West Brom 2-2 Manchester United as it happened

1. Blind levels from 20 yards out
2. Berahino took advantage of high defensive line
3. Fellaini scored moments after coming on
4. Sessegnon hit fine shot from outside box
5. BBC Radio 5 live commentary on this page

I'm not so sure, Peter. Who knows? It will most certainly be a quality game. That's your lot from us tonight, but we'll be back tomorrow for some Champions League football.

And don't be caught out by the early start - Manchester City's game in Russia kicks off at 17:00 BST.

Until then, goodnight.

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Peter Collins: Just a thought. Without Costa to finish, could Utd actually beat Chelsea if the latter is wasteful? Would shut some people up!

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Adam in Edinburgh: Echoes of Moyes from LVG there. United's defensive display was woeful and the attack was nowhere near as good as previous games. RVP needs to be dropped for the next game against Chelsea, their back line will easily cope with him right now meandering around the box doing nothing.

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Kershaw16rob: I'm quite ambiguous as to Van Gaal's choice of words. I think it should really go down as one of their least worst.

How's stat?!

• Manchester United equal their Premier League club record from 1996, by remaining winless in six successive away matches and have drawn four of their last five away matches in the PL (W0-D4-L1).
• Angel Di Maria provided the assist for Marouane Fellaini - he has now provided 18 assists in league matches in 2014, which is four more than any other player from all of France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands and England's top leagues (Messi and Tadic both have 14).
• Daley Blind's goal came in the 87th minute - United's previous latest goal in a PL match this season was in the 62nd minute (Falcao against Everton).

Player reaction

EPA

Manchester United goalscorer Marouane Fellaini speaking to BBC Sport after the game: "I don't think it was a good result for us because the next two games will be difficult. The manager asked me to put pressure on the box and to keep fighting. I did and I managed to score.

"In the second half, the style was more aggressive and we looked better. I have waited a long time to score my first goal and I hope to score more goals for Manchester United.

"We offered too much space in defence but next week is a big game and we have to learn to focus for the whole game. We know we have a problem with the balance between defence and attack but we play and train all day to get better. It is a big game for us (against Chelsea) and we have to win. I am determined to get things right - that's why we play football."

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Liam in Stockport: The fact about United is that they haven't even played any of the big boys yet and still have won only 3 games this season. Another miserable season beckons.

Manager reaction

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "I had already decided to bring Marouane Fellaini on after 30 minutes. I said to him to watch Ander Herrera because I wanted him to play and he made an impression straight away. Herrera has played normal - not very good but it was normal.

"We also have to look for physical balance and maybe that is our problem. I am always looking for creative players and in England you need physical players as well, maybe Fellaini brings that. We could do better with our philosophy and we are improving now the players are beginning to understand our formation and philosophy more, which is why it's such a shame that they didn't get a result tonight.

"It's not too good after eight games but when you see the games we are normally the better team but we have eight points too few."

That was Manchester United's best performance of the season, according to Louis van Gaal. I'm not so sure. What do you think?

'Man Utd's best match of the season'

AFP

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "I'm very disappointed because we played our best match of the season and the result is not good enough.

"We could have won but that does not count in our world, but I also have to be happy because we created lots of chances and West Brom only had two chances. We gave it away which is a pity because we could have had a new start if we had won today.

"There were individual errors and they were forced because West Brom were playing more narrow in midfield and we had to push up, I have to look back at the goals because it is difficult from the bench. Maybe our lateral defenders have to close the space more."

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Dave Hemming: To be fair if Man U keep playing like that they're probably not going to be relegated. #bbcfootball

Manager reaction

AP

West Brom manager Alan Irvine, speaking to BBC Sport: "I'm disappointed - we were so close to getting a fantastic result and for us to be in our dressing room feeling bitterly disappointed is a feeling we won't experience much. We thought the three points were there for the taking.

"I felt as though we did use the ball well at times and created opportunities. We scored two fantastic goals with two fantastic moves. They are a great group to work with, Saido Berahino has good role models here. He is a good finisher with both feet and is very composed in those situations, I wasn't surprised when he scored.

"I enjoyed tonight and I'm enjoying the job, the players are so responsive. We're making progress and I can't praise them enough for how they've reacted since I came to the club."

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Gray from Doncaster: Man Utd look good going forward, terrible defending and they have played six out of the bottom eight. I think they will be found out by the top teams.

Player reaction

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West Brom's Chris Brunt, speaking to BBC Sport after the game: "It's disappointing that we couldn't hold on, they had the ball for a lot of the game and we had to defend well. We had our game plan and we looked dangerous on the break, on another day we could have had three points but we had them on the rack with a few minutes to go.

