United have the look of champions

WEST BROM 1
(Shane Long 37)
MANCHESTER UNITED 2
(Wayne Rooney 13, Steven Reid 81-og)

PICTURE: ACTION IMAGES

IT MAY only be their first match of the season.

But as title rivals Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool all dropped points, Manchester United didn't even need to get themselves warmed up to defend their Premiership title at West Bromwich Albion.

Despite David de Gea failing to save a 37th-minute Shane Long equaliser following Wayne Rooney's 13th-minute opener, the Red Devils continued chipping away at the hosts before nicking a late winner - courtesy of a Steven Reid own-goal after the effervescent Ashley Young burst down the left to deliver a cross.

Players may come and go, but United's fighting spirit never wavers - not while Sir Alex Ferguson is around anyway.