Manchester United will be looking to pick up where they left off before the international break as they return to Premier League action to host West Bromwich Albion.

The Red Devils had secured an impressive 3-1 victory at Goodison Park against Everton prior to the interval, and look to put together two successive wins for the first time in the 2019-20 league season.

The visitors, however, will be looking to secure their first win of the season after an abject start that has seen them pick up three points from eight games, all from stalemates.

The availability of Marcus Rashford may well go right up to kick-off, as the forward continues to recover from a shoulder injury that kept him out of England duty. Mason Greenwood may return after a period of illness.

Along with Rashford, Victor Lindelof and Anthony Martial face late fitness tests, as does skipper Harry Maguire.

In good news for United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s pre-match press conference suggests that Alex Telles is “looking good” to return to the squad after a bizarre international break where he returned COVID-19 tests that were negative and positive. His return is set to be a boost for Solskjaer, who will be without Luke Shaw thanks to a hamstring problem.

For West Brom, it appears that former Chelsea full-back Branislav Ivanovic will return, as could Matheus Pereira and Callum Robinson, who all suffered from COVID-19.

The Baggies have also confirmed two players have tested positive for COVID-19, but the club have decided not to reveal whom.

Former United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is in line to make his first start against his boyhood club, after graduating from the club’s academy.

  • Predicted line-ups

Man Utd: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles, Fred, McTominay, Fernandes, Mata, Martial, Rashford

West Brom: Johnstone, Ivanovic, Bartley, O’Shea, Furlong, Gallagher, Livermore, Krovinovic, Townsend, Pereira, Grant

  • Ones to watch

For Manchester United, Alex Telles could make his first Premier League start and the opportunity to secure a starting spot at left-back could allow him to shine on his league debut.

The Brazillian had a superb club debut in the Champions League in October against PSG, but after a positive COVID-19 case and an international break, he is yet to feature in the league for United.

 

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Conor Townsend, another left-back, could be the key man for West Brom on Saturday. The full-back has been prominent for the Baggies this year and has had several strong outings.

Adept at tackling and passing, Townsend could be key on the left as Slaven Bilic’s side look to secure their first victory of the season.

  • What the managers have said

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: (On potentially winning their first home game of the season) “It's something we want to correct, of course: we want to go against West Brom now and get our first home win in the league, hopefully.

“But it's a different sensation now, playing without the fans behind the goal at Stretford End. They know how to score a goal for us.”

Slaven Bilic: (On the potential of beating United at Old Trafford) “It would be massive to go there and win. It’s Manchester United, away at Old Trafford. Is it hard? Yes, of course it is hard, but we have to go there and believe we can get a positive result.

 

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“It’s one of those stadiums you dream of playing at when you are a young child and I’m sure our players would have felt the same. They have the opportunity to play there on Saturday and they will want to put in a good performance and get a good result.”

  • Head-to-head

The last meeting between the two sides was an uninspiring one for United, as West Brom shocked the Reds at Old Trafford with a 1-0 victory, condemning Jose Mourinho’s side to the ignominy of handing their Manchester rivals the Premier League title.

Over the last six meetings, United have won three, West Brom have one two, and the two sides have shared a scoreless draw.

  • Where to watch on TV

The match is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 BST and will be shown live on BT Sport.

 

 

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