"With the quality Manchester United have they were always going to look dangerous, we have shown how well we can play over the last few weeks and there's hopefully more to come.

"When you're on the back foot for so much of the game you get heavy-legged when you do get the ball, but we did take our chances, credit to the lads because we dug in well. We're a good solid team and we work hard for each other.

"Saido (Berahino) is a fantastic finisher, it's the sign of a good striker and he is reaping the benefits of his hard work. The sky's the limit for him this season."

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John in Belfast: 'Lump it up to the big guy'. LVG really is a genius.

Player reaction

West Brom midfielder Craig Gardner: "It was a great team performance, it's a shame we couldn't hold on. We will take the positives out of tonight and move on for the weekend. We're improving all the time and showing what we're about as a team."

Striker Saido Berahino: "I thought we did really well to get the second goal and we were so disappointed to concede. I knew if I stayed focussed I would have opportunities to score tonight. I'm just letting my football do the talking and I know the goals will keep coming."

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Alex Corps: Man Utd are a point behind Liverpool and a point ahead of Arsenal. Remember that when judging performance. Not bad for 3 months.

Full-time stats

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BBC Radio 5 live

Tonight on 5 live's football social, Mark Chapman and the team are asking if tonight's result has changed your #LVGReport.

Also tonight, how do you solve a problem like Taarabt? What should QPR do with the allegedly overweight Moroccan? And should players who don't go down be rewarded for staying on their feet?

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Robbie Savage

BBC Radio 5 live

"Going forward United look brilliant but from a defensive point of view both their goals were terrible. Away from home Van Gaal is not good enough tactically, defensively it just isn't good enough.

"The second goal was so poor, there was so much space in the defence. When they get the ball wide and in to the box they looked threatening and always looked like they had a goal in them."

BBC

Manchester United look disappointed as they leave the field, too. Both sides will feel they might have nicked it.

FULL-TIME

West Brom manager Alan Irvine looks like he's lost a pound and found a penny. But he's got to be proud of the Baggies once the disappointment has dissipated.

YELLOW CARD

West Brom break and, as Youssouf Mulumbu skins Marcos Rojo on the halfway line, the defender brings down the midfielder. Booking. But United can get men back.

Man Utd win a free-kick on the halfway line. Launched forward and it's cleared. Somehow.

Hoof. United hammer the ball forward and Marouane Fellaini causes all sorts of problems before Daley Blind's shot is charged down.

Craig Dawson blocks off Ashley Young, but Man Utd win a corner. Punched clear by the keeper and Daley Blind lashes the rebound wide.

INJURY TIME

Four minutes of injury time announced as Marouane Fellaini's weak shot is gathered by the keeper.

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Jack Blackburn: What a strike from Blind. He was a steal at the price. Contributes all over the field.

Ashley Williams: Passing the ball into the net from 20 yards.Really? Myhill should be ashamed to let that in

Andrew Morris: What a finish by Danny Blind. Quality. There's hope!

Robbie Savage

BBC Radio 5 live

"What a finish from Blind, there were three West Brom players trying to close him down but there was no chance of stopping it as he opened his body for the shot. There were so many numbers in the box and it was a fantastic finish from Blind. You have to say Manchester United deserved their equaliser."

GOAL

The masters of late, late goals do it again - and haul themselves level at a crestfallen Hawthorns. Rafael's cross is cleared as far as Daley Blind on the edge of the box and the Netherlands international takes his time before bending a low, precise shot beyond Boaz Myhill in the West Brom goal.

AFP/GETTY

SUBSTITUTION

Stephane Sessegnon, who almost broke the back of the net in putting West Brom in front for a first time, is given a hero's reception as he ambles off to be replaced by Youssouf Mulumbu.

I seem to remember even Manuel Pellegrini struggling to get to grips with Premier League away games when he came to England. Is there a 'knack' of winning on the road that comes with experience of the league?

YELLOW CARD

Manchester United's Daley Blind is booked for the second time this season, this time for a bit of a hack at Stephane Sessegnon.

Manchester United appear to be running out of ideas and a corner is wastefully headed well wide by Marcos Rojo.

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Boxer Anthony Ogogo on Twitter: How United could do with a Jaap Stam or Steve Bruce. Hell, even a 2014 version of David May would walk into that team.

Robbie Savage

BBC Radio 5 live

"With all of the money Manchester United have spent this summer, to lose away from home against a side that isn't a Chelsea, isn't a Manchester City and a side that won't challenge for anything this season, is that acceptable?"

