Middlesbrough 1 Manchester United 3: Victor Valdes’ late gaffe adds more misery for Boro as United go above Arsenal and Everton into fifth
Goals from Marouane Fellaini, Jesse Lingard and Antonio Valencia sealed three points with Rudy Gestede bagging his first Premier League goal in consolation
United were involved in a nervy finish but held out to defeat Middlesbrough 3-1 in today’s early kick-off.
The victory means Jose Mourinho’s men move up to fifth spot – while Middlesbrough’s relegation woes continue under caretaker boss Steve Agnew.
Marouane Fellaini was left unmarked to head Manchester United into a first-half lead.
Despite hosts Boro dominating possession, it was defensive frailties that once again cost them. First Marouane Fellaini was left unmarked to head United into a 30th minute lead, and then Jesse Lingard strode through at will to curl his side 2-0 ahead in the 62nd minute. Jesse Lingard was allowed all the time in the world in the second half to fire in Manchester United second goal.
But without his mate Paul Pogba on the pitch, Jesse Lingard had to adopt a new celebration style.
Substitute Rudy Gestede gave Middlesbrough some hope when he nutmegged David de Gea from five yards out following a goalmouth scramble
But as Boro pushed for a late equaliser, a slip by Boro keeper Victor Valdes gifted a tap-in for Antonio Valencia, and the home side’s misery was complete.
There were some unsavoury scenes at the end when United defender Eric Bailly clashed with Gestede, but it was Jose Mourinho’s men who held on to collect a vital three points in their assault on the top four.
Facts, Stats, Goals and Lols
After moaning about “fatigue” in the week, Jose Mourinho made seven changes from Thursday’s team that beat Rostov.
United left-back Luke Shaw, however, can still not get a game. Mourinho preferred Ashley Young to play left wing-back – and he assisted for their first goal.
Steve Agnew made three changes for Middlesbrough in his first team selection since taking over from Aitor Karanka has caretaker boss.His biggest call was starting the previously axed Stewart Downing, whose fall-out with Karanka was instrumental in the Spaniard getting the sack.
Substitute Rudy Gestede then brought Middlesbrough back into the game as he netted not long after coming on.
Rudy Gestede goal is his first Premier League goal since signing for Middlesbrough
Victor Valdes looked like he had something to prove against his former club. He made a stunning double save from Marcus Rashford and Antonio Valencia midway through the first half – but it’s a cruel world and his late slip gifted United’s third goal.
Marouane Fellaini’s 30th-minute opener was his first Premier League goal since December 2015.
Jesse Lingard’s 62nd-minute stunner was also his first in the league since scoring at Chelsea in February 2016.
Agnew brought on Rudy Gestede to play alongside Alvaro Negredo after 67 minutes – a change from the stubbornness of Karanka who always refused to play two strikers together.
Gestede’s goal was his first league goal for Boro and the team’s first in eight and a half hours.
But a late slip by Boro keeper Victor Valdes gave Antonio Valencia an easy tap-in as he made it 3-1. It was credit to Antonio Valencia who never gave up the chase and added a third for United in the 93rd minute.
What they said
Jose Mourinho said after the game: "I was impressed with our attitude and desire, and our way of thinking. It wasn't A, B, C, D, E, F, it was N, O and P. These guys gave absolutely everything.
"We controlled everything until our second goal, they then changed the play with Gestede and Negredo, they started putting long balls into the box, but the mistake was letting them push us into our box.
"It was then a fighting 15 minutes, the game was alive until the last second.
"It's fantastic as we have managed in the same week to reach the quarter-final of the Europa League, and we get these three points to be in the race for fourth position.
"We have two doors open to the Champions League. But it was too much for us, injured players, suspended players.
Boro caretaker boss Steve Agnew said: "We are disappointed to lose the game, but I couldn't be more proud of the players, the fighting spirit.
"If we show that spirit until the end of the season, we have a great chance of staying in the league.
"It's been a relief to get that goal. I felt when we scored that goal, we had Manchester United defending for their lives.
"It's a club I have a big affection for, I love the area, and it's a pleasure to be in charge of the team, and to see them respond the way they did.
"I know they will take that fighting spirit into the rest of the games this season."
Goalscorer Jesse Lingard said: "We had a lot of pace today, it was a good all round game for us.
On the goal he added: "I took it on myself, and obviously it went in.
"Marcus [Rashford] was a nuisance up front, he's played up front and was very good today."
Fellow goalscorer Marouane Fellaini added: "It's always a pleasure to score a goal, it was a great cross from Ash, it was a good goal.
"It was tough in the end, they pushed, they played long ball, they had a physical presence.
"We qualified for the quarter-final of the Europa League, we won today, obviously against Chelsea we played with 10 men so it was difficult."
0 Comments