Manchester United draw again in West Brom stalemate

Manchester United were held to a goalless draw at home with West Brom as they lost ground on their top four rivals.

Tony Pulis set his side up to frustrate United and that’s exactly what they did, getting plenty of men behind the ball and limiting the hosts to very few chances.

It took 67 minutes for either side to have a shot on target, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan seeing a chipped effort saved when he was through on-on-one, while Marcus Rashford later forced a pair of stunning saves with efforts from range.

However despite all of the home side’s possession it was actually West Brom who came closest to scoring when David De Gea spilled Darren Fletcher’s shot onto the crossbar five minutes from time.

The point leaves Manchester United fifth, four points behind neighbours City and six off Liverpool, who have played two games more. West Brom remain eighth.

Groundhog day for Man United. Not for the first time this season, the Red Devils looked short of imagination and quality going forward. Yes they had a number of key players missing – from an attacking sense most notably Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Juan Mata and Paul Pogba – but for a club of their resources injuries and suspensions are no excuse for this performance. They need to find a way of making possession and territory count.

Johhny Evans (West Brom): It was a team effort characterised by organisation from the Baggies, and Evans was central to that, keeping the defence is check against his former club.

30’ – CHANCE! Lingard picks out Martial at the back post, who gets up above Dawson just five yards out, but heads wide.

54’ – CHANCE! The best chance of the game falls to Fellaini as McClean's block means the ball runs straight into his path ten yards out but he hooks his shot wide.

71’ – SAVE! With seemingly nothing on, Rashford tries his luck from range and produces a fin save from Foster, who was at full stretch with the ball moving in the air. .

86’ – OFF THE BAR! Fletcher shoots straight at De Gea from 25 yards but the goalie spills the shot and ends up being saved by his crossbar, which the ball loops onto and bounces out.

88’ – SAVE! Rashford produces a sensational save from Foster with a free-kick from 25 yards which was destined for the top corner.

Manchester United: De Gea 5, Valencia 6, Bailly 6, Rojo 6, Young 5, Carrick 5, Fellaini 6, Mkhitaryan 4, Lingard 6, Martial 5, Rashford 6. Subs: Rooney 5.

West Brom: Foster 7, Dawson 6, McAuley 6, Evans 7, Nyom 6, Livermore 6, Fletcher 6, Brunt 6, Chadli 5, McClean 5, Robson-Kanu 6. Subs: Yacob 6, Morrison 6, Rondon 6.

West Brom have avoided defeat on three of their last four trips to Old Trafford.

United have drawn eight of 15 home Premier League games.

In nine games at Old Trafford this year, United are yet to concede for open play.