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Manchester United slumped to a third straight defeat to West Brom put their Champions League qualification hopes in doubt once again.
With Liverpool beating Queens Park Rangers earlier in the day, United had to win to maintain their four-point gap in the race for fourth place. But a frustrating first half saw United unable to break down a stubborn Baggies defence.
After the break, United pushed forward even more, but despite the return of Robin van Persie to the starting line-up, they couldn't find a vital breakthrough.
In the end, it cost them dear. A free-kick was awarded to West Brom on the edge of the United penalty box, and West Brom midfielder Chirs Brunt unleashed a venomous free-kick that took a heavy deflection off Jonas Olsson and wrong-footed David De Gea to find the back of the net.
Chris Brunt's free-kick deflects off Jonas Olsson to beat David De Gea (Getty Images) United went looking for an equaliser, and thought they had it when Antonio Valencia's cross hit Saido Berahino's arm - though whether he was inside the area remains open to debate. Van Persie stepped up to take the penalty, but Boaz Myhill pulled off a fantastic save to secure the victory.
So who performed best at Old Trafford? Click on the gallery below to find out.
Show all 22 1 /22Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Manchester United: David de Gea - 6/10 Was a bystander for most of the match, making a couple of comfortable saves before the freakish goal, which he could do nothing about.
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Antonio Valencia - 6/10 Had little to do defensively but didn't contribute enough in attack, although he almost caught out Boaz Myhill with an audacious effort on the stroke of half-time.
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Chris Smalling - 6/10 Comfortably coped with the threat of lone striker Saido Berahino for most of the match, but his distribution was decidely wayward.
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Paddy McNair - 5/10 Carried the ball out of defence with composure, but was booked for the professional foul on Darren Fletcher which led to the goal.
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Daley Blind - 6/10 Barely tested defensively, but linked up well with Young to provide a threat down the left before making way for Angel Di Maria.
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Ander Herrera - 6/10 Used the ball well as United enjoyed the lion's share of possession, but when he attempted the killer ball it was always repelled by a determined West Brom back line.
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Juan Mata - 5/10 Was frustratingly ineffectual on the right-hand side, having none of the influence he provides when given a freer role.
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Marouane Fellaini - 7/10 His only action of the first half was to be embroiled silly tussle with Claudio Yacob, but gave United a focal point in attack after break, when they finally started to create chances.
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Ashley Young - 7/10 Was United's only potent attacking threat in the first half, setting up chances and having efforts himself, but was forced into a deeper role in the second half.
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Wayne Rooney - 5/10 In a game like this United need Rooney to provide their impetus, but playing in an ever-deeper role the captain was subdued throughout, and struggled to get into the game.
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Robin van Persie - 6/10 On another day he would have scored a hat-trick in a comfortable United victory. Denied time and again by Myhill through little fault of his own, but loses points for his unconvincing penalty.
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings West Bromwich Albion: Boaz Myhill - 9/10 After an unconvincing start was inspired in the second half, denying United time and again and denying Van Persie with a match-winning penalty save.
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Craig Dawson - 7/10 Was given the run around by Ashley Young at moments in the first half, but his commitment personified the visitors' performance.
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Garath McAuley - /10 Was dominant in the air, and sprang into action time and again to provide telling interceptions as United chased the game in the second half.
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Jonas Olsson - 7/10 The greatest finish of all time? Possibly not... Defensively, though, Olsson was superb, forming an imposing partnership with McAuley.
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Joleon Lescott - 8/10 Should have done better with early headed chance, but was impossible to fault defensively to nullify the threat of Juan Mata.
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Craig Gardner - 6/10 On hand to cut out some dangerous looking passes, but such was the nature of the game that he offered little going forward.
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Yousuff Mulumbu - 6/10 Was solid enough as part of the Baggies' engine room in midfield before making way in the latter stages.
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Claudio Yacob - 8/10 Harried and harassed the United midfield throughout, relishing the physical tussles with Fellaini and providing a superb barrier to the defence.
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Darren Fletcher - /10 A triumphant return to Old Trafford: was typically busy and solid and managed to get forward to draw the foul from McNair that led to the goal.
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Chris Brunt - 7/10 Shouldered his defensively responsibilities well to prevent Valencia having a significant impact, and struck the free-kick well for the goal, although it's unlikely to have gone in without Olsson's healping hand.
Manchester United 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 player ratings Saido Berahino - 5/10 Ploughed a lonely furrow as the visitors' lone frontman, struggling to trouble the United defence, before giving away the penalty with a lazy arm in the penalty area.
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