When Davy Propper was thrown in at the deep end, days after signing, and struggled in the opening game of the season against Manchester City at the Amex, supporters were wondering whether Albion's recruitment team had dropped a clanger.

Now they have the answer. The £10 million Dutch international midfielder from PSV Eindhoven heads to Old Trafford tomorrow as an increasingly influential mainstay of their Premier League challenge.

Propper is one of 35 players to have played every minute of every match so far. Three of the others are team-mates - midfield accomplice Dale Stephens, goalkeeper Mathew Ryan and central defender Lewis Dunk, who will be making his 200th career start.

Manchester United also have four ever-presents, although that could change. Propper and Stephens will be up against Nemanja Matic in the centre of the park, David De Gea and Antonio Valencia too, but maybe not Romelu Lukaku.

The former Everton marksman could be rested by Jose Mourinho to make way for Zlatan Ibrhamiovic's first start since suffering a long-term knee injury.

Chris Hughton is unlikely to contemplate leaving out Propper ahead of Crystal Palace's visit on Tuesday.

Beram Kayal is yet to feature in the first team since breaking a leg in August and Steve Sidwell is still sidelined after back trouble.

Irrespective of the restricted options, Propper has forged an effective partnership with Stephens and never looks short of energy.

He has come a long way since the Seagulls tackled the blue half of Manchester on their Premier League bow (below).

The Argus: "I am enjoying it very much," Propper said. "We are doing great and we have to keep doing what we are doing.

"I feel better and better (since Man City). In the first couple of months you get used to playing over here and with your other team-mates. Now it's normal.

"So far it's good. I feel good, I feel fit, I like to play a lot of games, more than the training!

"The last couple of years I am used to it, playing all the games.

"We'll have to see how it goes but for now I feel fit and ready for these upcoming months."

Propper's ubiquity was threatened by a slight thigh injury sustained in Albion's last away game at Swansea.

He was rested from Holland's friendly against Scotland but returned against Romania. Back on club duty, he played a major role in Monday's 2-2 draw against Stoke at the Amex with a purposeful run and cross for Pascal Gross's first equaliser.

A point gained or two dropped? Even Propper does not seem sure. He said: "I think after all it was a good point - but if we had done some things better I think we could have won the game."

A point from Old Trafford would undeniably be a bonus and Propper has form in that respect.

He was in the PSV side wich earned a draw at Old Trafford in the Champions League two seasons ago (background below) after beating them at home.

The Argus: "It's nice to play there," he said. "It's a great stadium, great atmosphere, so I'm looking forward to it.

"The result was zero-zero, so we did well. It was the year we went through the group stage.

"We played well, a lot of defence of course, but they couldn't find a solution. It was a great result for us."

Can Albion pull off an improbable repeat against United, unbeaten at home for a club record 38 games in all competitions since losing to City 14 months ago?

"We'll have to play better than we did against Stoke," Propper said.

"They have some good players. I don't think it matters who plays. They are a good team and we have to be as strong as normal.

"I know Daley Blind from the national team. He's not been playing much, but I like him. He's a good player.

"It has to be broken (United's unbeaten home run). Hopefully we can do it. We can play free. Of course, you want to win, so you have a little bit of pressure."