Manchester United 3-2 Newcastle United: 4 men who saved Mourinho’s job

#3 Anthony Martial

Manchester United v Newcastle United - Premier League

The Frenchman had been good in recent games and as a result he was selected ahead of the misfiring Alexis Sanchez in the front three. However, Martial did not do enough in the first half to justify his selection. He was poor in the final third, his decision making was dismal and he could not break the Newcastle defence. He did not have too many clear cut chances, but he could not create any chances for his team either.

But like Mata, Martial looked better in the second half. He responded to the change in tactics, he sent in good balls and he tried to draw the Newcastle players to create spaces for his team mates. When Alexis Sanchez was stripped and ready to come on, there were thoughts that it might be Martial’s time. But Mourinho correctly took off the under performing Rashford and almost immediately Martial won the free kick that Mata scored from.

However, Martial was not done yet. Six minutes later, he found himself on the left again and beautifully combined with Pogba, who set him up with a glorious ball. Martial curled the ball into the net first time and the comeback was on. Even without the winner, the desire and hunger showed by Martial till the end ultimately means that he might have been instrumental in saving Mourinho’s job.