JAY RODRIGUEZ headed home the shock strike that had Pep Guardiola celebrating.
For his 73rd minute header created the sensational prospect of the title being gift – wrapped to Manchester City by way of Old Trafford.
United stopped their rivals from clinching the Prem championship eight days earlier with a comeback 3 – 2 victory at the Etihad.
Follow City’s 3 – 1 win over Tottenham on Saturday night United would have had to lose against doomed West Brom to stop delaying the inevitable.
Yet as Paul Pogba was hauled off in the 59th minute having backed up a two – goal display at City with a non – performance against the Baggies, Rodgriguez set up that possibility.
His goal was down to a terrible mistake from Nemanja Matic.
The United midfielder rose to try and clear a Chris Brunt corner but succeeded only in setting Rodriguez up for a chance he could not miss.
The Baggies, who arrived at Old Trafford having won only three Prem games all season, gave United a serious fright twelve minutes in as Jake Livermore demanded a sharp low save from David De Gea.
United should have had a 19th minute penalty when Craig Dawson made contact with Ander Herrera’s right ankle but referee Paul Tierney denied it.
Seconds later Romelu Lukaku met Juan Mata’s clever clip but Ben Foster’s brilliant advance blocked the Belgian looking for his 16th league of his first season at Old Trafford.
The goalkeeper then reacted superbly again to deny Alexis Sanchez with his legs.
Yet Darren Moore, in his second game in charge since the sacking of Alan Pardew, could take a lot of satisfaction from his side’s display.
Indeed so organised were they that Mourinho’s men had only six touches inside their box before the interval.
Make that seven if you count Pogba’s hand ball as he dived to meet a Sanchez cross.
Credit to West Brom who showed pride.
Yet United’s performance was a long, long way short of the intensity that marked that derby win and Rodriguez made them pay for it.
INTERACTIVE STATS – CLICK on the categories to find out how the teams fared
INTERACTIVE STATS – CLICK on a player’s number below to see their stats
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