The vociferous visiting support had chanted ‘it’s just like being in church’ during the opening period, then found themselves undone by divine intervention in the form of second half substitute Solskjaer, who stroked home Paul Scholes’ through ball 11 minutes from time.

It was tough luck on West Brom, who had skipper Derek McInnes dismissed midway through the second period for a shocking tackle on Nicky Butt.

Central defender Darren Moore was outstanding, as was striker Jason Roberts, while goalkeeper Russell Hoult produced a series of fine saves which looked like frustrating United until Solskjaer pounced.

The result will be greeted with relief by manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who had been presented with a mass of problems even before he sat down to fill in his team sheet.

Rio Ferdinand was given a warm reception from the home fans, but unfortunately the world’s most expensive defender was making his way to his seat in the stand after injuring his ankle against Boca Juniors seven days ago.

Alongside him was Gary Neville, while Wes Brown and Fabien Barthez did not even make it as far as the stadium, Ferguson forced to name the same defence which had conceded that shock last-minute goal to Zalaegerszegi in the midweek Champions League qualifier.

If that was not enough, the controversy over Roy Keane’s autobiography continues to rage, United having learned late last night they - and their skipper - are set to face legal action from Alf Inge Haaland and Manchester City over that horror tackle in April last year.

Against that backdrop, the Baggies fancied their chances, although they might have been slightly bemused by the United formation.

With Solskjaer dropped to the bench, Ferguson deployed a four-man diamond formation in midfield, with Nicky Butt anchoring, David Beckham and Juan Sebastian Veron in the wide rolls, Keane at its head and Ryan Giggs freed up for a roving role.

It took some time to get used to, but Keane certainly benefited, seeing an early shot saved by Hoult, then failing with two headers, the first presenting an easier chance which he failed to connect, the second, from Beckham’s inch-perfect cross, producing a flying save from the Baggies keeper.

After keeping 27 clean sheets last term, West Brom had been expected to sit deep and rely on the counter.

Record signing Roberts certainly looked a threat, but had little support until midway through the opening period, when West Brom decided to push forward.

Roberts’ near post drive brought a good save from Roy Carroll and Danny Dichio should have done better when he miscued an Igor Balis pull back in a central position.

The encouragement drawn from those raids brought a more enterprising approach, which in turn created the space United had been looking for.

Butt, rewarded with a starting place as promised by his manager, drove into the area and rounded Hoult, only to push the ball slightly too far and find the side netting with his shot.

Then Giggs found himself on the end of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s speculative back heel but rolled a shot agonisingly wide.

West Brom emerged ready for a rearguard action, which Moore led brilliantly, but in Roberts they also had a striker capable of producing the kind of sucker punch the Hungarians had supplied.

He almost did it too, rounding O’Shea then shrugging off Blanc before drilling a shot into the side netting.

United huffed and puffed but to little effect, so the introduction of Solskjaer for Veron just before the hour was no surprise.

It proved the prelude to a flurry of activity which saw Keane booked, then McInnes for time wasting, before the Scot saw a red card brandished in his face for a ridiculous two-footed lunge on Butt.

West Brom were now under siege, and manager Gary Megson knew it, replacing the excellent Roberts with debutant Lee Marshall as United piled forward, Moore bravely charging down a Solskjaer volley.

Paul Scholes’ arrival for Neville flooded the midfield with bodies as Ferguson reverted to a back three.

It was not enough, van Nistelrooy had a header saved by Hoult, so on came Diego Forlan and off came Silvestre and suddenly United’s formation was 2-5-3.

Ferguson could not be faulted for his bravery and the approach was rewarded when Keane threaded a pass through to Scholes, who it turn fed Solskjaer, who stroked home the winner with ease.

The Norwegian might have had another but Hoult denied him with a superb stop before Beckham rasped a drive over.

It may have been hard-fought, but after the past seven days Ferguson will be thankful just to pocket the three points.