Man Utd 2 - 1 MiddlesbroughPaul Pogba caps dramatic fightback to save Manchester United’s winning run
Home team scorersAnthony Martial 85
Paul Pogba 86
Away team scorersGrant Leadbitter 67
Here was a rip-roaring finish reminiscent of the very best of Manchester United as two late goals in two minutes turned defeat into the sweetest of wins.
This had appeared to be yet another tale of how José Mourinho’s side could not turn domination into three points following the home draws with Burnley, Arsenal, Stoke City and Everton this season.
On 84 minutes United trailed to a Grant Leadbitter strike and given Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a perfectly fine first-half opener chalked off by referee, Lee Mason, for an apparent high foot when the contest was goalless Mourinho and team had every right to feel aggrieved.
But now Anthony Martial equalised before Paul Pogba’s header with four minutes left sent Old Trafford into raptures. Martial’s goal came after Eric Bailly’s floated ball up was knocked down for him by Ibrahimovic. Pogba’s winner came from a sweet right-footed ball in from substitute Juan Mata.
A bright start featured both sides having chances to score. The visitors’ opening came when Adama Traoré dispossessed Ander Herrera near halfway. From here the winger raced straight towards David de Gea’s goal and should have asked a serious question of the goalkeeper. Instead, Traoré dilly-dallied and the threat fizzed out.
This was about as good as it got for the next quarter of an hour as United peppered Víctor Valdés’ goal. As is becoming usual for this Mourinho outfit, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pogba were often involved. At one point the latter headed onto the former and his overhead kick grazed Victor Valdés’s right post.
Mkhitaryan also delivered a corner onto Marouane Fellaini’s head that the midfielder hit straight at Valdés and earlier fed Martial who should have taken aim instead of passing.
Middlesbrough emerged from this and issued a warning. Traoré’s pace beat Daley Blind and Chris Smalling to put him in. When he turned the ball across the penalty area to George Friend, De Gea was exposed but the left-back’s shot was blocked by Fellaini.
United’s next chance came via a Fellaini chest-down that went to Martial. He skipped into the area and the snap shot from Mkhitaryan that followed was gathered by Valdés.
What impressed about United was the pace of play and its fluidity. Mkhitaryan regularly wandered in from the right and Pogba’s late runs were mirrored by Fellaini. Twice the Belgian threatened. He drifted into the box to send a header just over and later took aim in the area but the ball was deflected away.
Martial was having his best game in a long while. When the Frenchman hit a rocket shot at Valdés only his right-hand post saved him. The visiting keeper was about to make himself unpopular in these parts despite having once been at United due to his role in the disallowed Ibrahimovic strike.
Yet again Martial was a key figure – his run and cross found the No9 who rose to stab home. Only after this did Ibrahimovic make contact with Valdés yet Mason, for some erroneous reason, ruled it out. Cue boos for the referee and for Valdés, who may have made a meal of the challenge.
This meant it was 0-0 as the second half began and United had 45 minutes to try and make their superiority count. Ibrahimovic was given an instant chance when Pogba fed him but his outside-of-the-boot attempt hit Valdés’s legs. Next, Pogba found the striker again and his cross-shot was nearly turned in by Mkhitaryan.
As Mourinho continued an on-going dialogue with fourth official, Neil Swarbrick, at the other end an Adam Forshaw effort went close. On 65 minutes the Portuguese brought on Marcos Rojo for Blind and Mata for Fellaini. United were virtual residents in Middlesbrough’s territory but still they waited for the breakthrough.
Now, though, came a blow: Calum Chambers pinged in the ball, Alvaro Negredo headed down, and Leadbitter struck. Mourinho’s reaction was to throw on Marcus Rashford for Smalling and play three at the back. The youngster’s first act was some dazzling footwork down the left but his final ball to Ibrahimovic was amiss.
Now came United’s memorable finish – they constantly peppered Valdés’ goal and in the end got what this deserved.
Guardian