On the positive side, this game can only improve.

Neither side has registered a shot on target in the opening 20 minutes.

Image source, Getty Images

Not much to say in terms of the action at the moment, tbh.

United are getting plenty of time on the ball, but the West Brom defenders are sitting deep and there is no space to get in behind.

Samuel Adams: First time I've turned off a Man United game and chosen to watch nothing instead of putting myself through an Herrera dulled United experience.

David Thackeray: I never thought the day would come when I felt sorry for Alan Pardew. What a shambles he has inherited. If he can keep this lot up I'll happily withdraw everything I thought about him.

Image source, Getty Images

United dominating...

Nothing to show for it yet.

Image source, Opta

First proper work the West Brom defenders have had to do.

Ashley Young whips in a lovely cross towards Romelu Lukaku at the far post.

It is a mis-match with left-back Kieran Gibbs covering around back, but the former Arsenal man does superbly to hold off the big Belgian and head the ball to safety.

Image source, AFP

West Brom frontman Salomon Rondon has started the game very well, winning possession back in the middle of the park by dispossessing Nemanja Matic.

It allows the hosts to win their first corner of the game, but Grzegorz Krychowiak's delivery is awful.

Image source, Reuters

Nice from West Brom, breaking free for the first time.

Striker Salomon Rondon holds the ball up well on the halfway line then plays a neat back-heel into the path of the onrushing James McClean.

The Republic of Ireland international delivers a cross to the back post, but Oliver Burke is unable to get anything on it.

Sloppy from West Brom as Jake Livermore gives the ball away deep in his own half and United earn their first corner.

Ashley Young delivers it to the back post, but the big Egyptian Ahmed Hegazi heads the ball away.

Image source, Getty Images

Manager Alan Pardew has his West Brom side organised in a 4-5-1 line-up and they are happy to sit back and let Manchester United have the ball.

The Red Devils are seeing plenty of possession but making few inroads.

Image source, Reuters

Tony Greaves: Regardless of playing styles, with better luck United could have drawn with or even beaten City. City's league to lose though.

AADZ: 4231 just grinds it down to a halt #mufc, external not sure why go that defensive! May not be an easy game to watch

Seth Gogo: Mourinho buys players to suit his defensive/counterattacking game while Pep buys players to suit his tiki-taka game. People who say United have a poor squad don't know what they're saying.

Manchester United, in their red shirts, black shorts and black socks, are setting the tempo early on. They have made a bright start.

Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford link-up for the first time, but the young Englishman cannot keep the ball in play when he gets in behind the Baggies backline.

A false start.

Make that two false starts.

At the third attempt, off we go at The Hawthorns.

Steve Wilson
Match of the Day commentator

"Having stated that Manchester City had'probably' ended United's title hopes,Jose Mourinho now sayshe'd be on holiday, externalif he felt the task was impossible.

"Not quite a contradiction, but you wonder if some Old Trafford elder statesman hasn't had a word to the effect that conceding the crown in December is not the United thing to do.

"If United don't win the title this season, it will be longest break they have had between league titles since the 1967-1993 wait which weighed so heavily on the shoulders of many of Mourinho's predecessors.

"West Brom (league champions in 1920) will have taken great belief fromtheir drawat Anfield.

"Three games under their new boss and only one goal conceded, but none scored - is Pardew really Pulis in disguise?"

Image source, Getty Images

Striker Romelu Lukaku scored a hat-trick for West Brom the last time he played in this fixture.

That was the infamous 5-5 draw in May 2013 - Sir Alex Ferguson's last game in-charge of Manchester United.

David de Gea's figure is matched only by Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak in the five major European leagues.

Daniel Andrews: I expect a huge performance from Utd today. Mata's creativity and Rashford's ability to go past players. I just hope Lukaku got that boot deal and can finish a few!

Black_Alpha: Mourinho needs to trust his players otherwise he should leave United. I think with a full fit squad United are a match for City but we don’t have the strength in depth they have!

Lee: I don’t see a player in the Man Utd squad who could get in Man City’s team.

Kevin Kilbane
Former Everton winger on MOTD2 Extra

When a new manager comes in, sometimes there's a new spark put into the team on the training ground and it's clearly showed on the pitch with this team under Alan Pardew.

Like David Moyes at West Ham, it's about keeping clean sheets but you have to look at what you're doing on the other end as well. I think when you're in a relegation battle, you need to be a bit more expansive and I think that's the message Alan Pardew has delivered to this team.

This will give West Brom supporters hope...

Alan Pardew, along with Stoke boss Mark Hughes, has won three Premier League games against Jose Mourinho. No manager has more.

Can Pardew make it four today?

Sue Smith
Former England forward on MOTD2 Extra

West Brom have had a slight improvement. They are trying to play through the thirds which is different to hoofing it from the back. It will take time for Pardew to instill his philosophy. If they can do that today or not, I am not sure.