Manchester United host West Bromwich Albion on Saturday looking to bounce back from two successive defeats and consolidate their grip on Champions League qualification.
With the Baggies taking a 'nothing to lose' mentality to Old Trafford, though, victory could prove tricky for Louis van Gaal's wounded troops.
Manchester United
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United's 3-0 defeat to Everton last week was arguably the low point in an otherwise encouraging season in Van Gaal's first year in charge. It represented their second successive loss, having gone down 1-0 at Chelsea eight days previous, and all of a sudden that six-game winning streak feels like a long time ago.
Still, despite a summer outlay of some £150m, a top-four finish was always the realistic goal for the Red Devils in the Dutchman's first season and, with four games remaining, a minor miracle is needed to see them finish outside the Champions League places.
Fourth in the Premier League table but seven points clear of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in joint fifth, United can perhaps put the champagne on ice if they edge past West Brom and pick up one of the two wins needed to return to Europe's elite competition next term.
With first place effectively gone to champions-elect Chelsea, United could draw further motivation by bidding to avoid finishing fourth. Coming second or third would mean that Saturday's hosts are spared the anguish of a two-legged Champions League playoff before they can book their spot in the group stage.
The qualifier is a nuisance that Arsenal have barely survived in years gone by, and a cruel draw could test the occasionally erratic Red Devils.
Finishing fourth would by no means represent a failed first season for Van Gaal, but a second or third-placed finish - a goal very much in reach, with the Gunners and Manchester City just two points ahead - would remove the caution when dreaming about their return to the Champions League.
Recent form: WWWWLL
West Brom
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Just when it appeared that West Brom could get dragged back into the relegation scrap, Tony Pulis waved his magic wand and disappeared fears of dropping down into the Championship.
On April 11, Pulis's side lost 3-2 at home to Leicester City for what was their third successive defeat, having been thumped 4-1 by Queens Park Rangers and 3-0 by Manchester City in the previous two weeks.
Suddenly, the three-game losing streak gave rise to the slightest of concerns that they were being sucked back into the dogfight, having battled so hard in recent months to put a significant gap between themselves and danger when the former Stoke City boss replaced Alan Irvine.
However, Pulis returned to Crystal Palace - whom he quit two days before the season started - and left with a much-needed 2-0 win, before battling to a 0-0 draw at home to Liverpool last week.
Those four points may just prove the difference between relegation and survival for West Brom, whose visit to Manchester United is merely part one in a trilogy of daunting fixtures from now until the end of the season.
After leaving Old Trafford, the West Midlands side conclude their season with a trip to relegation-threatened Newcastle United, before hosting Premier League champions-elect Chelsea at The Hawthorns in the penultimate matchday, followed by a visit to Arsenal on the final day.
With zero points against Chelsea and Arsenal a distinct possibility, Albion, who sit seven clear of danger as it stands, should be safe regardless of what transpires against the big boys, but if not for the win at Palace and drawing with Liverpool then tomorrow's trip to United may have been far more important than it is for them.
Recent form: WLLLWD
Team News
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Van Gaal confirmed that Wayne Rooney is fit to face West Brom after the United hitman hobbled out of last week's defeat on Merseyside.
Robin van Persie, who scored twice for the Under-21s in midweek, and Phil Jones are also available for selection following their injuries, but left-back Luke Shaw is definitely out.
Jonny Evans is eligible again after suspension but injury means that the Northern Irish defender remains sidelined.
Meanwhile, Pulis is keeping his cards close to his chest in regards to injuries, confirming that some players will miss the trip to Old Trafford but refusing to reveal who.
The Albion boss told a press conference this afternoon: "We've a few injuries this week but I'm not going to say who is injured and who isn't."
However, Youssouf Mulumbu could return to the first XI after serving out a three-game ban for his red card in the defeat to Queens Park Rangers.
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Blind; Herrera, Rooney, Fellaini, Young, Mata; Van Persie
West Brom possible starting lineup:
Myhill; Dawson, McAuley, Lescott, Brunt; Gardner, Fletcher, Mulumbu, Morrison; Berahino, Ideye
Head To Head
Unsurprisingly, United boast a commanding head-to-head record against their West Midlands counterparts, losing just one of their last 22 meetings in a series of results that stretches back to 1984. The hosts have won 17 of those.
Their defeat came under David Moyes last season when Albion left Old Trafford with a 2-1 victory.
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Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:
We say: Manchester United 2-0 West Brom
Despite the back-to-back defeats, United should have more than enough to bounce back from their recent woes and move another step closer to securing a top-four finish. Pulis's teams are seldom pushovers, however, so we reckon a hard-fought win is on the cards.
Shane Callaghan
