Manchester United registered a scrappy 3-1 win over relegation-threatened Middlesbrough and overtook Arsenal on the league table. A goal on each side of the halftime saw United take a two-goal lead. However, Rudy Gestede’s strike in the 77th minute saw the game heading for an interesting finish.
While Boro pushed men forward, United found space on the break. One such instance saw Valencia track the ball back to Victor Valdes, the Spanish goalkeeper then lost his footing trying to clear the ball and the Ecuadorian calmly put the ball in the back of the net.
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Here are five talking points from a match which saw United finally move up the table.
#1 3-4-3 is the way forward?
After playing with a three-man defence in the Europa League match against Rostov, it was believed that Mourinho wanted his side to be ready for Chelsea. However, the Portuguese manager seems to be carrying on with the formation.
United started the match with Bailly, Smalling and Jones at the back. Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia were the left and right wingbacks respectively. Though this was far from a convincing performance from Mourinho’s defence, it does look the way forward.
#2 Fellaini, Valencia and Lingard on the scoresheet after a long period
With Paul Pogba out injured and Herrera suspended, Mourinho stationed Fellaini and Carrick in the midfield. Time and again, the Portuguese manager has shown his faith in the Belgian, despite a lot of flak from the Red Devils fans.
However, the midfielder proved his manager’s faith in him right by scoring the opening goal for the visitors, his first in Premier League since December 2015. On the other hand, the Wembley hero, Jesse Lingard scored a screamer to double United’s lead, which was his first in the league in 13 months.
Perfect time to step up when half the team is missing through injury or suspension.
#3 Jones, Bailly and Smalling fail to clear the danger as Gestede scored
The visitors were seemingly cruising home with three points in their bag and Mourinho had just brought on Rojo so that United can play two banks of five and four, with Rashford the only player up front.
However, the fans in the Riverside stadium got behind their team and it resulted in Middlesbrough coming back to reduce the deficit. A lofted ball from Adama Traore towards Negredo saw all three of United centre backs failing to clear the line. Ultimately, Gestede got to the end of the loose ball and slotted it past De Gea to bring a bit of spice in the match.
#4 Boro fall deeper into the relegation zone
Middlesbrough had failed to win any of their last 11 matches in the Premier League coming into the match. With Aitor Karanka’s sacking last week, there were expectations that Steve Agnew might do a ‘Shakespeare’ and bring the team back on winning terms.
However, a subdued first half saw United take the lead and then double it after the half-time. Gestede’s goal did see the Boro faithful hope that there is a way back in the match. But an error at the back from Valdes saw Valencia easily slot the ball in the back of the net to officially end any chances of a Boro comeback.
This defeat leaves them with 22 points in 28 matches, five less than Swansea who sit at the 17th position. Their next couple of fixtures, against Swansea and Hull City respectively will more or less decide their fate.
#5 No more sixth place for United
England’s most successful club, Manchester United, had not moved from the sixth position (end of a matchday) since December last year. However, Arsenal’s loss against West Brom last night left the Red Devils with a chance to leapfrog them on the table with a win.
And after 105 days, United have finally moved out of that dreaded sixth place which the club had made its own. They are now two points above Arsenal and three short of Liverpool who have played a match more.
If the Merseyside club fails to win against Manchester City later in the day then United will have a glorious chance to leave their perennial rivals behind by winning the two matches in hand they’ll have.
Also Read: EPL 2016/17: Middlesbrough 1-3 Manchester United, Player Ratings
