Earnshaw in for injured Kanu

West Brom boss Bryan Robson unleashed in-form Robert Earnshaw on his old friends from Old Trafford at a sold-out Hawthorns today.

United legend Robson restored Earnshaw to the starting line-up in place of groin injury victim Kanu, hoping he could improve his record of four goals in his last three games.

Earnshaw was Robson’s only change from the side which performed so creditably to gain a point from last week’s trip to Arsenal.

United boss Alex Ferguson made three changes with Wes Brown replacing virus victim Gary Neville in defence.

Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher replaced Alan Smith and Cristiano Ronaldo respectively but Ruud van Nistelrooy overcame his own virus scare to start.

Ferguson knew the importance of putting one over his old United charge with his side starting the day nine poins behind leaders Chelsea.

West Brom: Hoult, Scimeca, Moore, Purse, Clement, Greening, Sakiri, Johnson, Gera, Contra, Earnshaw. Subs: Kuszczak, Hulse, Horsfield, Gaardsoe, Robinson.

Man Utd: Carroll, Brown, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Heinze, Fletcher, Keane, Scholes, Giggs, van Nistelrooy, Rooney. Subs: Howard, Ronaldo, Smith, O’Shea, Fortune.

Referee: S Bennett (Kent)