Manchester United 0-1 West Bromwich Albion

West Brom's winner was given to Jonas Olsson, even though Chris Brunt's free-kick looked to be on target

• West Brom reach 40-point mark

• Man Utd four points above fifth-placed Liverpool

• Returning Van Persie has penalty saved

Manchester United suffered a third consecutive defeat as West Brom moved a step closer to Premier League safety.

United dominated possession, but went behind midway through the second half when Chris Brunt's free-kick deflected in off team-mate Jonas Olsson.

West Brom's Boaz Myhill saved Robin van Persie's penalty after Saido Berahino's handball in the area.

Van Persie came close late on, but Louis van Gaal's side are now just four points above fifth-placed Liverpool.

The Baggies have now reached 40 points, the mark considered to be enough to survive in the top flight, and they did it with a resolute performance that secured a second successive win at Old Trafford.

Tony Pulis, pictured with Ryan Giggs, recorded his first ever win over Manchester United as a manager, having previously lost 10 and drawn one

For United boss Van Gaal, who had questioned his side's commitment in last week's 3-0 loss by Everton, this was a third straight game without a goal, and it may allow Liverpool to believe they can chase down their rivals and steal the fourth Champions League qualifying spot.

United controlled the ball all game and Van Persie, returning to the starting line-up for the first time since injuring his ankle in February, had looked the home side's most likely source of a goal, hitting wide from the edge of the area and flicking an Ashley Young cross off target in the first half.

But though United boasted 80% possession, they lacked the guile and creativity to break down Tony Pulis's organised outfit.

And Van Gaal's men were stunned in the 63rd minute when Brunt's 25-yard free-kick, which was heading towards the bottom-left corner, flew into the wall, off Olsson's leg and into the opposite side of the goal.

United, who wanted an earlier penalty after Marouane Fellaini was brought down by Craig Gardner, finally had a spot-kick when Berahino handled Antonio Valencia's cross on the edge of the box.

Referee Anthony Taylor only decided the contact was in the area after a conversation with his linesman, but it proved to be irrelevant as Myhill superbly dived down to his left to deny Van Persie.

The Netherlands striker drew one more fine save from the Albion keeper in stoppage time, and the visitors showed the resolve they had displayed all game to cling on at the end.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said: "We knew in advance that they'd park the bus, we have to deal with that.

"In the second half we had enough chances - you have to finish. It's now the third match we have lost in a row. We have to take care of that. It's very difficult."

West Brom manager Tony Pulis: "You need to be organised, resilient and have a bit of luck. We had that in abundance.

"It takes a lot of work and commitment from the players - 90 per cent of it is dealing with people off the ball.

"I don't think it was a penalty. The referee was 60 yards away the linesman was 10 yards away and gives a corner, so I don't know how that happens."

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