Manchester United 2-0 West Brom: Robin Van Persie settles United’s nerves

Scorers: Manchester United; McAuley o.g. 9; Van Persie 90

Yet the performance of skipper Nemanja Vidic was equally notable, as he guided United to only their fourth Premier League clean sheet of the season after Gareth McAuley’s early own goal had put the hosts in front.

Plagued by injury for the past 16 months, and restored to the United line-up for the only the second time since his most recent knee operation, Serbian Vidic used all of his experience to ensure the hosts were not made to pay for a lacklustre second-half display.

And when Van Persie curled home a brilliant effort in the final minute, the Red Devils’ handsome seven-point lead at the top of the table was preserved.

After all the furore around Ferguson’s confrontation with Mike Dean on Boxing Day, mascot Fred the Red probably approached the United boss with a degree of trepidation as the pair met on the touchline prior to kick off.

The exchange was cordial, though, as was the jocular encounter between Ferguson and fourth official Phil Dowd shortly afterwards.

And once the match started, referee Jon Moss did little to get the United manager vexed

United got their noses in front after nine minutes courtesy of McAuley, who could only divert a cross from Ashley Young into his own net.

It should have been more but a Young shot brilliantly saved by Ben Foster was they closest they came to adding to the lead.

Danny Welbeck – afforded a rare start in a central striking berth – and Shinji Kagawa – back for the first time since suffering a knee injury in October – both sparkled for the hosts but, with heavy rain continuing to pour down on a sodden surface that required a precautionary inspection a couple of hours before kick-off, United started to get stuck.

Little wonder substitute Van Persie’s arrival midway through the second period was greeted with such enthusiasm, underlining the Dutchman’s influence since his summer move from Arsenal.

Van Persie was denied by Foster with nine minutes remaining but the former England keeper could do nothing about the Dutchman’s late shot, which curled expertly into the top corner from Paul Scholes’ pass.