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Rafael knew he was out of ideas when Saido Berahino was through on goal in Manchester United’s 2-2 draw with West Brom , so he resorted to a tactic regularly seen on the school playground rather than in the Premier League.
Berahino powered through the United defence to slot the ball past David de Gea and restore the Baggies’ one goal lead they would hold until the closing stages of the match, when Daley Blind struck to level the scores at 2-2.
Perhaps sensing the worse, Rafael chased back but it was all in vain as the England Under-21 international used his pace to stay out of reach of the Brazilian. Resorting to the last weapon in his locker, Rafael tried shouting just as Berahino pulled the trigger in the hope that he would miss the target. He didn’t.
United’s defensive concerns have been well documented this season, with Louis van Gaal quickly ditching his 3-5-2 formation early in the season. Van Gaal’s problems increased when he suffered a defensive crisis, as Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Tyler Blackett were all unavailable through injury or suspension.
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Show all 23 1 /23West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings Boaz Myhill Deputising for the injured Foster, he was called into action to deny Van Persie moments after West Brom’s opener, before Di Maria stung his palms with a rasping effort on the half-hour mark. Could do nothing to stop either Fellaini or Blind’s equalisers. 6
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings Andre Wisdom The man on loan from Liverpool delivered a pinpoint ball from which Sessegnon fired home to hand West Brom the lead, and showed both solidity and composure in defensive areas. 7
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings Joleon Lescott Unpunished after being caught napping by Januzaj, the former Manchester City man should have scored against his old rivals but instead blazed his header over the bar. Will feel aggrieved having appeared to have been pushed in the build-up to Fellaini’s goal. 6
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings Craig Dawson Starting to form an important partnership alongside Lescott, but was caught out on occasions by Di Maria’s quick-step movement. Troubled by the strength and presence of Fellaini in the second half. 6
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings Sebastien Pocognoli Like Wisdom he offered decent cover for his centre backs, but unlike the right back, failed to offer much attacking threat down the flank. Perhaps fortunate not to have conceded a penalty after a clear handball. While it may not have been deliberate, it certainly fell into the ‘you’ve seen them given’ category. 5
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings Craig Gardner Disciplined display from the former Sunderland man. Seemed to stay deeper than usual, and certainly unleashed less pot-shots on goal. Tracked back expertly to cut out a dangerous cross with ten minutes remaining. 5
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings Chris Brunt The Baggies captain supplied the usual eye-of-the-needle delivery to devastating effect to setup Berahino’s goal, and was largely impressive throughout. 6
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings James Morrison Booked for a strong challenge on Herrera in the first half, Morrison’s punchy display helped break up United’s play as the Baggies enjoyed long spells of possession. 5
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings Graham Dorrans Delightfully flicked the ball onto Wisdom to outsmart Luke Shaw in the build-up to Sessegnon’s goal, the Scot caused United numerous problems down their left side. 6
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings Stephane Sessegnon Spanked a thunderous drive past De Gea into the top corner to score his first league goal of the season, as the Baggies took an eighth-minute lead. Linked up well with Berahino throughout the match, and received rapturous applause when brought off in the final minutes. 7
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings Saido Berahino Scored the winner at Old Trafford last season, and put the Baggies ahead with a superb finish just after the hour mark. Jones may well come up against Van Persie, Rooney and Falcao week in week out at training, but the United man simply couldn’t handle Berahino. 8
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings David De Gea There was little the Spaniard could do about either West Brom goal. Had little else to do aside from the two times he picked the ball out of the net. 5
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings Rafael Da Silva Was always eager to get forward and produced some decent crosses. Defensively still looks uncertain, with he and Phil Jones too far apart for Berahino's goal. 5
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings Phil Jones Made some good clearances and showed his ability to read the game in the first half, but at fault for West Brom's second goal. 5
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings Marcos Rojo Looked an absolute liability throughout. Was not tight enough for Sessegnon's goal, positioned himself incorrectly throughout and lost Lescott at a corner, from which he was fortunate to get away without being punished. The Argentinian does not look like a centre-back. Booked in injury time to cap things off. 2
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings Luke Shaw Seemed to be targeted by West Brom and it paid off for the hosts with the England international too far upfield to help his team-mates out before Sessegnon scored. Showed his ability getting forward. 4
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings Daley Blind Played that midfield anchor role, broke up some plays and distributed decently. Yet got overrun as United pushed for a goal and found himself in the book for a professional foul. His late equaliser to make it 2-2 was sublime. 7
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings Ander Herrera Coming back from a rib injury, Herrera showed a surprisingly high work rate. But he must have pushed himself too hard as was replaced with Fellaini at half time. 5
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings Angel Di Maria Was by far the best Manchester United player on the pitch. Displayed a great touch, showed off his crossing ability and came close to scoring with a swerving effort. Replaced with Ashley Young on 75 minutes. 7
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings Juan Mata Became a little lost amongst the West Brom midfielders and shot high and wide from a decent free-kick position. Nowhere near his best night. Replaced by Radamel Falcao. 5
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings Adnan Januzaj Aside from the odd decent cross, Januzaj was well marshalled by the West Brom defence and as a result struggled to make much of an impact. Smashed over the bar when the goal was gaping. 4
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings Robin van Persie Scuffed a decent chance early on and appeared to struggle playing as the lone-striker. His best chance in the first-half came thanks to himself when he dispossessed Lescott. Looked more of a danger when Falcao came on, striking the post after the pair linked up. 6
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West Brom 2 Manchester United 2 player ratings Best off the bench: Marouane Fellaini Within moments of coming on at the break, scored a stunner. Played a weird role that saw him acting as a striker one minute and scampering around breaking things up in midfield the next. Certainly caused West Brom problems. 7
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That said, it’s almost inconceivable to imagine Van Gaal has been implementing the tactic of shouting at opponents. If only Rafael had put as much effort into stopping Berahino as he did screaming at him, United might have won the game.
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