Manchester United visited riverside stadium on Sunday lunch time kickoff against Middlesbrough hoping to snatch three points and go 5th in the table. United started with Rashford, Mata and Lingard while Fellaini supported the attack with his late runs into the box. The moved paid back as United took the lead in 30th minute thanks to trademark header by Fellaini. United had other chances to score but failed to put the ball in the back of the net. The game was 1-0 in United’s favour at halftime.
Middlesbrough 1-3 Manchester United Highlights
[ English Premier League 2017 Match ]
30′ 0 – 1 Marouane Fellaini scored on the half hour mark when Ashley Young’s wonderful far post cross was meet by Fellaini to poke home the opener for United.
63′ 0 – 2 Jesse Lingard
77′ 1 – 2 Rudy Gestede
90′ 1 – 3 Antonio Valencia
Match Highlights
Mourinho Post Match Interview:
Jose Mourinho has finally getting the best out of his available squad winning all four of their recent league games and they are unbeaten in since 3rd November when they lost away against Fenerbahce. United’s four consecutive wins have not result in much of improvement as far as league positions are concerned as other top 4 challengers keep winning their games and United still find themselves 13 points behind league leaders Chelsea and 7 behind Liverpool who face City later in the day.
Last time these two meet was back on 31st december 2016 when Paul Pogba’s late strike won all three points for Manchester United.
Manchester United 2-1 Middlesbrough – 31st December 2016
[ English Premier League 2016-17 Match ]
45′ [ Haltime Report ] Manchester United absolutely bossed the first 45 minutes. Hit the woodwork twice with Pogba and Martial beating the keeper but unlucky not to score while Ibrahimovic’s perfectly fine goal was disallowed for dangerous play. Middlesbrough luck to be still in the game.
67′ 0 – 1 Grant Leadbitter scored midway through the second half
85′ 1 – 1 Anthony Martial made it 1-1 with 5 minutes of normal play to go.
87′ 2 – 1 Paul Pogba header wins the game for Manchester United. A deserved 2-1 win.
Team News & Lineups: Mourinho started with a strong side against Sunderland on boxing day and we can expect another full strength team with Henrik Mikhitaryan getting a start ahead of Juan Mata. Wayne Rooney is still doubtful which means Jesse Lingard, Pogba to start in attacking roles alongside Mikhitaryan while inform Ibrahimovic set to keep his place upfront. Michael Carrick and Herrera to start in central midfield roles while Daley Blind’s performance against Sunderland might keep his place in starting lineup with Jones, Rojo and Valencia making the back four.
Middlesbrough rely heavily on their front three with Alvaro Negredo leading the line while Cristian Stuani and Gaston Ramirez proving support in attack. They do look lightweight in midfield and thats were United can exploit by dominating the game in central areas.
Match Predictions: United look one of the most inform team at the moment and they way they are playing its perfectly suited for Zlatan Ibrahimovic who has scored 11 goals in last 11 games and I expect him to continue his hot streak. Mikhitaryan is more than likely to start against Middlesbrough and he bring pace and trickery which might prove too much for Middlesbrough defense. I am going with a comfortable 2-0 win for United in this one.