West Brom vs Manchester United preview: Louis van Gaal's side hope to kick-start top-four push

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at The Hawthorns

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal (Getty Images)

It’s a big game for…

Anthony Martial: After being sidelined for two games with a hamstring problem, the Frenchman returned against Watford on Wednesday night but failed to find the back of the net. Martial, United’s top scorer in the league with seven goals, will hope to get back into form against mid table opposition.

Weird stat...

7: Manchester United have won every one of their last seven away Premier League fixtures in March, last dropping points in a 3-1 defeat at Anfield in 2011.

Remember when…

Romelu Lukaku, then on loan from Chelsea, scored a second half hat-trick in a 5-5 draw when both teams met in the league three years ago. That was former United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson’s last game in charge.

Player to watch…

Juan Mata: The Spaniard was United’s hero against Watford, scoring a sublime free kick that won the game and extended their run to four wins in a row in all competitions. With Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick and Chris Smalling still unavailable through injury, the stand-in captain will have to maintain his form if United are to put pressure on the top four teams for a Champions League spot.

Past three-meetings…

Manchester United 2 (Lingard, Mata) West Brom 0
Premier League, November 2015.

Manchester United 0 West Brom 1 (Olsson)
Premier League, May 2015.

West Brom 2 (Sessegnon, Berahino) Manchester United 2 (Blind, Fellaini)
Premier League, October 2014

Form guide…

West Brom: LWWLWD

Manchester United: LLWWWW

Vital information…

KICK-OFF TIME: 4.00pm

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1, highlights on BBC1 MOTD, 10.30pm