Robin van Persie is in line to start United's Premier League match against West Brom. Shaun Botterill / Getty
Robin van Persie is in line to start United's Premier League match against West Brom. Shaun Botterill / Getty

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Robin van Persie in contention to start Manchester United’s clash with West Brom

Robin van Persie could make his first start since February against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday as Manchester United attempt to consolidate their place in the Premier League's top four.

Agence France Presse

May 01, 2015

Robin van Persie could make his first start since February against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday as Manchester United attempt to consolidate their place in the Premier League’s top four.

Dutch striker van Persie came on as a substitute in United’s 3-0 defeat by Everton last Sunday, his first appearance after suffering an ankle injury, and is in contention to face West Brom at Old Trafford.

United could be without captain Wayne Rooney after he suffered a knee injury at Goodison Park, which would increase the prospects of van Persie or Radamel Falcao playing in attack for United.

Van Persie, 31, has scored 10 goals in 25 league appearances this season but only two of those strikes have come in 2015.

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As well as questions over Rooney’s availability, United manager Louis van Gaal has concerns over the fitness of three defensive players. Holding midfielder Michael Carrick, and centre-backs Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones all missed the match against Everton and are doubts for the visit of West Brom.

United’s defeat at Everton followed a 1-0 loss against champions-elect Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in their previous outing.

It was the first time they had suffered back-to-back defeats during van Gaal’s tenure and gave fifth-place Liverpool the chance to close the gap.

Luckily for United, the Reds spurned that opportunity, losing 1-0 at Hull City on Tuesday, leaving van Gaal’s fourth-placed side seven points clear of their bitter rivals.

United need six points from their final four matches to guarantee a top-four finish and defender Chris Smalling was confident the players would respond well after their two recent defeats.

“We’ve got four big games now in which we’ve got to make sure we were better than on Sunday,” Smalling said.

“We’ll be eager to put this right. I think we’ll see a different Manchester United against West Brom.”

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