The result was as expected but Albion perhaps deserve a little more credit than the scoreline suggests. Once again, they had more than their fair share of bad luck on their second visit to Old Trafford within a month. Injuries to Clement and Inamoto meant that the starting line-up was much changed and as injury to Paul Robinson on the half hour was crucial.

Robson's team selection was surprising, but innovative. Robinson was designated to man-mark Wayne Rooney as the spare man in the back five with Steve Watson slotting in at left back. With Clement injured, Thomas Gaardsoe returned to the starting line-up. In midfield, Kamara was rested with Carter coming in on the left wing, and Richard Chaplow got only his fourth start of the season in place of the injured Inamoto. Nathan Ellington got the nod as the lone striker. It was surprising that both Kanu and Earnshaw were missing from the sixteen and it was probably a mistake to have both Campbell and Horsfield on the bench who offer pretty much the same option.

For the first half an hour, Robson's tactics worked as Robbo stifled Rooney and United struggled to break down the Albion defence. The visitors offered little from an attacking point of view although Ellington was working hard and held the ball up well on occasion. The new look defence was working well with Watson and Gaardsoe impressing particularly. Wallwork was neat in possession and Chaplow got in one or two vital challenges, but was also prone to getting caught in possession.

As another cross came into the Albion area, a frustrated Rooney pushed Robinson out of the way in a desperate attempt to find a little space. Unfortunately for the Albion defender, his head collided with Gaardsoe's hip and he was knocked unconscious. He was stretchered off and Albion's game plan went out of the window. Without another player capable of performing the man-marking role, Kamara came on as Albion switched to a 4-5-1.

One or two Albion players switched off during the long break when Robinson received treatment, but Man Utd were back into their stride quickly. Rooney's new freedom was ably demonstrated minutes after the stoppage when he found space to run powerfully at the Albion defence on the United left, but it was from the other flank that the opening goal came. Ferdinand decided to go on a run that was not tracked by Carter. He beat Watson for pace and crossed into the box. Chaplow managed to half block it, but it fell for Park who managed to nudge it back to Scholes. With Greening watching a yard or two away, Scholes was unmarked and he fired a precise shot into the corner of the net.

Albion did manage to get themselves organised, and stood up to a wave of United attacks up to half time. But then in the six minutes of stoppage time before the break, Davies allowed Ferdinand to get away at a corner and he planted a firm header past Kuszczak to put the home side two up.

Early in the second half, Albion finally started getting close to the United goal. Ellington and Kamara both went close as Albion played some decent football. Their best move resulted in a cross from Greening being met by the head of Ronnie Wallwork but he could only head straight at Van der Sar.

I was surprised to see Ellington substituted just after the hour by Campbell, as he had been causing one or two problems in the second half, but I guess that Robson had one eye on Wednesday's game against Spurs. United also made a substitution bringing on Alan Smith who made an immediate impact crossing from Van Nistelrooy to score United's third. The Albion defending was poor as the Dutchman took up position between Davies and Gaardsoe neither of who made a challenge.

The rest of the game was fairly tame but there was one bright spot for the Baggies when Zoltan Gera came on for Gaardsoe. He showed some great touches on the ball and produced a few superb long range passes that served to highlight what we've been missing for the past few months.

United were certainly the better side and 3-0 was only slightly flattering on the day, but it would've been interesting to see what would have happened had Robinson remained on the field. Albion must now turn to the home game against Spurs to try to get some more points on the board.

Marks

Tomasz Kuszczak - 7 - One superb save; no chance with the goals.
Martin Albrechtsen - 6 - One or two good moments going forward; did OK at the back.
Curtis Davies - 5 - Poor performance from the youngster; too many mistakes. Maybe a little overawed at being captain at Old Trafford.
Thomas Gaardsoe - 6 - Decent display from Tommy.
Paul Robinson - 7 - Did very well until his injury.
Ronnie Wallwork - 7 - MOM. Neat and tidy in possession; some well-timed challenges.
Steve Watson - 6 - Did OK but got caught once or twice.
Darren Carter - 4 - Offered little.
Richard Chaplow - 5 - Did OK but gets caught in possession far too often and gave the ball away too much.
Jonathan Greening - 6 - One or two nice touches but lost his man far too often.
Nathan Ellington - 7 - Worked hard; some lovely hold-up play.

Diomansy Kamara - 5 - Didn't do a great deal.
Kevin Campbell - 5 - Ditto.
Zoltan Gera - 7 - Great to see him back; some excellent touches and passes.

Bryan Robson - 6 - Innovative tactics which looked to be working, but had no real plan B. Disappointing attacking options on the bench.


Jon Want, 27th December 2005.