Manchester United easily beat West Brom

Premier League, The Hawthorns - West Bromwich Albion 0 Manchester United 3 (Jones 34' Rooney 65' Welbeck 82').

Manchester United came away with a 3-0 victory as West Brom continued their poor form.

United’s first came on 34 minutes when Rafael’s won a foul from Chris Brunt on the corner of the box. Robin Van Persie curled in a fierce cross which Phil Jones headed past Ben Foster.

United then went close with Rafael, and Marouane Fellaini’s header was cleared off the line. West Brom had chances too, as Claudio Yacob and Victor Anichebe sent their efforts wide.

There were appeals from United when Foster handled outside his box to prevent a Van Persie open goal, but the linesman incorrectly ruled in Foster's favour.

In the second half, West Brom started brightly, and Anichebe and Zoltan Gera both went close with shots to De Gea’s left. United doubled their lead on the 65th minute when Rooney headed in Rafael’s cross at the back post. As the game drew to a close, Danny Welbeck curled a shot past Foster seal the victory.

KEY EVENTS

16’ - MULUMBU CLEARANCE - Youssouf Mulumbu clears off the line after Fellaini’s header is deflected off Brunt’s thigh.

29’ - FOSTER SAVE - Januzaj sends in a great cross for Rafael at the back post, and his header is pushed onto the bar by Foster.

34’ - JONES SCORES - Phil Jones powers a header past Foster after Van Persie curls in a fierce cross with a free kick on the edge of the box.

38’ - YACOB CHANCE - Jonas Olsson heads a corner back across the box, but Yacob’s header is just over.

42’ - FOSTER HANDBALL - Foster tries to control a high ball, misses it, and it bounces up and Foster swipes it away with his hand instinctively. Van Persie would have had an open goal, but the referee allows play to continue.

52’ - GERA SHOT - Gera goes close after a one-two with Anichebe. He stabs a shot forward for De Gea to save.

55’ - VAN PERSIE LATE FOUL - Already booked, Van Persie goes in late on Steven Reid and is lucky to escape a second yellow. It was probably the right decision to keep him on.

65’ - ROONEY SCORES - Paying back almost all of his new contract, Rooney heads in Rafael’s cross at the back post after Rooney and Juan Mata combined.

83’ - WELBECK - Rooney slides a ball forward for Welbeck, and he takes one touch to steady himself, and curls a fine shot into the corner with his second.

KEY STATS

Wayne Rooney has scored seven goals in his last six Barclays Premier League starts against West Brom.

Man Utd have won 12 and lost none of the 15 Premier League matches with West Brom.

Manchester United are one of four teams yet to concede a penalty in the Premier League along with Man City, Cardiff and Chelsea.

This was Wayne Rooney’s 210th goal for United.

TALKING POINT

Was David Moyes’ open letter a managerial stroke of genius? Before the letter, Moyes and United struggled against any and every team they played, except Bayer Leverkusen. Now Moyes has written an open letter to fans and won. Will he write another in time for the next match?

MAN OF THE MATCH

Wayne Rooney (Manchester United): While he is increasingly less mobile, his goal and assist proved that United are a better side with him in attack as he is their most consistent performer this season.

PLAYER RATINGS

West Bromwich Albion: Foster 6, Reid 5, McAuley 5, Olsson 6, Ridgewell 5, Yacob 6, Mulumbu 5, Amalfitano 5, Gera 6, Brunt 6, Anichebe 6. Subs: Morrison 5, Sessegnon 5, Berahino 5.

Manchester United: De Gea 7, Rafael 7, Jones 6, Smalling 6, Evra 6, Carrick 6, Fellaini 6, Mata 7, Rooney 8, Januzaj 7, van Persie 6. Subs: Vidic 6, Kagawa 6, Welbeck 7.