Andre Wisdom, who is on loan from Liverpool at West Brom, cracks a shot over the bar. West Brom continue to battle for every ball - underlined by playmaker Stephane Sessegnon, who is really tracking back to help the Baggies midfield now.

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Denise Hale: Balotelli or Berahino? Why didn't Liverpool buy Berahino?

Robbie Savage

BBC Radio 5 live

"What a game we've had tonight, two teams have gone for it and it's been a great advert for the Premier League."

SUBSTITUTION

Another change for Manchester United - this time Ashley Young coming on for a hobbling Angel Di Maria. The ex-Villa winger is booed by the home supporters.

HITS THE WOODWORK

Robin van Persie has had a quiet night, but he bursts into life and almost levels the scores with a snap-shot which hits the inside of the post and somehow rolls to safety. The follow-up is blazed over the bar.

SUBSTITUTION

Who's got Saido Berahino in their fantasy football team? Good work. For those who haven't, it's that age-old quandary of wondering whether he'll stop scoring the minute you transfer him in.

Manchester United make a change - sending on Radamel Falcao for Juan Mata.

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Ahmet: Where is RVP? Is he on the pitch? He has been DREADFUL. I think he is finished as a top striker.

Colin Reardon: Is RvP playing for #MUFC tonight?

Louis Strong: Has RVP even touched the ball this half? Time for another tactical sub with Falcao, LVG?

Did anybody else notice Rafael screaming at Saido Berahino in a last-ditch attempt to put the striker off as he pulled the trigger? Not that it worked much...

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Tom Holmes: Rafael all over the place, absolutely shambolic offside trap. Pitiful. But class personified from Berahino.

West Brom 2-1 Man Utd

Robbie Savage

BBC Radio 5 live

"You could get four articulated lorries and a jumbo jet between that Manchester United back four. He's bent it into the corner, a great finish but defensively there were huge gaps in that back four, with Rafael playing everyone onside."

GOAL

Saido Berahino, what a striker! The West Brom youngster races on to a defence-splitting pass and outstrips Rafael for pace before opening up his body and slotting a fine finish from David De Gea. A finish Michael Owen would have been proud of. The Baggies are back in front.

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The sweat is pouring off Marouane Fellaini. He's only been on for 20 minutes, although it must be hot underneath that barnet of his.

PA

How's stat?!

Fancy some stats? Of course you do...

• Marouane Fellaini failed to score with any of his 18 shots for Manchester United in the whole of 2013-14 (all comps), but he scored with his first in 2014-15.
• Fellaini's goal came just 2:35 minutes after coming on for Man Utd; the second fastest goal by a sub in the PL this season.
• Sergio Aguero's goal 23 seconds after coming on for Man City v Liverpool is the quickest.

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Sandra Marsh: As a joint #MUFC and Chelsea fan I know about good man management. Moyes was a weight on Fellaini. Now he is gone he can shine

The home supporters are furious that the referee fails to see Rafael handling the ball when the Baggies would have been in. United surge up the other end and Adnan Januzaj wins a free-kick which is swept in by Angel Di Maria and headed clear by a Baggies defender. Getting spicy now.

West Brom 1-1 Man Utd

Robbie Savage

BBC Radio 5 live

"They are absolutely battering West Brom at the minute. United's fans can sense. It's attack after attack and great play from United."

Manchester United are flying forward at every opportunity now and Craig Gardner has to make a crucial interception in his own penalty area, before Andre Wisdom finds himself in the right place at the right time to clear Rafael's dangerous pass across the face of goal.

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Joe in London: Fellaini 2.0 looks alright eh?

BBC

Wondering who runs the official West Brom Twitter account? Just look for the person with the reddest face inside The Hawthorns right about now.

Hang on a minute, Charles... I'm fairly certain Ed Woodward didn't sign a cheque for all that money just for a second-half leveller at West Brom.

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Charles Kahanji: £27.5million transfer fee repaid.

Marouane Fellaini is playing as a striker since coming on and a cross from the left is just taken from his head before it has chance to ripple the onion bag. It's all United now.

That was Marouane Fellaini's first goal for Manchester United. What a time to smash one in.

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West Brom 1-1 Man Utd

Robbie Savage

BBC Radio 5 live

"It's a great goal. A fantastic goal. You have to question if there was a push on Lescott but he has taken it on his chest and buried it into the top corner. You can't question the technique to bring it down and do that."

GOAL

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AFP/GETTY

An inspired substitution? Louis van Gaal will be claiming it is, as Marouane Fellaini picks up a cross from Angel Di Maria on the edge of the box, brushes aside Joleon Lescott and then smashes a thunderous shot into the back of the net.

