A Gareth McAuley own goal after less than 10 minutes has given Manchester United a 1-0 lead going into half time of their Premier League clash with West Bromwich Albion this afternoon.

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West Brom felt that they should have been awarded a penalty five minutes in when Chris Smalling brought down Shane Long, but the referee waved the claims away.

United took the lead in fortuitous circumstances just four minutes later as Ashley Young's cross from the left was inadvertently turned into his own net by McAuley.

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Young almost got his own name on the scoresheet on the half-hour mark when he reacted to Danny Welbeck's deflected shot, but his header floated over the bar.

Ben Foster then denied his former club twice in as many minutes, first turning Young's half-volley over the bar before denying Michael Carrick from the resulting corner.

Foster was then almost responsible for United doubling their lead as he took too long on the ball, allowing Welbeck to close him down, but the blocked clearance went inches wide.