Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insisted that it was just “one of those days” for his side as Man United were held at the Hawthorns.
West Brom took a surprising lead after just two minutes. Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher sent a delightful ball towards the six-yard box. Victor Lindelof looked the favourite to get it, but Mbaye Diagne outmuscled him as the forward headed it in past David De Gea.
Man United started the game slowly, but they were brought back into the game by Bruno Fernandes. Harry Maguire advanced up the pitch before he laid it off to Luke Shaw on the left flank.
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Shaw’s ball in was slightly behind Fernandes, but that did not matter as the midfielder adjusted his body to emphatically volley it home to equalise.
United looked to have been given a penalty just past the hour mark. Semi Ajayi brought down Maguire and Craig Pawson pointed to the spot. But the decision was overturned by VAR as there was minimal contact and the defender also looked to be offside.
The visitors should have gone ahead in the 70th minute. Mason Greenwood’s shot was saved by Sam Johnstone before Scott McTominay’s effort was cleared off the line by Kyle Bartley.
Diagne missed a couple of great chances to get his second before Maguire almost won it in stoppage time. Shaw delivered a ball in towards the defender. His header looked to be going in but Johnstone was there to fingertip the ball onto the post.
Speaking with Sky Sports post-match, as cited by BBC Sport, Solskjaer admitted his side made it “tough” for themselves against West Brom:
“It’s something we knew would happen from the kick-off – we knew they’d put us under pressure and put in a few throw-ins. They put a cross in and the boy finished well.”
Solskjaer on West Brom’s goal: “As an ex-striker I’d say that was a goal. But in a recent game, Harry [Maguire] got on top of a defender and that was no goal. It’s just clarity and consistency. I’m not saying that’s a foul.
“The goal we scored is the way we put pressure on them. We did get down the sides sometimes but didn’t have anybody to tap them in. One of these days we weren’t there where we should have been.
“We should play better but we gave ourselves a tough start. You have 90 minutes to make amends but we didn’t build that momentum until late in the first half.
“I said we shouldn’t be talked about [in the title race]. A compliment for the boys we got into position we are now. We won’t let them [Manchester City] run away with it – we’re playing them soon. We’re not giving it away early – no we’re not.”
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