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Vince in Posh: Berahino has all the traits of Jermaine Defoe. Wisdom looks like he should be starting for Liverpool. Van Persie looking a shadow of his former self and Di Maria looks truly world class like Sessegnon's goal. Dorrans must get closer to Di Maria or he will hurt them big time.

Adam in Brighton: Van Persie is and has not been good enough for too long now. He shouldn't be starting games.

KICK-OFF

As suspected, Marouane Fellaini is summoned by Louis van Gaal. What do you make of that United fans? The big Belgian replaces Ander Herrera. Back under way.

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What are your favourite kind of goals?

Tony Camps: Roberto Di Matteo vs Middlesborough an absolute screamer in off the crossbar and after only 43 seconds of the game!

Charles 'CR7' Rigden: My favourite type of goal is a long range screamer from a surprising source. For example Erik Edman for spurs. Silenced Anfield

Michael Blighe: As a Newcastle fan I'm a big fan of goals. Just goals. Any goals. Please?

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Nick, Salford: This is as poor as anything served up during Moyes's time. Unimaginative. Single paced. Mata, Van Persie and Herrera so poor. Luke Shaw appalling.

Mich in Leeds: Central midfield trio for Man Utd have been poor. Di Maria been their best player by far.

West Brom 1-0 Man Utd

Robbie Savage

BBC Radio 5 live

"Who hasn't been in the game? Mata has not been able to get into it. Would he go with Fellaini in behind van Persie and go direct?

"Overall in that first half, United were poor and Rojo at the back was all over the place. It has been a great game and the only time United have looked threatening is if West Brom didn't get back into their two banks of four quickly. So they can't switch off."

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Half-time stats

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As the teams left the field, Louis van Gaal was in deep discussion with Marouane Fellaini, and he signalled to the Belgian that he might be making a change in the second half...

HALF-TIME

What must worry Manchester United fans is that scorelines like this are no longer a massive surprise...

Robbie Savage

BBC Radio 5 live

"Just there we had a free-kick in an attacking area and Blind had his arms all over Craig Gardner when it comes in. What's the difference between that and Ryan Shawcross yesterday? The only thing is that Gardner doesn't fall over. If you give one you have to give them all."

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Barry: Spurs once bought a left-back from Southampton. Always got caught out of position, played 24 games before he was ever on a winning side. Who was it now??

Barry, are you suggesting Luke Shaw will be playing up front for Real Madrid in about four years?

West Brom 1-0 Man Utd

Robbie Savage

BBC Radio 5 live

"If they don't win tonight it is unacceptable, isn't it, when you look at those games - Leicester, Sunderland, West Brom. People say you need time to settle but look at Southampton.

"These are top players. Southampton have done it, why can't United?"

West Brom with a free-kick out wide and it's swung in towards an unmarked Joleon Lescott who has to arch his neck back to make full contact and his subsequent header fails to work the keeper.

Reuters

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Roseanne: My favourite type of goal is where the player contorts his body into an unnatural angle and bangs it into the goal.

Sportstweet: I'm partial to team goals but some wonder strikes are just the best thing ever (see also Bergkamp '98).

Stephen Vincent: I've always been a sucker for long range shots out of nothing, preferably smacking the crossbar on their way into the goal.

YELLOW CARD

James Morrison gets the dubious honour of being the first player into the book this evening, for a foul on the edge of the box. United have a free-kick in a decent position but Juan Mata dinks it over the bar.

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Ben, Wirral: I hate to sound like a hopeless optimist, but at least Utd look much more positive than last season. Clutching at straws maybe?

Kevin in Dunstable: If the scoreline stays the same, Chelsea will have double Man U's points total after 8 games. 22-11 (Crisis?)

Angel Di Maria pings a superb cross into the box from out wide, but no United forward is there to turn it home. That was tailor-made for a little Mexican striker now plying his trade in Spain.

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You might be right about that, Akinpelu (see tweet below). I always love a good goal of the season competition - but what's your favourite type of strike? A team goal? A 50-yard dribble and finish? A stupendous volley?

Got to admit, I'm a sucker for a long-range shot which goes in off the bar. Tony Yeboah-style.

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Kyun Ngui: Huge gap in front of defence with no covering midfielder. Neither Blind nor Herrera seems natural DMs

Ashley Williams: Utd looking predictable. No cutting edge. Side to side passing. I thought LVG was their saviour?

Akinpelu Kayode A: I reckon we'll need the assistance of 1000 super-computers in picking the goal of the season by May 2015.

