Kaoru Mitoma has hailed the depth of the Albion squad after a much-changed team thumped Wolves 6-0 on Saturday.
Roberto De Zerbi made five changes to the team that lost to Nottingham Forest, with Mitoma among those who was dropped to the bench, as Albion responded to the defeat at the City Ground with their most emphatic top-tier victory.
“We showed that we are a great group,” Kaoru said. “There’s almost no difference between the starters and the bench.
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“I don’t know what will happen next time [against Manchester United], but I think the players who always start could feel a sense of urgency. It was great and what was important is adding another three points.”
Deniz Undav made his mark on Saturday’s game with his first two Premier League goals.
The German forward played with Kaoru at Royale Union Saint-Gilloise last season, with the Japan international delighted to see his teammate break his league duck in his 15th Premier League appearance.
“He scored two goals as a result of his hard work in everyday training. His goals were the result of his great effort. I’m very happy for him also because I knew him from our time in Union.”
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Kaoru accepts that being dropped to the bench was nothing personal – the first time he hadn’t started a Premier League game in 17 matches – but he was more keen to make an impact when he was brought on for the final half an hour.
“You can have such a desire [to try and make a big impact]. But we have to play for the team. I’d like to show my own strength for that. Entering from the bench, you are fresh and the opponents are tired. So I could play aggressively when possible.
“[Moises] Caicedo and [Alexis] Mac Allister didn’t start as well, so I can understand that decision. But there were also players who started as always. I think I have to become a more irreplaceable player.”