Manchester United’s recovery from the body blow that their cross-city title rivals delivered to them at Old Trafford takes them to the Hawthorns this afternoon, where they face a West Bromwich who have troubles of their own.
Jose Mourinho might have blamed his side’s struggles in keeping pace with Manchester City on referees and chance and everything under the sun, but no amount of bluster can cover up the fact that his side are a long way off the pace of Guardiola’s men.
Travelling United fans then, will be hoping that their side can show some signs of life and give them a modicum of hope for the rest of the campaign.
Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford are the ones charged with supporting the much-maligned Romelu Lukaku up top today.
West Brom, for their part, haven’t exactly set pulses racing with their displays since Alan Pardew has taken over the reigns from the slumber-inducing Tony Pulis, and you feel the home fans would settle for seeing their side rattle the United net once today.
Salomon Rondon will be starting up front for the home side, and you suspect he might be a lonely boy at times.
See full team lineups below:
