chances.
United fielded an unchanged starting line up to the one that faced CSKA Moscow on Tuesday.
There was only one change on the bench where youngster Cameron-Borthwick-Jackson replaced the suspended Matteo Darmian while Morgan Schneiderlin returned after illness as Marouane Fellaini dropped out through injury.
The Baggies’ side included former United favourites Darren Fletcher and Jonny Evans while on the bench were former Reds James Chester and Anders Lindegaard.
It was clear from the start that United would struggle to break through the visitors’ defence in a 4-5-1 system in which there was little space between the defence and midfield.
United’s first clear-cut chance in the 16th minute came when Wayne Rooney set up Juan Mata who curled a delightful shot the wrong side of the far upright.
It was grim viewing as the next opening came four minutes before the break when Anthony Martial’s shot was deflected off Evans and landed on the roof of the net.
Martial had the first on target goal attempt of the game in the 44th minute when he forced a good save from keeper Boaz Myhill.
The breakthrough came seven minutes after the restart through a piece of magic from Lingard.
Martial’s cross was headed clear by Chris Brunt but only as far as Lingard who curled in a fabulous shot from the edge of the area which went in off the upright.
United made their first change just after the hour when Phil Jones came in for Ashley Young in a straight swap at right back.
West Brom had their best chance of the game with 18 minutes left when Fletcher headed narrowly wide from Stephane Sessegnon’s free kick.
And there was a glaring miss from Saido Berahino one minute after his introduction from the bench when he headed over from six yards when completely free as he met Craig Dawson’s cross.
Borthwick-Jackson, the 18-year-old Rochdale lad, came on for his Reds’ debut with 14 minutes left replacing Marcos Rojo at left back.
Rooney was given an early break, too, coming off with eight minutes remaining as Ander Herrera was given a brief run out.
The game was almost over when United got their second goal to seal victory.
Herrera, who can certainly pick out a forward pass, released Martial who burst clean through only to be brought down by Gareth McAuley.
The central defender was shown a red card by referee Mike Dean and Mata stepped forward to blaze the spot kick straight down the middle for his fifth goal of the season.