West Brom 1-1 Man Utd: 5 talking points as Red Devils held onto disappointing draw

Man Utd will regret two lost points after failing to find a way past relegation fighters West Brom on Sunday.

Mbaye Diagne put the hosts in shock from the start when he led Conor Gallagher’s cross past David de Gea after just two minutes.

United struggled to regain their level, but ultimately did so on the stroke of halftime with a superb volley from Bruno Fernandes.

Referee Craig Pawson then awarded United a penalty in the second half as Harry Maguire fell into the box, only to knock him down after consulting the VAR monitor.

And although United are pushing for a winner, it was West Brom who seemed most likely to score, as the odds came in late at the break.

Harry Maguire then saw his head fall over the post to death as United had to settle for a hard-earned point.

Here are the Hawthorn talking points.

1. Lindelof “mutilated”

The game was barely two minutes old when Victor Lindelof was bullied by Diagne for West Brom’s game opener.

United’s defense fell relatively deep and failed to tighten up as the ball returned to Conor Gallagher for the center.

This left Lindelof isolated in the box to fight for the ball on a loop with the West Brom physical forward, which was ultimately a losing battle.

Diagne got past the muscles of his marker to sneak past him and go home.

Question marks were raised over a potential foul, but the United defender just wasn’t strong enough when it mattered.

Gary Neville summed it up perfectly afterwards, saying: “Lindelof has been maimed.”

2. Lethargic United

Being late so early should have shocked United in life, but they were way below their best throughout the game.

Visitors were leggy and uninspired as West Brom’s mass defense approach stifled and frustrated them.

United couldn’t do anything. Each forward movement invariably ended in a misplaced pass or a heavy touch.

They did a good job reattaching the Baggies, but it took a moment of magic to find the equalizer, and it was that good.

After a wave of stuttering in the last few matches, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will no doubt have worried how hard his team struggled to break down their opponents and how vulnerable they were at the back – especially with a tough run at the back. come.

3. Bruno delivers again

As West Brom appeared to be heading for the half-time break, United found an answer.

Until the 44th minute, they had created very few opportunities.

Even Bruno Fernandes was not at his usual pace, but brought his team back into the game again.

Luke Shaw cut his cross in a decent area, but the ball was slightly behind Fernandes, who had to turn and pivot before unleashing a superb volley from his weaker foot (or shin) in the top corner.

Regardless of the body part that resulted, it was crucial intervention from the Portuguese and further proof – as if one needed one – why he is United’s most important player.

4. Martial is not a large man

We’re starting to think that Anthony Martial might not realize the potential United placed on him when he signed.

After failing to really convince in the role of the main striker, he was moved to the left here, but offered little.

It’s unnatural to him, never really, and he was largely anonymous on the flank.

Defensive work isn’t his bag either, as an effortless attempt to stop a second-half cross showed before he was substituted just past the hour mark.

United undoubtedly look better with Cavani in the middle, which begs the question of where Martial fits into the squad in the short and long term.

5. The title race becomes a wet squib

As Man City rushed towards the title, United needed a win here to hold on with any realistic chance.

But their hopes of making a 21 for 21 for 21 slowly dissipated on a rainy afternoon in the Midlands as they couldn’t find a way to get past Sam Allardyce.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has never presented his side as title contenders – perhaps for good reason – but he will undoubtedly have expected more of his men.

After holding first place momentarily, they didn’t look like a serious challenge, and City could now go 10 points clear if they won their game in hand.

Now it’s up to them to lose.