Match ends, Manchester United 2, Middlesbrough 1.
Manchester United 2-1 Middlesbrough
- From the section Football
Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba scored late goals as Manchester United deservedly beat Middlesbrough in the Premier League.
The home side had fallen behind when Grant Leadbitter gave Boro a shock lead, drilling home a low finish from Alvaro Negredo's knock down.
Up until then, United had bossed a match in which Pogba struck the post with an overhead kick and Martial hit the same upright with a long-range strike.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic also had a goal harshly ruled out for a high boot on ex-United goalkeeper Victor Valdes, while the Spaniard twice blocked the United striker's shots from close range in the second half.
With time running out, Frenchman Martial poked in on 85 minutes and fellow countryman Pogba headed into the top corner a minute later.
Relive Manchester United's late win from Old Trafford
Mourinho's men show their mettle
Having been frustrated following wave after wave of attacks, it looked like United were going to be left without a point when they fell behind at home to Boro.
Jose Mourinho's men had forced Valdes into 10 saves - which highlighted their dominance - and it looked like being a clean sheet for the keeper on his return to Old Trafford.
But United's 65% possession was worthwhile in the end as Martial and Pogba scored within one minute and 20 seconds of each other to spark jubilant scenes from both the home players and supporters at the final whistle.
The world's most expensive player Pogba danced in the middle of the pitch, while boss Mourinho hugged counterpart Aitor Karanka in consolation.
The Red Devils are now unbeaten in their last 10 league games - winning all five in December - and are just one point adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Man Utd
- 1de Gea
- 25A Valencia
- 3Bailly
- 12SmallingSubstituted forRashfordat 72'minutes
- 17BlindBooked at 57minsSubstituted forRojoat 64'minutes
- 27FellainiSubstituted forMataat 64'minutes
- 21Herrera
- 6Pogba
- 22Mkhitaryan
- 9Ibrahimovic
- 11Martial
Substitutes
- 4Jones
- 5Rojo
- 8Mata
- 14Lingard
- 19Rashford
- 20Romero
- 31Schweinsteiger
Middlesbrough
- 26Valdés
- 25ChambersBooked at 90mins
- 5Bernardo
- 6Gibson
- 3Friend
- 14de Roon
- 37TraoréSubstituted forFabioat 82'minutes
- 34Forshaw
- 7LeadbitterSubstituted forClaytonat 78'minutes
- 19DowningSubstituted forRamírezat 63'minutes
- 10Negredo
Substitutes
- 2Fabio
- 4Ayala
- 8Clayton
- 9Rhodes
- 12Guzan
- 18Stuani
- 21Ramírez
- Referee:
- Lee Mason
- Attendance:
- 75,314
Match Stats
Home TeamMan UtdAway TeamMiddlesbrough
- Possession
- Home66%
- Away34%
- Shots
- Home32
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home12
- Away2
- Corners
- Home12
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away14
Live Text
Full Time
Second Half ends, Manchester United 2, Middlesbrough 1.
Offside, Manchester United. Anthony Martial tries a through ball, but Juan Mata is caught offside.
Booking
Calum Chambers (Middlesbrough) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Anthony Martial (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Calum Chambers (Middlesbrough).
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Bernardo (Middlesbrough).
Paul Pogba (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Adam Clayton (Middlesbrough).
Attempt saved. Adam Forshaw (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by George Friend.
Goal!
Goal! Manchester United 2, Middlesbrough 1. Paul Pogba (Manchester United) header from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Juan Mata with a cross.
Goal!
Goal! Manchester United 1, Middlesbrough 1. Anthony Martial (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a headed pass.
Attempt saved. Juan Mata (Manchester United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ander Herrera.
Attempt blocked. Juan Mata (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a headed pass.
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Adam Clayton.
Attempt blocked. Juan Mata (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Paul Pogba with a headed pass.
Substitution
Substitution, Middlesbrough. Fabio replaces Adama Traoré.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match Anthony Martial (Manchester United) because of an injury.
Attempt saved. Paul Pogba (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Attempt saved. Anthony Martial (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Henrikh Mkhitaryan with a through ball.
Ander Herrera (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Álvaro Negredo (Middlesbrough).
Substitution
Substitution, Middlesbrough. Adam Clayton replaces Grant Leadbitter.
Foul by Anthony Martial (Manchester United).
Grant Leadbitter (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt saved. Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ander Herrera.
Attempt missed. Ander Herrera (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Anthony Martial (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Adam Forshaw (Middlesbrough).
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Adam Forshaw (Middlesbrough).
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester United. Marcus Rashford replaces Chris Smalling.
Offside, Manchester United. Anthony Martial tries a through ball, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic is caught offside.
Foul by Marcos Rojo (Manchester United).
Adama Traoré (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Offside, Manchester United. Ander Herrera tries a through ball, but Chris Smalling is caught offside.
Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Calum Chambers.
Attempt saved. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.