Middlesbrough vs. Manchester United: Score and Reaction from 2017 Premier League

Manchester United moved up into fifth place in the Premier League table on Sunday, as they coasted to a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. 

Marouane Fellaini rose highest in the box in the 29th minute to give the Red Devils a deserved lead. In the second period Jesse Lingard doubled their advantage with a rasping strike at the end of a brilliant run in the 62nd minute.

Rudy Gestede set up a nervy finish with a goal for Boro 14 minutes from time, but the away side were able to eventually see out the win, as Antonio Valencia grabbed a third after a gift from Victor Valdes in stoppage time.

Following a frantic start to the game in which Boro put United under pressure, the visitors started to assert themselves in the contest and create chances.

Marcus Rashford was the man who the clearest ones fell to, but he was twice denied by brilliant stops from Valdes in the Middlesbrough goal. His second effort was part of a superb double save, keeping out Valencia’s low strike at the near post.

Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News thought the young forward should have scored, though:

United didn’t have to wait too much longer for their opener, with the Middlesbrough defence starting to creak.

It eventually came just before the half-hour mark, with Ashley Young’s deep cross finding Fellaini at the back post. The Belgian, so good in those positions, made no mistake, heading beyond Valdes to grab his first goal of the Premier League season.

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While Fellaini applied the finishing touch, Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe praised the delivery from Young:

Boro did come forward after falling behind, with Marten de Roon unable to find Alvaro Negredo after neat interplay down the left flank. However, Jose Mourinho’s men were well worth their lead at the break.

In the second period Middlesbrough showed some intent in their play again, although as has been the case for much of the season, they were lacking a genuine cutting edge in the final third. The same could not be said of United, though, who doubled their advantage in some style.

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Lingard picked the ball up and bombed forward to within 25 yards. With no pass on, the forward took aim from distance and smashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Per Bleacher Report’s Karl Matchett, United were causing big problems on the counter:

Boro, with little to lose, brought on Gestede and started to pump crosses into the United box with a lot more urgency. Mourinho introduced Marcos Rojo and sought to shut up shop, with his side switching to a very defensive shape.

Inviting pressure on seemed to unsettle a previously solid United defence, though, Chris Smalling in particular. Indeed, the centre-back’s skewed clearance fell perfectly for Gestede in the area, who made no mistake.

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Sports journalist Liam Canning was far from impressed with the defending from United, as Boro had a route back into the game:

The away side retreated further back after conceding, with Mourinho utilising what was a six-man defence at times. However, Valencia settled any late nerves thanks to a shocking error from Valdes.

The former United stopper tried to clear the ball upfield, but slipped as he took a step back. It gave the onrushing Valencia the easiest of opportunities, rolling home into the unguarded net to seal the win for the Red Devils.

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United will be delighted to sit above sixth place in the table for the first time in weeks and supporters will still feel there’s a chance of the team securing a spot in the top four. Having played so much football recently and made a lot of changes to his team, Mourinho will be pleased with the application showcased here.

Boro, meanwhile, face a massive fight to stay up. Having parted ways with Aitor Karanka the club’s hierarchy would have been hoping for some sort of reaction here, but it didn’t come. Caretaker manager Steve Agnew must find a way of livening this team up in the final third.

Reaction

Per BBC Sport’s Simon Stone, after the contest Mourinho suggested the team are still confident of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League:

Lingard spoke about the variety in United’s play and admitted he wasn’t initially looking to shoot before doubling the team’s advantage.

"We had a lot of pace up front today and obviously we had the ball players in midfield to dictate the play," he said, per BBC Sport. "All round it was a good game for us. I was looking for the pass, there weren’t any options so I took it on myself and luckily it went in."