Tony Pulis: Let's enjoy our United test

The Baggies are unbeaten at home since Christmas, and have won three and drawn two of their five Premier League games at The Hawthorns.

Having picked up seven points from a possible nine, Pulis's team are now 12 points clear of the drop zone.

But it has been the improvement in style over the past two games - a 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace and a 2-2 draw with Leicester - which has pleased the fans the most.

"I think we've looked a threat going forward which is good, and hopefully we can look a threat on Sunday," said Pulis.

"We know it will be a tough game, they've had a great result again on Wednesday night so they'll come full of confidence.

"It's just making sure the players enjoy the challenge.

"The last three league games, we've won at Everton, we've beaten Palace and then we've had a good draw at Leicester.

"The last two games, Leicester and Palace, have been full of goals as well so it keeps everybody quiet."

Pulis will be without Chris Brunt in defence after the left-back was ruled out for six months with a knee injury, and Jonny Evans is not expected to return in time from his hamstring problem.

Long-term absentees Callum McManaman and James Morrison are the only other injury concerns.

United come to The Hawthorns level on points with Man City who are fourth having won four games on the spin.

Teenage striker Marcus Rashford has burst onto the scene with four goals in his first two games for Louis van Gaal's team and England manager Roy Hodgson says the youngster is now 'in contention' for a place in the Euro 2016 squad.

"I think Van Gaal has always done that at the clubs he's been at," said Pulis.

"He brought a lot through at Ajax. If they're there, he plays them, so fair play to him, but you have to be good enough.

"If Rashford had played and he wasn't good enough, he wouldn't be in the team and we wouldn't be talking about him.

"He's played him and he's played really well and that's why we're talking about him."

In many ways the perceptions of Pulis and Van Gaal have mirrored each other this season.

At one point both managers were being heavily criticised for an unadventurous style of play, but now both are enjoying an upturn in results and performances.

"They could end up getting into the Champions League and winning one of the major cup competitions so let's see how it finishes," said Pulis, when asked about Van Gaal.

"It moves so quickly, either one way or the other.

"You're either on a run where everybody's talking about how well you're doing or you get a dip and everybody's talking about how badly you're doing.

"That's the Premier League, you have to stay focused and you have to carry it both ways."

Old Trafford has been a happy hunting ground for Albion in recent years but they haven't managed to beat United in a league game at The Hawthorns since 1984.

But the Manchester club do not hold the same fear factor as they once did.

"Respect is the word more than anything else," said Pulis.

"Every team in this league deserves respect, Manchester United along with every other side will always get the respect teams in the Premier League deserve.

"That's what we'll do, we'll show them the upmost respect and we'll prepare a game plan to win the game."