Angel Di Maria always looks like a man who can make things happen, and the little Argentine lashes a swerving shot at Boaz Myhill who can only parry the ball.

Replays show that the club record signing purposefully sliced his foot through that shot, imparting the spin which almost deceived Myhill. Class.

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matt don 123: Luke Shaw not looking worth 30p let alone £30m.

Andrew Morris: It's been a long time since I've felt concerned every time a side attacks Man Utd this season. Need defensive reinforcements badly.

Jas Grewal: Shaw's positioning is so poor, he's been everywhere but in the left-back position

Robbie Savage

BBC Radio 5 live

"Another problem for Man Utd is when they signed Luke Shaw from Southampton, he was this marauding left-back but when you have Di Maria in front of you, you can't play as aggressively going forward and I think you lose something from Luke Shaw's game."

AFP/GETTY

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Leicester's West Brom striker Chris Wood: What a finish!!

QPR midfielder Joey Barton: What a finish that is...

Hull midfielder David Meyler: What a finish by Sessegnon

When Manchester United do find themselves with the ball in the West Brom box, there's seven bodies back to crowd out Adnan Januzaj. It's been a decent start from the hosts.

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Suresh: Baggies actually have a decent team. They have a decent spine now with so much pace in Berahino and Sessegnon. I actually went for 4-2 to Baggies tonight....

Robbie Savage

BBC Radio 5 live

"What a game we've got here. A great cross from Morrison. He ran off Blind and the ball into the back post caught Rafael and Jones switched off. A yard nearer, Berahino, and he had a tap-in."

Great wing-play from James Morrison, who puts in a superb cross from the right which Saido Berahino is inches away from converting. If only the young striker was an inch or so taller, the Baggies would be two up.

Who's managed to smuggle that drum in? There's a beat emanating from the stands as West Brom patiently try to build an attack. It's as though both sides have decided to pass the ball a bit more once we passed the 20-minute mark.

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Steve Huish in Surbiton: Is this United side the most expensive side on the pitch in Premier League history?

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Roy Warrington: Not one of the starters tonight played in United's last Champions League final less than three and a half years ago.

It's not just Manchester United who look susceptible to the long ball forward as Daley Blind looks up and pings a pass into the direction of Angel Di Maria, but the Argentine's shot lacks power and the chance goes begging.

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Kuntal Majumdar: He wont hit any better than that.

Prajjwal Panday: Most left-footed team I have seen - 8/11 players

Manchester United can't seem to deal with the simple lump forward. I don't wish to be unkind to the Baggies, who do play some decent stuff, but the goal came from a goal-kick punted forward and this time Craig Dawson launches the ball upfield where Marcos Rojo has a torrid time against Saido Berahino. The ball eventually breaks loose to James Morrison on the edge of the area, but the midfielder finds Row Z.

PA

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Peter Collins: So... Want to change any of those grades Robbie?

Frustrating for Manchester United as Adnan Januzaj finds himself crowded out down the right and eventually runs the ball out of play.

It's boing boing all the way in the stands as Baggies fans soak up their side's wonderful start. Is there a louder ground in the country than when the West Brom fans are in full voice? There aren't many, that's for sure.

Robbie Savage

BBC Radio 5 live

"Angel Di Maria thought United would win the ball and committed to go forward and then they were suddenly on the back foot which meant Wisdom had space. It's harsh to blame Di Maria but he left the flank wide open."

GOAL

The boy from Benin has pulled out a strike from the very top drawer - a long ball from the keeper being flicked out wide for Andre Wisdom who gallops forward down the right and squares for Stephane Sessegnon to lace a first-time shot into the top corner from the edge of the area. Game on.

PA

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Bob: Well West Brom are set up to get something out of this game! Goals, Goals, Goals all the way Man U watch out!

Ahmet: MUFC are asleep, Shaw has been caught out twice already, not looking good

Chad Smith: I'm cheering on the Baggies from Sydney Australia at 6 o'clock in the morning. Here's hoping for all three points!

If Manchester United did lose tonight, they would have the same number of points (11) as they had at the same stage last season under David Moyes.

PA

Manchester United have started sloppily and Stephane Sessegnon is gifted possession 35 yards from goal and really should do better with a throughball in the direction of Saido Berahino which runs through to David De Gea.

Baggies midfielder Graham Dorrans is getting forward early on, as the hosts zip the ball about on a lush green surface. Alan Irvine's men are probing down both flanks without actually getting in behind the Reds.

Robbie Savage

BBC Radio 5 live

"What a confident start by West Brom. United are sitting deep with no real pressure."

