6 games. 6 glorious wins. Not completely, but Manchester United often looked like the quick, rapid, world class, title winning club that Old Trafford has seen so often.

At Goodison Park on Sunday, Louis van Gaal's glare was a thing to avoid as United lost for the second time in a row under the Dutchman.

Now they return to Old Trafford on the back of two losses, one heavy to Everton, with the vital task of returning to winning ways. 

While the Reds have struggled in the last weeks, the Baggies have bounced back from three defeats on the trot with four points from their last two games.

TEAM NEWS

Manchester United

Captain Wayne Rooney has been declared fit by Louis van Gaal despite a knee concern at Everton last weekend forced him off early.

However, key midfielder Michael Carrick, who has recently been on the end of plenty of deserved recognition, will remain out of contention with a groin injury.

Jonny Evans cannot make his return to senior club football after his 6 match ban finished because of a sciatic nerve problem

West Brom

Youssouf Mulumbu will return for the Baggies after suspension while Andre Wisdom can return to the squad after he was barred from facing Liverpool due to being on loan from them.

Tony Pulis told press on Friday that he had several injury concerns for his side but refused to name any of them.

PRE-MATCH COMMENTS

Louis van Gaal

"Rooney is fit to play, it was not so heavy as we expected, Wayne is very important for us, so I am very happy. Jones is fit but we have to see his match rhythm, of course. But Shaw has trouble with his groin so he cannot play."

Speaking about an injury to Jonny Evans, van Gaal said: "It is unbelievable. For six weeks he had nothing and he could not play or participate in the selection [due to suspension] and then he had an injury. It is unbelievable, but it is true."

Robin van Persie scored twice for the U21s on Monday on his return from injury, van Gaal said: "He played 80 minutes, and I think that’s good. When you score two goals also, it gives a boost for the confidence of Robin. He can play but we have to wait and see if I let him play, of course."

Tony Pulis 

“Mathematically we are still not safe. The point was a great point against Liverpool - well, the four points - the three against Palace and the one against Liverpool but we still feel we need a couple of points and it’s a tough run-in for us.

“The four games we’ve got left are very, very difficult games. You can rightly say we’ll be underdogs in every game.

“So we need to pick up some points.”

“The thing with this league is that nobody packs it in, everybody keeps going. I’m sure Sean Dyche will be saying that to the lads at Burnley and Chris Ramsey will be saying that to the lads at QPR.

"While there’s that chance it is that spirit and commitment that this country is renowned for when you are up against it.

“Nobody gives in.”

On his opposition, Pulis said: 

“It’s a wonderful football club, one of the great clubs in the world, a beautiful stadium and they have some fantastic players,” said Pulis.

“So embrace it. To have the opportunity and the chance to perform at Old Trafford... not many people get that opportunity and that chance so they are very fortunate to be in a position to do that.

“The most important thing is once they get there is to express themselves.”

On his opposite number, van Gaal, he said: “Louis has obviously spent a bit of money and brought quite a few players in, I think he has had a year to look at it. The difference from himself and (Jose) Mourinho was that Jose knew the League.

"This is Van Gaal’s first season in the league. Next year he has to come close to winning the league, and I think he’ll know that.

"It’s been great experience for him this year. I’m sure he’ll add a few again players to the squad next year. They’ll want to win it, I see them getting stronger, I don’t see them getting weaker.

“David Moyes didn’t get it (time), but Louis has, most probably on the basis he has been so successful at bigger clubs. He’s won major titles at bigger clubs, so he’s got the experience behind him. He’s earned it by what he’s done elsewhere, that’s a fact of life.

”I felt Moyes was a good choice at the time. The big thing with David, as with anybody else, the first one taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson - it was always going to be difficult. That one person needed time and David didn’t get it.

“I actually spoke to him last week. He is enjoying Sociedad. That’s been brilliant for him to further his career in Spain but I’d like to see him back in England. He’s a top manager and a top fella. It is good to have good British coaches in the Premier League.”

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

West Brom's win at Old Trafford last season is their only victory in the last 21 league meetings (D4, L16).

The Baggies last claimed successive league wins at Old Trafford between 1958 and 1959, when they won three consecutive games there.

Manchester United

United's tally of 40 goals at home is the highest in the Premier League. They have scored at least three times in seven of their last nine home league games.

Defeat would see them lose three successive top-flight matches for the first time since November-December 2001.

The last time they failed to score in three successive league games was between May and August 2007.

The Red Devils have won their last six home league games. It is their best run since a 12-match streak between October 2012 and March 2013.

Wayne Rooney has scored 15 goals in his last 16 Premier League appearances at Old Trafford, compared to one in 17 away from home.

West Brom

West Brom have scored 11 Premier League away goals this term - fewer than any other side.

The Baggies could win back-to-back Premier League away games for the first time since November 2012.

Only three of Saido Berahino's 18 league and cup goals this season have been scored away from home.