Match report: Middlesbrough 1-3 United

United made it 18 league games unbeaten and moved into fifth position with a deserved and hard-fought win at struggling Middlesbrough.

In the Teessiders first match since the sacking of Aitor Karanka on Thursday, United were missing marquee summer signings Paul Pogba through injury and the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Pogba’s replacement, Marouane Fellaini, headed United in front on the half hour before Jesse Lingard’s brilliant 25-yarder doubled the lead.

The visitors were pegged back when Rudy Gestede halved the deficit, but Antonio Valencia capitalised on former United keeper Victor Valdes’ error late on.

Under the caretaker stewardship of Karanka’s assistant Steve Agnew, goal-shy Boro were the lowest scorers in the league and had slipped into the bottom three after a torrid recent run.

United were almost off to the perfect start after six minutes when Marcus Rashford burst clear but was thwarted by the onrushing Valdes.

Opposite number David de Gea saved well from Gaston Ramirez but the Reds were dominant and nearly capped a wonderful team move with a 24th-minute opener.

Jesse Lingard found Juan Mata who crossed for Rashford and Valdes blocked, before the former Red also somehow kept out Valencia’s follow up.

The breakthrough was not long in coming though as United moved ahead on the half hour mark.

Ashley Young picked out Fellaini with a superb cross and the big man headed in at the near post from close range.

Former City man Alvaro Negredo headed wide, before Marten de Roon pulled the ball back for the onrushing Spaniard, but he was unable to connect.

United frequently threatened to hit Boro with the pace of Rashford, Lingard and Valencia, and that quality arrived in emphatic style just past the hour mark.

Valencia found Lingard who collected the ball from deep, drove at the back-pedalling Boro defence before he unleashed a dipping 25-yarder reminiscent of his FA Cup final goal last season. 

Negredo should have done better with a pair of headers, but Agnew then introduced Gestede and the change paid dividends.

It was he who took advantage of Chris Smalling’s mis-kick to sweep home past De Gea and give Boro hope of an unlikely fightback.

The revitalised hosts pushed a late leveller, but United weathered the flurry and put the result beyond doubt in stoppage time.

Valdes slip allowed Valencia to rob him of the ball and tap in his first of the season to send United fifth ahead of the international break.

Overall team performance: 7/10
United Faithful Man of the Match: Jesse Lingard 

Romero and Rojo prove their worth against Rostov

United were indebted to stand-in stopper Sergio Romero in Thursday’s Europa League win over Rostov.

The Argentinian made three fine stops, including a save of the season contender from Christian Noboa at the death, to prevent the Russians from forcing extra-time. 

He beat away the Rostov captain’s 30-yard free-kick with stunning reflexes and was also at his best to keep out Sardar Azmoun and Miha Mevlja during a second half in which the visitors came on strong. 

Romero was signed on a free at the beginning of last season and has been an impressive understudy to David de Gea in that time. 

He was man of the match on his United debut against Spurs and earned the honour again with a brilliant performance on Thursday. 

Such has been Romero’s influence that to call him a second string choice almost seems demeaning and unfair.

 de Gea is, rightly, the team’s number one but nothing about Romero is second rate - in fact, he’s staking a claim for the title of best back-up keeper in the league.

He’s only ever been on the losing side in a United shirt twice in 21 appearances and has conceded only three goals in his eleven starts this season.

His reflexes, shot stopping and distribution are as good as any keeper in the league and he’d surely be number one at any other club but the Reds. 

He played in the World Cup final and has proved influential as our cup keeper this season during the run to the Europa League quarter finals.

It wasn’t just Romero who caught the eye against Rostov.

His compatriot and fellow countryman Marcos Rojo continued his renaissance with another quietly impressive and consistent performance.

Rojo has had his critics and struggled for form under Louis van Gaal but - like so many of his team-mates - Jose’s arrival has co-incided with an upturn in form.

He was arguably our man of the match in the FA Cup defeat to Chelsea, something that would have been unthinkable last term.

With Eden Hazard in full flight on a raucous night at The Bridge, Rojo was a picture of intensity and energy as he attempted - ultimately in vain - to press Chelsea into submission. 

His outing was a lesson in desire and determination - the apparent stamp on Hazard aside. 

When Rojo plays at centre-back, with Romero behind him, he is no longer a liability, a player to be watched anxiously through the fingers. 

Jose's Reds revolution continues apace and there's no greater exponent of that than Rojo. 

United to face Anderlecht in Europa League quarters

The Reds have been drawn against Belgian side RSC Anderlecht with a place in the last four of the competition at stake.

United edged through to the quarter-finals with a slender 2-1 aggregate win over Rostov after Juan Mata's solitary goal at Old Trafford. 

As with the last 16 tie against the Russians, the two-legged contest is sandwiched between a heavyweight meeting with Chelsea.
With tournament favourites Roma and Monchengladbach now out of contention, Jose and the team are now the clear front-runners to go on and lift the trophy in May's Stockholm final. 

The first leg will be played at the Constant Vanden Stock stadium on 13 April with the return at Old Trafford a week later.

