Manchester United bounced back from defeat in Greece to hand a heavy defeat to Pepe Mel and West Brom, who remain in deep trouble following their first defeat at home since Norwich in December.

Goals from Phil Jones, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck ensured three vital points for David Moyes' men, after plenty of criticism in recent weeks.

Albion captain Chris Brunt pulled through to lead the home side out after there were suggestions midweek he wouldn't be fit for the fixture. Victor Anichebe, Claudio Yacob and Zoltan Gera also returned to the starting eleven.

David Moyes recalled the previously ineligible Juan Mata, while Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj also started in an attacking line-up.

Prior to kick-off, there were touching tributes to two Hawthorns greats in the form of Laurie Cunningham and Stan Rickaby, before Albion started the brighter, Morgan Amalfitano and Gera closing down United's defence well.

The visitors grew into the game slowly, Michael Carrick and the tricky Juan Mata finding the ball with increasing regularity, before Victor Anichebe's surge into the opposing penalty area had the crowd on their feet. Chris Smalling was able to gain ground, however, and the moment was gone. Januzaj was booked soon after for deliberate handball.

Youssouf Mulumbu was forced to clear a header off the line as the Red Devils continued to lay siege on the hosts' area, with Anichebe feeding on scraps whenever Albion attempted to counter. The home fans, however, were doing all they could early on to provide their team with a base on which to build.

While Amalfitano's header was easily claimed by David De Gea, Ben Foster was required to produce quite a bit more to keep out Rafael's. The former United stopper somehow managed to push the Brazilian right back's onto the bar from an obscure angle.

The away side weren't to be denied for long, though. Robin van Persie's free kick was met with a free, bullet header from Phil Jones that Foster this time was unable to keep out.

Fellaini's foul soon meant the end of the game for the recently returning Yacob, with James Morrison replacing him. Anichebe then used his brute strength with his back to goal to fend off Jones before dragging a shot just wide of the far post.

There was a moment of controversy in the closing stages of the opening half when an innocent Juan Mata ball forward should have been dealt with by Foster, but his failed control saw the ball bounce up and hit his arm outside of the area- a let off for the struggling hosts.

H-T: 0-1

Van Persie was booked in the early stages of the second period for a nasty tackle on Amalfitano, before a neat interchange between Gera and Anichebe ended in a tame effort from the former. A sign of things to come?

5 minutes later and Dutchman 'RVP' was extremely lucky not to receive his marching orders for a late lunge on Steven Reid.

Albion were outraged, and this led to a period of sustained pressure, where Anichebe continued to worry United's defence. His ball across the face of goal was diverted away, before Mulumbu's ultimate follow-up was blocked.

Stephane Sessegnon was introduced for Reid with Amalfitano converting to right back, while Danny Welbeck replaced the hot-headed van Persie as the substitutions began to take place.
As Saido Berahino was prepared to replace the injured Chris Brunt, Amalfitano switched off at the back post and allowed Rooney a free header to double the lead.

The game descended into a lull from there, as United were content with their significant advantage and Albion struggled to go forward with much venom. The impressive Anichebe was doing his best, and laid in Gera for another effort on goal that De Gea palmed away.

Welbeck rounded off proceedings after finishing well following a period of Red possession late on. Harsh on the home side, who have trouble scoring goals and keeping them out at the moment.

It's a game that won't define West Brom's season, but it was as good an opportunity to complete the double over United for the first time in a long time. United's three points keep them in the hunt for European football next season.

Player ratings:

WBA: Foster 6, Reid 5 (Sessegnon 5), McAuley 5, Olsson 6, Ridgewell 5, Yacob 6 (Morrison 5), Mulumbu 6, Amalfitano 5, Brunt 6 (Berahino 5), Gera 6, Anichebe 7.

MU: De Gea 6, Rafael 8, Jones 6, Smalling 7 (Vidic n/a), Evra 6, Carrick 7, Fellaini 7, Mata 7, Januzaj 5 (Kagawa 5), Rooney 7, van Persie 5 (Welbeck 6