Albion 2 Manchester United 1

Albion did not need to throw their record signing straight in against Manchester United and ask him for heroics.

But, amid his brief but twinkle-toed contribution, Georginio Rutter got a good taste of what awaits him at his new club.

And the higher standards which are being set thanks to the busy summer of signings.

Joao Pedro, Rutter’s predecessor as the big money summer signing up front, produced a classic finish to secure the points deep into stoppage time.

His supplier was Simon Adingra who, for the second week running, took his chance to shine off the bench having lost his place in the initial XI.

Joao Pedro and Adingra were two of the big successes of last season.

The former retains the strong, direct and elusive running - plus the unpredictable nature – which quickly marked him out after his arrival from Watford.

But if there was one criticism in these early days, it was that he did not take some of the clearer scoring chances which came his way.

Here, he produced an expert finish after drifting quietly into an area of the penalty box well away from the red shirts all guarding the near post.

Adingra provided the thoughtful, measured service to add to his goal on the opening day.

Albion have lots of options and resources in attacking areas, some of whom we have not seen yet, and they were able to make the running late in a game which might have got away from them at one stage.

Having been inches from a 2-0 lead, they were dragged back level and fortunate not to go behind.

United were looking the more forceful side even after Amad Diallo had equalised and the offside Joshua Kirkzee unwittingly touched home and therefore invalidated what would have been a classic counter-attacking goal by Alejandro Garnacho. You do not often get luck like that and Heurzeler recognised it.

But his substitutes made an impact, including a triple change going into a minimum of seven added minutes.

Yasin Ayari’s shrewd pass allowed Adingra to supply Joao Pedro from a corner forced by Julio Enciso.

Huerzeler said: “What I want is that we show an attitude of never giving up every game and we focus on every game and trying to win it and try to be the best prepared team.

“Try to get the momentum and try to outwork the opponents.

“These wins build a good connection.

“But I know you always have to win the next game.

“You always have to make the next step.

“You always try to improve and that is my job and my passion.”

That pretty much summed up Huerzeler’s reaction both to this win and the opening 3-0 success at Everton.

Enjoy it but keep working, stay humble, be realistic, look at what you can improve.

Amid new signings not yet in the XI and other arrivals expected late in the window, Albion remain a work in progress.

But they had a familiar spine ahead of Jason Steele in Lewis Dunk and Jan Paul van Hecke at the back, Billy Gilmour back in midfield and Joao Pedro off Danny Welbeck up front.

The new boys will all play a part but they will know two things.

Firstly, that Albion are able to give them the time they need to settle.

Secondly, that competition for places will be fierce.

Gilmour shone in place of Mats Wieffer, the summer arrival who was denied a home debut by a minor injury.

Was it farewell? If so, Gilmour went out in style and received a standing ovation when he went off heading into stoppage time.

Heurzeler was more evasive about what the future holds for the Scotland international than he had been on Thursday morning, when he smiled as he told a press conference he expected the player to remain at the club beyond the coming transfer deadline.

But he is happy with the smooth transition being made from one head coach to another and recognises results help.

He said: “I’m not surprised because I see them working every day.

“I see the environment in there where everyone enjoys the work.

“They all have great character and we have great values in the club.

“I’m trying to continue building on the foundations of recent years.

“I have to integrate myself and my team to make the club better and give the club success.”

As at Everton, Albion did not get their football going right from the start.

They have had a look, then started to play a bit in both Prem fixtures to date and that can probably be extended to some of their pre-season wins.

But Danny Welbeck’s close range finish from a disguised pass across goal by Kaoru Mitoma, after Joao Pedro’s initial dangerous ball in, gave them the edge.

United had more backbone even than when they won at the Amex in May and they posed an attacking threat.

But they had a habit of straying offside. As did Everton a week earlier, funnily enough. Coincidence?

James Milner’s prod was hacked away from in front of goal and his industry to force a free-kick led to Welbeck heading against the bar.

Then the tide turned. Amad fired in via a deflection off the excellent Jan Paul van Hecke and, after a poor decision at one end by Yankuba Minteh, United countered and Albion had their slice of fortune thanks to Zirkzee’s unwanted finishing touch.

A point from there would have been a decent enough result for Albion but they did not settle for that.

Increasingly it felt like they were the more likely winners.

Huerzeler’s parents were at the game and waited for him to complete quite a lengthy after-match press conference.

There is a lot to talk about – and scope to improve.

He told reporters: “I’m happy how we finished the game but there were phases where we lost control of the game.

“We have to work on our consistency over 90 minutes.

“There are still a lot of games to improve. The work they showed today was impressive.”

Albion: Steele; Veltman, van Hecke, Dunk, Hinshelwood; Milner (Baleba 73),Gilmour (Ayari 90); Minteh (Rutter 90), Joao Pedro, Mitoma (Adingra 90); Welbeck (Enciso 79). Subs Not Used: Rushworth, Webster, Igor, Lamptey.

Goals: Welbeck 32, Joao Pedro 90+5.

Yellow card: van Hecke.

Man Utd: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire (de Ligt 79), Martinez, Dalot; Casemiro, Mainoo; Diallo (Antony 90), Mount (Zirkzee 46),Rashford (Garnacho 65); Bruno Fernandes (McTominay 79). Subs Not Used: Bayindir, Eriksen, Evans, Collyer.

Goal: Diallo 60.

Yellow card: Diallo, Mainoo.

Attendance: 31,537 Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire).