Could Albion spring an opening day surprise?

Last updated : 16 August 2002 By Luke Thornhill
Faces old club
Manchester United's defence will be severely weakened, with Wes Brown the latest name to be added to the injured list thanks to a fractured ankle which will rule him out for three months.

Record signing Rio Ferdinand will still be missing for them, as will Gary Neville and first choice goalkeeper Fabian Barthez.

Gary Megson is set to hand competitive debuts to summer signings Sean Gregan and Lee Marshall, as well as central defender Ronnie Wallwork who comes up against his former club.

The omens for Albion don't look good, Man Utd have not lost an opening day game in six seasons, winning their last two which were both played at Old Trafford. WBA meanwhile haven't won an opening day clash for four years, but is this the year to counter tradition?

If the words of Neil Clement are anything to go by, then the Baggies have every chance of doing so - and there's no doubt that even a point taken from Old Trafford would be a fantastic achievement and go a long way to ensuring that WBA are looking to prove the bookies wrong once again in twelve months time.

"The manager seems to have been very lucky. But I think more so he has done his research in the type of players he has signed and we all get on great which always helps," said Clement recently to the BBC.

"We all want to fight for each other and it is a great team spirit here.

"We stuck together last year when times get difficult and you just come through them together. So we will stick together this year and work hard for each other."