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Louis Porter: Hoping for an easy win for once. Too many close calls or goals conceded. Would be happy with a clean sheet and 2 or 3 goals.

Rian Hoskins: While Di Maria and Januzaj provide more width, they like to play centrally so Shaw and Rafael are more likely to take crosses.

Adam Harkens: Excited to this United back four finally together, but worried that they've got the potential to collect tons of cards.

KICK-OFF

Just another manic Monday at The Hawthorns? If this game is anything like those which went before it this over the weekend, it certainly will be.

Capacity crowd? Tick. A bouncing atmosphere under the lights? Tick. Handshakes and pre-match formalities done? Tick.

We're almost set for kick-off. There's just one box left to tick - go and make a quick brew, folks.

Joleon Lescott is already proving to be a good signing for West Brom, and the former Manchester City defender says he is bringing a little bit of the champions' success with him to The Hawthorns by helping out on the training ground.

"It's nice to be playing again," said Lescott. "You get a lot more responsibility and the coaches ask me a lot of questions about how we did things at City.

"It's nice to feel the coaches want my opinion, and want my experience. My time at City and England and stuff like that is very useful."

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In his newspaper interview, Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace also revealed that Albion's wages have increased 10-fold in the 12 years Peace has been in charge.

Now Albion's best-paid player is on £50,000 per week, and Pearce said: "It's more than that, if you chuck a load of bits and pieces in.

"We performance-orientate them. They like to have appearance money. We have a retention-of-status bonus so we stay up, they get a certain amount per point, and that's healthy.

"We have 'flex-downs.' If you get relegated, you have the downside covered on the commitment on the wages."

West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace has been talking about a range of issues this week, including the reasons why the club chose Alan Irvine as their new head coach, rather than Tim Sherwood.

In an interview with the Express and Star, Peace said: "We first met Alan first in 2009, he came through our interview process very strongly.

"Tim's got a lot of strengths but we thought with Alan's coaching, given the way we're now structured, with Terry (Burton, technical director) at the top, he'd fit in very well.

"We got a frosty reception from the fan-base but Alan's very thorough. I just hope he gets the rub of the green because it's all so marginal."

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Jay, a Birmingham fan: I would love to see Chris Hughton return to St Andrews for a second spell! He worked wonders last time with a below average team. However, with all the financial restraints at the club now, I don't think we'll see him again down the Blues anytime soon.

How's stat?!

Here are some stats for you to tuck into ahead of tonight's big match at The Hawthorns:

• Manchester United have never lost at West Brom in the Premier League (W7, D1).
• There has only been one draw in their past 18 top-flight meetings at The Hawthorns - the 5-5 draw in May 2013, Sir Alex Ferguson's last game in charge.
• West Brom have only beaten the Reds once in the Premier League (D3, L12).

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We're asking you to rate Louis van Gaal's start to life as manager of Manchester United:

Riccardo Brogelli: I was living in Barcelona while he was manager there. Don't worry, the honeymoon with the press will soon be over and you'll see the ol' obnoxious sarcastic Louis again.

Marc Jones: Arrogance A+

Kisal Munasinghe: With a win, we go fourth, so results are at least B. Also, I see nothing wrong with the attacking philosophy he's trying to impose, so I don't see how Robbie Savage can say 'I can't see one'.

Stoke chairman defends Moses

As mentioned earlier (19:27), Swansea boss Garry Monk said Stoke winger Victor Moses should be "ashamed of himself" for diving on Sunday.

Stoke chairman Peter Coates has just been chatting on BBC Radio 5 live and says he is very angry about Moses being called a cheat and said the player went down at speed.

He is also furious with John Hartson's criticism of Moses on BBC Match of the Day 2 and says the former striker spoke like a Swansea fan.

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Radamel Falcao is warming up, despite being named on the Manchester United subs' bench. I'm sure he doesn't mind, though - it's not every day you get to sit on the bench at the highest football ground in England on a night when the remnants of ex-hurricane Gonzalo are making their way across the UK.

AP

Wayne Rooney has been copping some stick in recent months. There are those who think his performances don't merit his inclusion in either the Manchester United nor the England team, yet the striker has been given full support by his former team-mate, Michael Owen.

"What hasn't he done?" Owen said. "He's won the league numerous times, he's scored dozens of goals, he's breaking records for Manchester United and England possibly.

"He's probably going to go on to be the all-time goal-scorer for England, get the all-time appearance record and I'm sure he'll have a good go at beating some long standing records at United as well.

"So 100 caps for your country, winning Premier Leagues and things like that, I don't know what more there is for him to achieve."

