Manchester United 2 Boro 1
Manchester United 2 Middlesbrough 1, Old Trafford, English Premier League, December 31, 2016. Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba hit late goals for Manchester United as they came from one goal behind to defeat Premier League new boys Middlesbrough 2-1 at home after Grant Leadbitter had given the visiting side the lead seven minutes past the hour mark.
Manchester United had to make do without the physical presence of Wayne Rooney who had been ruled out with a thigh injury, while Middlesbrough had to cope without the suspended Antonio Barragan. Swedish Manchester United marksman Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a goal controversially disallowed for a high foot seven minutes ahead of the interval and instead it was Middlesbrough who took the advantage against the flow of play thanks to an opportunistic close range finish from Grant Leadbitter in the 67th minute of the New Year´s Eve clash. But with the match approaching its conclusion, Manchester United staged a late comeback as Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba found the back of the net in the 85th and 86th minutes respectively. Manchester United Team: David de Gea, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Antonio Valencia, Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Anthony Martial. Substitutes: Marcos Rojo, Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford, Phil Jones, Jesse Lingard, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sergio Romero. Middlesbrough Team: Víctor Valdes, George Friend, Bernardo Espinosa, Benjamin Gibson, Calum Chambers, Marten de Roon, Grant Leadbitter, Stewart Downing, Adam Forshaw, Alvaro Negredo, Adama Traore. Substitutes: Fabio, Adam Clayton, Gaston Ramirez, Daniel Ayala, Jordan Rhodes, Cristhian Stuani, Brad Guzan.
Manchester United Quickfacts
Manchester United, then playing under the name of Newton Heath, defeated Middlesbrough 4-0 in a Second Division fixture at Bank Street the 8th of September 1900 with goals coming from forwards William Jackson and Thomas Leigh, central defender William Griffiths, and left winger John Grundy.
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