Rampant West Bromwich silence United’s youth brigade

West Brom 2 Man Utd 0

Baggies boss Gary Megson believes he has come up with just the formula to ensure his team are fresh and raring to go for Saturday's crucial League game with West Ham although he admitted it is not one he would have liked during his own playing days.

"The cold bath cools them down and the tights are supposed to help the recovery process," he said.

"They do not look the best but we do think it does them good. I wouldn't have been too happy having to wear them but you have to move with the times."

Megson delivered the last comment with his tongue firmly in his cheek, although he could afford to smile after a deserved 2-0 victory.

Bernt Haas volleyed home his second goal of the campaign to put the Baggies in front after just seven minutes. And though the home side spurned numerous chances to extend their lead - including Jason Koumas' failure to convert a first-half spot-kick Scott Dobie steered home a header four minutes after the interval to send the Baggies into the last eight.

"I reminded my team that just because United left out some of their big names, it was still an important game," said Megson.

Though United fielded one of the most inexperienced defences in their history, with both Phil Bardsley and Paul Tierney making their debuts, the likes of Nicky Butt and John O'Shea were in the starting line-up, while summer recruits Kleberson and Cristiano Ronaldo cost over £18million between them.

"Kleberson is starting to show what a fantastic footballer he is now and that was one of the major plusses of the night," said Ferguson.

Ferguson, who confirmed that Wes Brown will not play in tonight's reserve-team encounter with West Brom and has instead been pencilled in for a second-string outing against Bristol City next week, also heaped praise on 19-year-old Bardsley.

WEST BROM: Hoult, Gregan, Gaardsoe, Gilchrist, Haas, Koumas (Adam Chambers 64), O'Connor, Johnson, Clement, Dichio (Sakiri 86), Hulse (Dobie 55).

MAN UTD: Carroll, Bardsley, O'Shea, Tierney, Pugh, Ronaldo (Eagles 77), Fletcher, Butt, Richardson, Bellion, Kleberson (Nardiello 77).

Referee: J Winter (Cleveland).