Anderlecht's elimination in the Champions League third qualifying round pushed them into Europe's second tier tournament.
On route to the clash against the Reds, they finished second in Group C before they edged past Zenit Saint Petersburg on away goals.

They saw off Cypriot outfit APOEL Nicosia (2-0 on aggregate) in the round of 16 and currently lead the standings in their domestic league ahead of Club Brugge.

Even though matches between the two sides have been few and far between, Anderlecht hold a unique place in United's history.

The Belgians provided the opposition for the Reds first ever foray into European competition back in 1956.
The "Busby Babes" won 2-0 in Belgium before, most famously, Anderlecht found themselves on the end of the Reds record scoreline - a 10-0 win in the second leg at City's Maine Road ground. 

The sides next meeting came in November 1968 when United were holders. 
A 3-0 win at Old Trafford proved just enough for the Reds to go through on aggregate despite a 3-1 defeat in the away match.

Anderlecht also won the last meeting at their place, 2-1 in the group stage in the 2000-01 season, but we avenged that defeat with a 5-1 thumping at Old Trafford in the return. 

Of the sides left in this year's tournament, Lyon look to be the most dangerous threat to United's hope of winning this trophy for the first time. 

The Ligue 1 side knocked out strongly fancied Roma 5-4 on aggregate in the last round and will now face Turkish team Besiktas
Elsewhere, Ajax play Schalke (who knocked out Monchengladbach) and Genk won the all-Belgian affair to set up a tie with Celta Vigo. 

Match report: United 1-0 Rostov (2-1 agg)

United survived a late scare against Rostov to edge into the Europa League quarter-finals through Juan Mata's second half goal.

Mata clipped home from Henrikh Mkhitaryan's low cross to send the Reds into the last eight - but we were indebted to stand-in stopper Sergio Romero.

The Argentina pulled off four stunning saves as Rostov came to life after the break, including one of the season's best from Christian Noboa at the death.

The Reds lost Paul Pogba to a hamstring injury early in the second half and the world's most expensive player now faces an enforced absence. 

United were completely dominant in the first half but struggled to find a way beyond Rostov's massed defensive ranks.

Nikita Medvedev saved well from an early Marcos Rojo header and Zlatan Ibrahimovic - available in Europe despite a domestic ban - struck the post from a tight angle.

United's positive attacking intent pinned Rostov back and we twice went close again in quick succession, with the Swede at the heart of everything.

He had a free-kick blocked by Andrei Prepelita and was then denied by Medvedev after Mata had delightfully played him through. 


Despite the visitors need for an away goal of their own, the Russian side were intent to simply sit back and frustrate United.

Mkhitaryan had a penalty appeal waved away after he was shoved in the back but the elusive breakthrough then almost arrived on two occasions.

The Armenian's clever lob drifted inches wide and then Ibrahimovic unleashed an unstoppable effort that thumped back off the post for a second time.

Much-criticised Paul Pogba forced a good save from Medvedev on the stroke of half-time with the tie still in the balance but United ahead with the away goal.

With that in mind, the Russians came out of their shell and almost took a shock lead on 55 minutes. 

Sardar Azmoun's 20-yarder was beaten out by Romero, and the keeper then saved well again from Miha Mevlja.

Ibrahimovic headed over the bar from Antonio Valencia's cross, but the Reds patience finally reaped the rewards with 20 minutes to play.

Mata scored from close range after neat link-up between Ibrahimovic and Mkhitaryan to take him into double figures for the season.

The closing stages became increasingly nervy with United reliant on Romero as a brilliant reflex stop thwarted first leg goalscorer Aleksandr Bukharov.

An even better save followed as the Argentine tipped over Noboa's free-kick from distance in the final action.

Overall team performance: 6/10
United Faithful Man of the Match: Sergio Romero

Match preview: United v FC Rostov (Agg: 1-1)

United have the edge against Russian side Rostov who make the 1,872 mile journey to Old Trafford for a place in the last eight of the Europa League.

On a much-maligned playing surface at the Olimp-2 last week, Henrikh Mkhitaryan's all-important away goal (his third successive strike on the road in Europe) was cancelled out by Aleksandr Bukharov. 

Despite that, 1-1 away from home is Europe has to be considered a good result and the Reds very strong home record in the competition - a 100% win rate - puts us in the driving seat for progress to the quarter finals. 

Having suffered only a second defeat in 29 matches at the hands of Chelsea in the FA Cup, United return to action as they continue a busy week in a bid to lift the only major trophy to elude us.

Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial have not recovered from the injuries that ruled them out at the Bridge but Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ander Herrera - both banned domestically - will feature. 

Eric Bailly will return from a one-match European suspension having been sent off in Saint-Etienne. 

The visitors will be missing suspended duo Aleksandr Gatskan and Timofei Kalachev, while Vladimir Granit broke his collarbone and will miss out.

This is the Reds third outing in eight days, but Jose played down any talk of fatigue, and said:

"My boys are all good professionals and good professionals find strength, energy, motivation and desire.