When you put it like that, Michael...

Join the debate at #LVGReport

We're asking you to rate Louis van Gaal's start to life as manager of Manchester United:

Scott Hislen: Signings B+, Tactics B, Attacking play A, Defence C+, Mentality A+ & more importantly Perception A+. Look a big club again.

Siddharth Verma: He gets a 'B' just for getting rid of Bebe, Nani and Cleverley. 'A' for using the word 'philosophy' in every interview.

Podolski emphatically denies Spurs move

Do you follow BBC Sport on Twitter? You might have seen earlier that we sent out a tweet promoting our Gossip Column which said Arsenal's Lukas Podolski, 29, could be a target for Tottenham in the next transfer window.

Well, guess what. That's unlikely to happen. Check out Podolski's response to the tweet: "Hell will freeze over before this transfer would happen."

That ends that story then.

The Victor Moses incident

Robbie Savage

BBC Radio 5 live

"I've seen lots of decisions like this one this season, if Victor Moses dives to the floor with no contact whatsoever you can say he cheated but there is a picture of Rangel pulling his shirt. I saw Frank Lampard go down far too easy at the weekend but I haven't seen anyone coming out to slate Frank.

"Another example is how Mo Diame pulled back the shirt of Mathieu Flamini on Saturday, if he had gone down Arsenal would have probably be given a free-kick and not conceded a goal. I think it's extremely harsh to single out Victor Moses when he was entitled to go down."

Monk's comments about Moses

Moving briefly away from matters at The Hawthorns, there's been a lot said and written following yesterday's game at Stoke where Swansea manager Garry Monk accused Victor Moses of being a "cheat" and diving to win a penalty in his side's defeat at the Britannia Stadium.

"It was an absolute disgusting decision from the referee," said Monk. "He is supposed to be a professional referee at the highest level. He's the only guy who thought it was a penalty. Everyone in the stadium was amazed.

"How he can't see it is a blatant dive is beyond me."

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Suheil Patel: A real banana skin of a game for United. Seems like LVG wants to avoid a Pogba and starts Januzaj

Nicholas Richards: Glad Phil Jones is back and Januzaj is getting a start.

Joel Sparks: That MUFC team looks far more balanced than any other XI LVG has put out this season.

Fernando Caviedes: No Falcao? When he actually gave Man Utd the winning goal against Everton - poor decision, I was hoping to see him play.

Louis van Gaal. Rebel.

Getty Images

Manager's view

AFP

West Brom manager Alan Irvine speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: "It's a great stage and a fantastic opportunity for all of our players, it's ideal for the players to show what they can do against top level opposition in a great stadium and on a great platform. He (Van Gaal) won't be happy with that side of the performance (5-3 defeat by Leicester) but I've said before I feel them getting better and I feel they're improving all the time."

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We asked Birmingham fans who you want as your next manager after Lee Clark was sacked today:

Edd Wilkinson: Realistically I'd like Gary Rowett or Steve Clarke, as Pulis is out of our league. Rowett knows the club, doing well at Burton and is young, with fresh ideas. Clarke didn't do much wrong at WBA.

#LVGReport

Robbie Savage

BBC Radio 5 live

"I think a good judgement time will be after the next month, they have some very tough games coming up. I don't believe they've played anyone yet so the next set of games will be a good time to judge them.

"They haven't won away from home, they went out of the cup to MK Dons so I don't actually think he's doing that well so far.

"They started the season with five at the back but changed it to four at half-time, they've tried so many formations and they haven't all worked. I've seen most of United's games this season and although he changes things tactically he hasn't changed a game as a result."

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Ben Goodwin: Media should be an F since he never takes responsibility for anything that goes wrong he always has something else to blame it on. Like Pardew.

Jack Pm: He said "I've seen no philosophy" and yet he gives him a C for philosophy. I wish Robbie Savage marked my A-level exams.

JP de Villiers: Considering where United are on the table ATM, I think it's going pretty good but could be better. Doing a lot better then last season - that's for sure. There is no doubt in my mind, that we will have a European spot, whether that be Europa League or Champions League.

LvG's faith in youth

PA

Louis van Gaal has surprised some observers with his faith in Manchester United's young players - particularly the likes of Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair - and the Reds boss says he will continue to raid the youth ranks if he doesn't get the required performances out of his senior men.

"I think Paddy McNair has done fantastically in the two matches he has played," said van Gaal. "We have good youth players and we have showed that already, not only with McNair but also with Blackett, for example, and also with (Jesse) Lingard.

