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Has the penny dropped? Or are we simply alternating between playing well and playing terribly, having chosen the wrong days? Either way, Manchester United looked very good in getting past West Brom, scoring three good goals in the process.
David Moyes named possibly his best starting eleven, and the likes of Rafael and Marouane Fellaini repaid their starts with excellent performances. Phil Jones put United into the lead following a Robin van Persie free-kick, before Rafael sent in an excellent cross for Wayne Rooney to add a second. The oh-god-I-can't-even-remember-how-much-it-was-please-don't-remind-me man then turned provider to set up Danny Welbeck for a lovely third.
United didn't exactly come flying out of the traps however - West Brom started on the front foot, although as the half drew on Moyes' men began to pen them back. Rafael almost opened the scoring when fine work from Januzaj saw him deliver a perfect cross for the Brazilian at the back-post, but former United man Ben Foster made a fine save to tip his header onto the post.
United then put themselves in front after Rafael did well to win a free-kick down the right, Van Persie stepping up to send in a fine delivery which Phil Jones headed home to give United a valuable lead.
United continued to dominate in the second half, although Robin van Persie had a nervy moment when he came close to being sent off after a succession of reckless challenges. West Brom needed to go for it, and hurled on Stephane Sessegnon, but then United found their killer second, with Rafael again instrumental. The full-back picked up the ball on the right and sent in an inch-perfect far post cross for Wayne Rooney to head home with a simple finish.
That put United in a comfortable position, and they wrapped up the win with the best goal of the day after Danny Welbeck's introduction, when some fine play from Fellaini and Rooney saw the latter put in a through-ball which Welbeck put home with a cool, composed finish, dragging back and curling into the far corner.
So, a win, three points, and some very good performances from the players we most need them from. Context is everything, but there is no doubt that today was a good day. And hopefully offers some slight promise against the crucial run coming up.