Analyzing United's Narrow Victory Over West Brom

Even though they made life difficult for themselves, Manchester United battled hard to earn a very good away 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.

Young Was Lifted Up After Lifting United

Wayne Rooney scored the opening goal of the match and it look as though United would cruise, but they were pegged back by strike from Shane Long, however, a deflected cross-shot from Ashley Young was turned into the Baggies net to give the Reds all three points.

Unfortunately, the opening day victory for United could have been marred by two very different stories - damaging comments about their young goalkeeper and a growing list of injury concerns - but there were a lot of positives to be taken.

Disappointingly, this time it wasn't just the press trying to rip into a Manchester United player in attempt to kill their career, because there were some so-called United supporters beating them to the verbal punch. David de Gea certainly made a glaring, but very correctable mistake when West Brom scored their goal, but the sort of unjustified criticism shelled at him was despicable, to say the least.

Yes, it was ultimately his error for the goal, but a lot of people also forget that, like winning and losing, you concede and score goals as a team.

Crocked
de Gea's learning curve needs to quickly increase because he has lost the experienced figureheads in front of him as both Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand have suffered injuries that will keep them out of action for two and six weeks, respectively.

That was on top of United supporters learning before that Rafael is expected to be 10 weeks with a dislocated shoulder, and Patrice Evra could be out two weeks, so "the best young center-backs in England" now have their chance to shine and stake claim on a position in the first team.

If this was any other season, fans would have a right to be worried, but Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling all played very well against West Brom, but they will need to step up even more now that United have lost all of that experience. There should be no question that they will give their best effort to ensure that does not happen, as well.

Youthful
The average age of the projected starting back-five heading into next week's match against Tottenham is 20.8 - de Gea (20), Smalling (21), Jones (19), Evans (23), Fabio (21).

One of the best things to see is that youth has been spread throughout the squad, and on top of de Gea making his first league appearance, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck accomplished the same feat.

Neither Cleverley nor Welbeck enjoyed the same sort of performances they had last weekend against Manchester City, but they showed clear signs that they will be competing for places in the United XI for years to come. The 22-year old midfielder buzzed around the field enjoying the freedom of an attacking role. Once he Cleverley works out the kinks in his short passing game and the timing of his runs, the new No. 23 will be some sort of player for club - and country.

Welbeck, on the other hand, struggled to get on the same page as Rooney and the other attackers and became more obsolete as the game wore on. But there is no questioning the fact that he has the ability and power to unlock defenses with his pace, height and power.

Star
Even though he ended up being the second oldest player on the pitch at the end of the game, Ashley Young turned in a match-winning type of performance on his United debut. The £18 million summer signing from Aston Villa did both things that Sir Alex wanted him to do the goals: link up well with the front line, especially Rooney; and make a very dangerous, darting runs into the penalty area.

What is great about having Nani, Young and a fit-again Antonio Valencia in the same squad is that you are going to get maximum contributions from each. With that being said, it's not shocking that the two Man of the Match performances have come from the former two.

As frustration and nervous as it was, Manchester United won in typical fashion and really does not matter how goals are scored, or points are accumulated, as long as they are - but when they don't we support them, nonetheless.