"Nobody is walking back into my team, believe me. You have to earn it on the training ground, but every player knows that. Believe me, it is not only (about) the name. Our youngest player McNair was outstanding in our last match."

BBC

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Jonathan Taylor: Yeah agree with most of Savage's ratings. B for signings, and B for media. Could do better, as they say.

The Baggies insider

West Brom defender Sebastien Pocognoli knows all about Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, having won the Dutch league title under him while at AZ Alkmaar in 2008-09.

"I was very young when I went to AZ Alkmaar, I was 19 years old, and I worked for two years under him," Pocognoli told the official West Brom website.

"He helped my formation as a footballer, pass-control-pass, tactically, because defensively I was not so strong. And also my personality because he likes players with personality.

"He's not only a good trainer but he's also a good human being. For me, he (Van Gaal) was very important because I was young. I don't know if I worked with him now whether I would be the same, but when I was 19/20 years of age, all that he said I tried to do."

Manchester United fans will get to see if Radamel Falcao has an impact off the bench tonight as Adnan Januzaj is preferred in the starting XI.

That is one of three changes as Phil Jones takes the place of Patrick McNair following the win over Everton and Ander Herrera is is in for Antonio Valencia. United have a history of goals on this ground - scoring at least two in each of their last 10 league visits.

West Brom will be without goalkeeper Ben Foster who sustained a calf injury in training ahead of this one.

In comes Boaz Myhill who has not played in the league since December of last year. Andre Wisdom is the only other change. The man on loan from Liverpool takes the place of Cristian Gamboa who is among the home substitutes.

BreakingBREAKING TEAM NEWS

West Brom: Myhill, Wisdom, Lescott, Dawson, Pocognoli, Gardner, Brunt, Morrison, Dorrans, Sessegnon, Berahino. Subs: Daniels, Gamboa, McAuley, Mulumbu, Blanco, Ideye, Anichebe.

Radamel Falcao is on the bench for Manchester United tonight - Phil Jones, Adnan Januzaj and Ander Herrera all start.

Man Utd: De Gea, Rafael, Jones, Rojo, Shaw, Blind, Herrera, Januzaj, Mata, Di Maria, van Persie. Subs: Lindegaard, Smalling, Carrick, Fellaini, Fletcher, Young, Falcao.

To be fair, Louis van Gaal has since said it was "stupid" to tell people to judge him on his first three months at Old Trafford. But that's not going to stop us having a bit of fun tonight, is it?

With his initial three-month period in charge up, Manchester United are sixth in the Premier League after two losses.

"It was very stupid to say three months because then the media are only talking about three months," Van Gaal, 63, said. "It is always the performance that counts, but the performance always goes up and down."

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Paul Humphreys: Mr Savage needs a visit from Ofsted (18:41). Man Utd go 4th with a win tonight so results 'B' and philosophy is attractive attacking football so 'A'.

MOTD's Conor McNamara at The Hawthorns

"Judge me after three months," announced Louis van Gaal when he arrived at Old Trafford with Brazilian sand still between his toes from the World Cup. Those three months have passed. Only three competitive games have been won. As honeymoons go it has been tough; a large transfer dowry has been badly needed.

"United spent the international break inside the Premier League top four - occupying a Champions League qualifying spot for the first time in more than a year. Victory at West Brom would mean a first away win in the job for Van Gaal, who has so far travelled to Sunderland, MK Dons, Burnley and, most recently, Leicester without success."

Blues sack Clark

Getty Images

Before we crack on, just a few miles from The Hawthorns Birmingham City sacked manager Lee Clark and his assistant Steve Watson today.

Blues, 21st in the Championship, have placed first-team coach Richard Beale and chief scout Malcolm Crosby in temporary charge at St Andrew's.

Who would you like to see replace Clark, Birmingham fans? You know the drill...

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Good evening everybody, and welcome to BBC Sport's coverage of Manchester United's trip to West Brom. I'd say it's Louis van Gaal's latest examination, but I'm going to quit with the school-related quips and leave them to you. That's because we're going to spend the next half hour or so collecting them from you.

We want you to tell us what grade should be applied to Louis van Gaal's three-month report card - and why.

Get in touch on Twitter using #LVGReport, send us a text on 81111 (UK only - please let us know your names), or post a comment on the BBC Sport Facebook or Google+ pages.

And here's how Robbie Savage rates Louis van Gaal. Listen to Robbie's full report on the Manchester United manager on BBC Radio 5 live in the build-up to tonight's game, between 7pm and 8pm (BST)

BBC

Well, Louis van Gaal did say to judge him after his first three months in charge at Manchester United, so below is his autumn term report card...