Manchester United sitting deep so far in this second half - two banks of four as West Brom try to pick a way through. A Rondon foul brings some respite...

Image source, AP

We're back. What'll it be then - a step towards safety for West Brom, or a gritty result to bolster United's top-four aspirations? We shall see...

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Undoubtedly my favourite conspiracy theory of the weekend...

Sandro

Keep your thoughts coming on Twitter using the hashtag #bbcfootball or via text on 81111 (UK only).

If anyone deserves a 15-minute rest and a tangy half-time orange then it is Albion right-back Craig Dawson. The lad has charged up and down that right touchline more than the linesman. 

Dawson has touched the ball on 41 occasions, which is comfortably more than any other Baggies player. And the former England Under-21 man came the closest to opening the scoring with his dipping 25-yard effort seconds after Juan Mata's dismissal.

Image source, Opta

Here's a bit of half-time fun for you - the West Brom team sheet below has managed to spell the names of no fewer than five of their players wrong. Spot them all to win this top-of-the-range VHS. Only joking - just for your own personal satisfaction...

Incidentally, that's Mike Dean's seventh red card of the season - more than any other referee. 

Not sure he had any option with that one, mind you...

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Chris Ward: Arguably United's most creative player lost in 25 minutes? Can't have any complaints, gave the referee a decision to make.

Paul in Camrbidge: Mike Dean needs to learn about red cards. That's two in this fixture and the reverse he has wrong. 

Joe Walker-Stack in Lichfield: Poor challenge by Mata, he shouldn't have done it, deserved red card.

You can get in touch on Twitter using the hashtag #bbcfootball or via text on 81111 (UK only).

Despite playing almost half of the, er, half with a man down, Manchester United have still hogged the ball in that opening 45 minutes.

Albion have grown into the game since Mata's dismissal, which you would expect, but have only managed to muster one solitary shot on target.

Image source, Opta

Salomon Rondon heads the corner clear, and that's half time. United down to 10 men, but hanging on in there so far.

Oh, great feet from Jesse Lingard sees escape his security detail on the left flank and make it all the way into the penalty area, but his attempted cut-back is deflected behind.

Berahino pokes through to Rondon, and Chris Smalling gets across to shut the door just as the Venezuelan winds up for a shot. United hanging on a bit...

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Our chums over at Opta have been in touch to provide some interesting stats about Mata's dismissal.

Those two moments of madness have resulted in the Spain international being sent off for the first time in his Premier League career.  

And it also means it is the quickest sending off for two yellow cards since Swansea compatriot Chico in April 2014.

Salomon Rondon is having a right old tussle with Chris Smalling this afternoon. He holds off the defender's attentions well and gets the ball to Craig Gardner, who knocks it past a defender and goes down. He wants a foul, Mike Dean says no, but doesn't book him for diving either. Had to be one or the other there, surely...

Image source, PA

United aren't lying down here. Lingard smuggles the ball into Anthony Martial in the penalty area, but Craig Dawson, who has had a great first half, makes a crucial tackle.

Robbie Savage
Former Leicester City midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

"You can see even with the man advantage, West Brom won't change how they play and what they do. They won't take any risks so not too much will change for United."

Nice from West Brom. Floated long to Saido Berahino, chested down by the striker and Stephane Sessegnon hits low skiddy shot which makes David De Gea work. Good link up from the West Brom duo.

Ankur Goel: Red card season is in full swing this weekend. What's the record for most no. of red cards? #bbcfootball

Colin Rearden: #bbcfootball Utter stupidity by Mata. Game ruined as a spectacle after 23 minutes!

Chris Swan: #bbcfootball how do you get a yellow for pulling out of a tackle and making no contact at all, Mike Dean sucked in by the dive?!

Paul Humpheys: Cant believe I'm going to say this but I agree with Robbie Savage. Extremely harsh. Poor refereeing. #mufc #bbcfootball

Keep your thoughts coming on Twitter using hashtag #bbcfootball or text 81111 (UK only). 

Image source, Reuters

Man United fans, here's some cause for optimism. It's been a weekend of teams playing surprisingly well with 10 men: Liverpool coming from behind to beat Palace, Arsenal getting that equaliser against Spurs, even Everton scoring a second and getting a penalty against West Ham. Can Louis van Gaal's side keep that trend going?

Image source, Getty Images

Craig Gardner netted a free-kick in West Brom's last match, and it looks like his set-piece delivery could be an important part of this match too. This time he's on the money from the corner quadrant, sending in a floaty delivery to the back stick which causes panic stations in the United defence. Eventually they scramble it clear.

So, Louis van Gaal and Ryan Giggs really have to earn their corn this afternoon, and immediately there's a change in shape from the visitors. It looks like they're going 4-4-1, with Martial the lone front man and Marcus Rashford on the right.

Image source, Reuters