So United failed to beat a side in the relegation zone in spite of fielding no less than three ‘strikers’ – Cavani, Rashford and Martial (later Greenwood) losing further ground in the battle to win the Title. Having said that one finds it difficult to comprehend at least a couple of bizarre refereeing decisions which cost us the three points. WBA’s goal was allowed to stand in spite of Diagne wrapping himself around the back of Victor Lindelof to nod the ball home, while not too long ago, Harry Maguire’s headed goal had been disallowed, the ref deciding that the skipper had made contact with the defender. And what about the ref awarding a penalty for clear obstruction on the same Maguire only for the ref himself to overrule his own decision, deciding that in fact there had not been a foul!
United always seem to struggle against the Baggies, having scored just seven goals in our last eight meetings with West Brom. We have failed to score in four of those matches and, last time out it took a Bruno Fernandes penalty to decide the contest at Old Trafford earlier this season. United’s equalizer made it 50 points in the Premier League in 2020/21. The Reds have thus hit that mark in 24 games for the first time since Sir Alex’s reign. In the 2012/13 season, United had managed this in 20 games, en route to winning the title.
My Man of the Match is Bruno Fernandes. Although he had a quiet 44 minutes, he was once again United’s hero with a superb left-footed volley. The brilliant midfielder averages a goal or assist once every 84 minutes in the division which is the best ratio of the 1,685 players.
United’s unbeaten away run in the Premier League now stands at 19 games and they go back into second on goal difference, seven points behind leaders Manchester City.
Article contributed by Contributor Kenneth. Comments are appreciated on our Facebook page.