United bounce back from Greek debacle with 3-0 win at West Brom
Champions appear to have their swagger back as they record back-to-back league wins for first time in 2014
Manchester United kept their fading hopes of Champions League qualification flickering with a breezy 3-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League yesterday.
The Red Devils reignited their old swagger with goals from Phil Jones, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck giving them back-to-back league wins for the first time since December, following their 2-0 success at Crystal Palace last month.
Victory took the defending champions to 48 points - within nine points of fourth-place Manchester City, although they have played two more games - while Pepe Mel's West Brom remain a point above the relegation zone in 17th place.
"I thought our forward play was very good," United manager David Moyes said.
"I thought both Robin [van Persie] and Wayne were excellent today, and Juan Mata and Adnan [Januzaj]. But it also needed a good defensive performance as well, so all round we were pleased."
United's previous match at The Hawthorns had been Alex Ferguson's last as manager and his successor, Moyes, was looking for a reaction to his side's shock 2-0 loss to Olympiakos in the Champions League.
After Marouane Fellaini had seen a header cleared off the line and West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster had tipped one from Rafael da Silva onto his crossbar, United broke through in the 34th minute.