There was plenty of thrills and spills on Sunday afternoon at the Britannia Stadium, with varying degrees of effectiveness from players on either side.
By Wayne Veysey at The Hawthorns
Benjamin Foster
3
11
Would have expected a busy shift against his former team - and got it. Rooney exploited his weakness diving to his left side with the expertly guided opener. Unlucky that the second took a deflection off Brunt.
Jonas Olsson
2
8
Got caught out of a position a few times in the first half and Young caused him problems cutting in from the left flank.
Nicky Shorey
2
7
Was skinned by Nani a few times early on, but settled down and contained the Portuguese well for most the match.
Gabriel Sebastian Tamaş
3
7
Guilty of granting Rooney too much space to spin and shoot for the opener but dominated the aerial battle and held his own against United's mobile attackers.
Steven Reid
1
8
Needlessly picked up a first half yellow card yet showed signs of finding the form that once made him such an irresistible force at Blackburn before all his injury problems.
Chris Brunt
2
8
The left footer operated on the right flank and had little joy other than at set pieces, when his accurate deliveries caused problems.
Paul Scharner
4
6
Nearly put his team 1-0 up with an early speculative shot from distance and came close to scoring the equalizer only to be denied by a fine De Gea save. Rallied his team well after it went behind.
Youssuf Mulumbu
5
6
Tireless display by last season's player of the year to ensure that United was never allowed to do as it pleased in central midfield.
James Morrison
2
6
Energetic display but looked uncomfortable and, at times, a square peg in a round hole on the left side of midfield.
Somen Tchoyi
12
5
Looked the most dangerous West Brom attacker in open play, with his power and movement. Kept United's defenders busy throughout.
Shane Long
4
4
Marked his debut with the goal that he would have longed after, when his rather tame effort from the left side of the penalty area squirmed under De Gea's grasp.
• Substitutions
Gonzalo Jara
3
5
Had little time to make an impact.
Simon Cox
2
5
Replaced Long in the closing minutes.
David de Gea
Flop of the Match34
35
Minutes after a brilliant save from Scharner, he made a bad mistake to allow a relatively feeble Long shot squirm under his grasp. The Spaniard also looked shaky on set pieces throughout and was targeted by West Brom in the second half. Will have to be tough to deal with the scrutiny that now comes his way.
Rio Ferdinand
35
4
In complete control until he followed Vidic on to the bench with 15 minutes to go after sustaining a hamstring injury. Looked a disgruntled figure as he pulled on his tracksuit, which suggests he could be on the sidelines for a while.
Chris Smalling
34
4
Tidy and rock solid at right back, just as he was in the Community Shield. Now needs to add greater ambition going forward as he learns a new position.
Fabio Da Silva
26
8
Showed his versatility by filling in commendably at left back, where he got forward intelligently and energetically to support the attacks. His right-footedness occasionally let him down and was guilty of giving the ball away in the build to West Brom's equalizer.
Nemanja Vidic
34
3
United's skipper picked up a calf injury early in the match and carried on manfully until finally giving in seven minutes into the second period.
Ashley Young
Top of the Match63
4
Already looks completely at home in a red shirt. Teed up Rooney for the opening goal and scored the winner from a tight angle after flying into the box. His pace, dribbling and crossing on the left flank was a constant source of danger to West Brom.
Tom Cleverley
51
1
Oozed confidence and cleverness in possession with a display that justified his inclusion ahead of Carrick and Giggs. Ably supported the front players in attack.
Anderson
31
7
Anchored the midfield adeptly to help United completely dominate possession, although his role nullified his strongest weapon - bombing forward from the central areas.
Nani
28
12
Hot and cold display by the Portuguese on the right flank. Had the beating of Shorey but chose the wrong option too often. His nonchalance got the better of him when he spooned over from 10 yards with United 1-0 up and in the driving seat.
Wayne Rooney
72
3
Started where he finished off last season with a virtuoso display. Linked up smartly with Young for the opener, which he finished off brilliantly by spinning and guiding wide of Foster. Lively and enthusiastic throughout and looks a man on a mission.
Danny Welbeck
27
8
Produced the odd deft touch playing just in front of Rooney in the targetman role, but not enough to suggest he is ready to be a first team regular. Subbed with 25 minutes left.
• Substitutions
Phil Jones
38
3
Looked completely at home once again in the back four after replacing the injured Ferdinand.
Jonny Evans
27
4
Preferred to Jones when Vidic succumbed to injury early in the second half and dealt capably with West Brom's late aerial assault.
Dimitar Berbatov
24
10
Struggled to get involved after replacing Welbeck, although he did produce the odd silky touch.
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