"The players are ready, playing at Old Trafford always give them a little bit extra and that is important when we are trying to qualify. 

"If we do that, then the teams in the quarter-finals are not easy, so it is difficult for us but we are going to try.

"We can cope with this situation, the fans can give us that extra support and now we can fight to be in the quarter finals. 

"It's a very important competition for us, that's why we play with a good team, a strong team, from day one."

Russian Premier League side Rostov, under the stewardship of Latvian Ivan Daniliants, have reached the knockout stages of a European tournament for the first time ever. 

Form guide: United W W W D D L  FC Rostov W W D W D D 
Match odds: United 6/1 Draw 11/2 FC Rostov 19/5 
Referee: Lithuanian Gediminas Mazeika takes charge of his first ever United match 

'Brand Pogba" outshone by brilliance of metronomic Kante

In the absence of talismanic figurehead Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Chelsea, United needed world record £89 million signing Paul Pogba to step up and prove his worth. 

When a player signed for an over-the-odds fee is struggling for form and his team have lost, he is always going to be made a scapegoat and Pogba is no exception.

The spotlight will always fall on him, sometimes unfairly, but the Frenchman does not help himself with his frequent change of hairstyles and shameless flogging of "Brand Pogba." 

The effort and endeavour of many of United's players put Pogba to shame.

Marcus Rashford ran himself into the ground despite illness and Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young and Marcos Rojo - late clash with Eden Hazard aside -  all enjoyed more profitable nights than the fitful contribution of the world's most expensive player.

He struggled again and another disappointing night was amplified by the relentless brilliance of the hosts magnificent midfield metronome N'golo Kante.

The contrast between the two Frenchmen could not have been starker.

Where Pogba's showing was one of listless indifference, countryman Kante was once again quite simply immense for his side.

Kante was perpetual energy and industry as he started attacks, broke up United's moves, linked the play effortlessly and capped another man of the match showing with a brilliant and deserved winner.

Pogba simply could not get into the game either before Chelsea took control or afterwards when Mourinho looked to his showpiece summer capture - the signing he set his heart on - to revive United. 

Pogba's quality should prevail given time at Old Trafford but he is falling short at the moment. 

He was not signed for his defensive acumen but is not offering nearly enough going forward either.
When an opportunity did arise in front of goal, he fluffed his lines with a presentable chance that quite possibly would have forced extra-time. 

Chelsea's fans revelled in Pogba's struggles as they serenaded him with chants of "what a waste of money" - accusations that cannot be levelled at Kante who looks a £30 million bargain. 

In his defence, he looks like a player who's been running on empty of late and is in need of the rest Jose seems averse to giving him. 

Fatigue seems to be compounding his problems but he will probably start on Thursday and in the upcoming league games with Middlesbrough and West Brom because of Ander Herrera's suspension.

A bridge too far for United despite brave and valiant effort

United's hopes of retaining the FA Cup disappeared with the flash of Michael Oliver's red card in the 35th minute of this quarter final.

An already uphill task was rendered almost impossible when Ander Herrera was sent off for a (harsh) second booking for a clumsy foul on Eden Hazard.

The Belgian, as he did all night, greatly exaggerated the coming-together to get the Spaniard sent off and despite a bravely valiant effort, the tie proved a (Stamford) Bridge too far for the team. 

The players can take great heart from their performance, though. 

There's no shame in getting knocked out by the best team in the country and a side who remain overwhelming favourites for the domestic double.

With the odds stacked against them in adversity, the Reds showed courage and commitment and kept going until the death.

Instead of the feeble surrender we saw in October and despite the numerical disadvantage, there was the heart-warming sight of a spirited late rally on the Chelsea goal.

Had Paul Pogba's 86th-minute effort crept in the corner and not narrowly wide, United would've forced extra-time and then who knows what might have happened.

In the absence of their three main forwards, the Reds summoned Marcus Rashford from his sickbed and, despite not being 100% fit, the young man was our best performer.

He almost capped a superb individual display with a goal - thwarted only by Courtois after a breathtaking counter-attack - and ran his socks off all night in a selfless showing of pace, energy and industry. 

Antonio Valencia was again immense at right wing-back and there were also stellar showings from Ashley Young and Marcos Rojo - who could face FA action after a late altercation with Hazard. 

This was a brilliantly feisty and frenetic encounter that lived up to its billing, with as much drama on the touchline as the pitch.

The two managers kicked every ball on the touchline and at one point had to be pulled apart by fourth official Mike Jones.

The flashpoint came when Mourinho - angered by what he interpreted as a Marcos Alonso dive - exploded with fury and clashed with Conte in a heated exchange of bad blood.

It was a feud that bubbled throughout but ended amicably with a warm handshake and embrace on the final whistle. 

With our FA Cup run over, attention now turns to another cup competition as we face Rostov on Thursday for a place in the Europa League quarter-final.

Jose has always maintained that the competition - and the Champions League prize it brings - has been of priority for him and the team this term.

Despite Monday's disappointment, there are lots of positives to take ahead of the run-in which could still end in European glory in Stockholm in May.