West Brom v United
United get the 2011/12 Barclays Premier League campaign underway with a trip to The Hawthorns...
Form guide
Placing a gauge on opening-day form is a troublesome task as little can be read into pre-season friendlies, although West Brom have looked sharp thus far and are buoyed by a positive climax to last season, inspired mainly by the work of new manager Roy Hodgson, who will hope to build on an impressive start to his Hawthorns tenure this term. Meanwhile, United began the 2011/12 campaign with a bang by beating Manchester City in the FA Community Shield, to lift what will hopefully be the first of several trophies this season.
Placing a gauge on opening-day form is a troublesome task as little can be read into pre-season friendlies, although West Brom have looked sharp thus far and are buoyed by a positive climax to last season, inspired mainly by the work of new manager Roy Hodgson, who will hope to build on an impressive start to his Hawthorns tenure this term. Meanwhile, United began the 2011/12 campaign with a bang by beating Manchester City in the FA Community Shield, to lift what will hopefully be the first of several trophies this season.
Ins and outsThe Baggies could be without last season’s club top-scorer Peter Odemwingie, who is struggling with an ankle injury, while Youssouf Mulumbu is also likely to miss out with an abdominal strain. Danny Welbeck, Michael Carrick and Patrice Evra are all slight doubts for United after pulling out of international duty this week with knocks. Javier Hernandez is definitely sidelined with a concussion, as are Antonio Valencia and Darren Fletcher who will both feature for the Reserves on Monday.
Last meetingChicharito came off the bench to enhance his growing 'super-sub' reputation by heading United to a 2-1 win over the Baggies, after James Morrison’s 20-yard screamer cancelled out Wayne Rooney’s first goal from open play since March 2010.
Top man
Odemwingie was one of the Premier League's surprise packages last season, scoring 15 goals in just 32 appearances during his debut season in England. Signed from Lokomotiv Moscow by then Baggies boss Roberto Di Matteo, the versatile Nigerian made an instant impact in the Black Country,
Odemwingie was one of the Premier League's surprise packages last season, scoring 15 goals in just 32 appearances during his debut season in England. Signed from Lokomotiv Moscow by then Baggies boss Roberto Di Matteo, the versatile Nigerian made an instant impact in the Black Country,
netting the winner against Sunderland on his first start for the club. With pace, power and newly added experience, Odemwingie looks set for another successful top-flight campaign.
Quote/unquote
"I think you always meet a strong Manchester United team. They will be every bit as good as they always are and to beat them – or even get a point against them – you are going to have to be on your very, very best form." – Roy Hodgson.
"I think you always meet a strong Manchester United team. They will be every bit as good as they always are and to beat them – or even get a point against them – you are going to have to be on your very, very best form." – Roy Hodgson.
Any sub-plots?
While all eyes have been on who might succeed Edwin van der Sar between the sticks for United, it was perhaps inevitable that one of the former candidates would face the Reds on the opening weekend, this time in the shape of Ben Foster, who has joined the Albion from inner-city rivals Birmingham on a season-long loan.
While all eyes have been on who might succeed Edwin van der Sar between the sticks for United, it was perhaps inevitable that one of the former candidates would face the Reds on the opening weekend, this time in the shape of Ben Foster, who has joined the Albion from inner-city rivals Birmingham on a season-long loan.
Whistle-blower
Mike Jones has some experience of refereeing this fixture. The Chester-based official was the man in the middle for United's 2-2 draw with the Baggies at Old Trafford last season – which turned out to be the only time the Reds dropped points at home all season.
Mike Jones has some experience of refereeing this fixture. The Chester-based official was the man in the middle for United's 2-2 draw with the Baggies at Old Trafford last season – which turned out to be the only time the Reds dropped points at home all season.
Did you know?United are unbeaten against West Brom in Premier League history. Granted, the pair have only met 10 times, but the Reds have picked up three points on eight of those occasions, and have a 100 per cent winning record at The Hawthorns.
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