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Manchester United vs. West Brom preview: 5 key factors

By Rucker Haringey

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on February 28 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on February 28 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images) /
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READING, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 20: Tony Pulis manager of West Bromwich Albion gestures during the Emirates FA Cup fifth round match between Reading and West Bromwich Albion at the Madejski Stadium on February 20, 2016 in Reading, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
READING, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 20: Tony Pulis manager of West Bromwich Albion gestures during the Emirates FA Cup fifth round match between Reading and West Bromwich Albion at the Madejski Stadium on February 20, 2016 in Reading, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

3. Style of play

West Brom manager Tony Pulis will do everything in his power to make this one of the Premier League’s ugliest matches of the weekend. He has no use for possession or skillful football. His game plan will be designed to break up play and slow down United’s attack at every opportunity.

It’s a style of play that makes Louis van Gaal’s tactics at United look downright adventurous. This contest will serve as a great reminder to United’s fans that bemoan van Gaal’s lack of offensive philosophy that things could certainly be worse. Pulis helps his teams avoid relegation, but it’s not a product of any sort of attractive football.

If the Baggies are able to make this a choppy, ugly match, then they’ll have every opportunity to pull off the upset at home. If United can get the match into a good rhythm they should be in the driver’s seat. The Red Devils certainly have more offensive skill at their disposal in comparison to the home side.

The challenge for United is that imposing stylish football on a side not interested in engaging you is challenging. Conversely, it’s relatively straight forward to make a match ugly. After all, West Brom is one of the best teams in the world at making you play a hideous style of football to grind out a result. Whichever side can impose their style on the match will likely go home with three points to show for it.

Next: 2. Saido Berahino's resurgence

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