MANCHESTER UNITED 1 ALBION 2

In the end, twice was enough. For history-making Albion, for Pascal Gross - and for Graham Potter.

The Albion head coach punched the air in delight before his team’s euphoric fans in a corner of Old Trafford which became Sussex for an afternoon.

They called for him to do it again - so he thought for a moment then he did.

This time with a bit of build-up, a bit of a theatrical touch.

About as much build-up and flair as there was to that magical second goal which ultimately proved to be the winner.

And then, as Potter headed to the distant tunnel at the Stretford End, they asked him to do it again - for a third time.

This time some applause from the boss towards the fans was enough before leaving them to their celebrations.

Those celebrations were special. As was the performance - in different ways.

Two super goals, of course, and a dominant first-half performance.

But Albion have played well and been on top at Old Trafford before in recent years.

Okay, never 2-0 up. But on top. It has never ended well.

This is not a vintage United team, of course.

But, once Robert Sanchez’s desperate swat of a rebound off Diogo Dalot had in turn bounced in off unlucky Alexis Mac Allister to halve the lead, the pressure was on.

From a crowd who had found their voice, from Cristiano Ronaldo as a sub. From any nagging doubts based on previous visits (though that will have been for fans rather than the players, who had other things to think about).

But they saw it through. Kept their shape, discipline and composure.

Produced some great blocks, notably Adam Webster and Lewis Dunk.

Then, as the heat increased, they made shrewd changes, their subs played a part and they saw it through as comfortably as could have been expected.

It was a result and performance for the ages. One in which you hesitated to pick out individuals.

But let’s pick one out anyway. He deserves it.

Former United target Moises Caicedo was a midfield monster, especially in the first half as he helped defence and assisted his side in possession.

He might be their next £60 million-plus transfer target - but let’s not go there just yet.

This was the fourth season out of four under Potter in which Albion have won their first away match.

Old Trafford joins Vicarage Road, St. James’s Park and Turf Moor in that hall of fame.

But this first ever win for the club at United’s celebrated home takes pride of place.

They went in with three recognised specialist defenders and a line-up which was brave.

Or, maybe a better word, confident.

They might have gone ahead inside ten seconds when Leandro Trossard forced an error but shot into the side-netting.

Their one let-off soon followed.

Bruno Fernandes blazed over from near the penalty spot after Mac Allister got back to block Scott McTominay’s effort when Jadon Sancho opened them up with a clever pass.

The breakthrough came on the half-hour.

Trossard played a pass into the path of Danny Welbeck, who was just onside, down the left.

Welbeck, again outstanding in helping others play, rolled the ball across goal and Gross tapped in at the far post. Simple - but deadly.

The second was even better.

It started when Trossard looked to be trapped near his own corner flag.

He got out of it with a back heel pass for Caicedo.

Adam Lallana carried the ball forward and found Solly March.

His low shot was parried by David De Gea and Gross was sharp to send the rebound high into the net.

Ronaldo went on early in the second half, which lifted a crowd who had booed their side off at the break.

But Welbeck might have killed off his old side. First, with a header over and then when he had a good case for being bundled over in the box.

United reduced arrears midway through the second half.

The ball eventually went in off Mac Allister in a scramble as Sanchez swatted the ball against him and, after a VAR check, the own goal stood.

Sanchez did not deal with the corner, the ball bounced goalwards off Dalot’s back and the keeper’s attempt to rescue things was in vain.

A first ever win at Old Trafford was under threat then.

But justice was done - and done in style.

Manchester United: De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw (Malacia 89); Fred (Ronaldo 52), McTominay (Van de Beek 77); Sancho (Elanga 89), Fernandes (Garnacho 89), Rashford, Eriksen.

Goals: Mac Allister og 68.

Yellow card: McTominay, Martinez, Maguire, Shaw.

Albion: Sanchez; Veltman, Dunk, Webster; March (Colwill 89) Mac Allister, Caicedo, Trossard (Mwepu 74); Gross, Lallana (Lamptey 74); Welbeck (Undav 90).

Goals: Gross 30, 39.

Yellow card: Trossard.

Referee: Paul Tierney.