Three goals within the opening 45 minutes have put Manchester United in command of their trip to West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League this afternoon.

Sir Alex Ferguson's last match in charge of the Red Devils got off to a positive start when Shinji Kagawa rose highest at the near post to beat Ben Foster with a downward header from a Javier Hernandez cross in the sixth minute.

Then just three minutes later, the away side's lead was doubled. Antonio Valencia, playing at right-back today, sent over a cross and in an attempt to clear the danger, Jonas Olsson only succeeded in sending the ball into his own net.

© PA Photos

Between those two United goals, the hosting Baggies went close to scoring, but Republic of Ireland international Shane Long struck the post from distance.

United continued to be the dominant force, though, and they went on to add a third with 30 minutes played. Tom Cleverley played in Dutch left-back Alexander Buttner and he in turn drilled the ball inside Foster's far post.

Just when it looked as though United were going to run away with the match, West Brom pulled a goal back in the closing stages of the half through James Morrison, who turned the ball into the net with a low strike.