In the absence of marquee summer signings Paul Pogba and
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, United’s stand-ins proved able deputies against Middlesbrough.
Pogba picked up a hamstring injury in the win over Rostov
and Zlatan was serving the second of a three-match ban for violent conduct
after his clash with Tyrone Mings.
Daley Blind was also forced off against the Russians and a
fatigued Henrikh Mkhitaryan was rested for the visit to the struggling and
managerless Teessiders.
Marcus Rashford’s pace and penetration proved a constant
menace to the home side’s defence – and Bernardo Espinoza in particular.
Jesse Lingard capped a man-of-the-match showing with another
spectacular finish, and celebration to match, and Marouane Fellaini’s powerful
presence ensured that the injured Pogba was not missed.
The Belgian headed in the opening goal from Ashley Young’s brilliant
cross and continued his recent renaissance in Jose’s United side.
Fellaini has often been a divisive and much-maligned figure
at Old Trafford and reached a nadir with a clumsy cameo after coming on at
Everton in December.
He gave away a late penalty but has enjoyed the best form of
his United career since.
Lingard continued his penchant for the spectacular with a
contender for goal of the season, reminiscent of his goal against Palace in the
FA Cup final.
His movement, energy and link-up play proved too much for
Middlesbrough to handle and he was at the heart of everything going forward.
Lingard gets his fair share of criticism but he and his
partner in crime Rashford were simply superb at The Riverside.
These two young, local talents continue to prove United’s
faith in youth is unrivalled in driving us forward for many seasons to
come.
Rashford led the line on his own and deserved a goal for
another selfless and dynamic showing.
The young striker has struggled in front of goal this season
with seven goals in 40 appearances abd again drew a blank at Boro, if not for
the want of trying.
Former United keeper Victor Valdes twice thwarted Rashford
after he had burst clear, but his relentless running unsettled Boro throughout.
Ashley Young took advantage of United’s injury problems with
an impressive performance at left back and then, latterly, the left wing.
On the other flank, Antonio Valencia continues to go from
strength and strength.
You’d be hard pressed
to find a better full-back than the lung-busting Ecuadorian who must be one of
the favourites for our Player of the Season award.
No Pogba, no Ibra but no problem for the Reds as we demonstrated that Jose has an embarrassment of riches and the deepest squad in the league at his disposal.
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