United's winning run came to an end at The Hawthorns when the Reds failed to hold out against West Brom, a single Rondon goal giving Albion victory after Juan Mata had been sent off in the first half.
Mata was the hero in midweek, but he gave his side an enormous problem here when he was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. Both offences were completely unnecessary, a failure to retreat at a free kick followed by a silly challenge on Darren Fletcher when his team were in no serious danger on either occasion. There will be some who claim the second yellow was harsh, but there was really no reason for the Spaniard to give the referee a decision to make.
The Reds were forced to reorganise to withstand the inevitable pressure from the home side. Chris Smalling, back in the side following his recent injury, looked solid at the back and made some vital challenges as the Baggies sought to push home their advantage.
United looked to have weathered this early storm and appeared fairly comfortable before West Brom took the lead in the second half. For the first time in the half, the Reds were stretched defensively and, when Rondon was given time to control a dangerous cross from the left before shooting, the result was sadly predictable.
Before the goal Anthony Martial, now pushed into a long striker position, had looked capable of exploiting gaps that the home side left. Following the goal, however, these gaps were no longer evident, and the Reds never looked likely to get back on terms.
It was a disappointing three points dropped and a huge setback as United look to make up ground on the top four. With the two legs of the Europa Cup game and the FA Cup Quarter-Final to come before the next league game away at city, the Reds face a crucial two weeks. What better place to bounce back from this than Anfield on Thursday?
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