THE VERDICT: M’BORO 1 UNITED 3
JOSE Mourinho called it wrong – but you wouldn’t have known it as he raised his hands and virtually danced down the tunnel as Antonio Valencia secured United’s three points against Middlesbrough.
He can predict the Reds will lose every match if this is the response he gets.
Mourinho had appeared resigned to defeat after the Europa League match against Rostov and, for once, you suspected there was more reality than psychology attached to his assessment that United would probably lose on Teesside.
When the Reds manager’s starting XI was announced, United fans on social media joined in with the general white flag waving.
Add the fact Middlesbrough were expected to rise to the occasion in the wake of the sacking of manager Aitor Karanka, it was all adding up to a day when it appeared United were best to get back down the A19 as quick as possible and hope they would still have enough matches left to gatecrash the top four.
But Boro’s early possession dominance amounted to little and Mourinho’s recent new-look defensive plan was allowed to bed down without too much fear of their teething problems with the scheme being exposed.
The fatigue that has been handicapping United of late was not a problem for Marcus Rashford.
If only the young Mancunian’s footwork had matched his speed. He had his opponents constantly back-pedalling and only needed a goal to cap a hardworking display.
Former Reds goalkeeper Victor Valdes, jettisoned by Louis van Gaal, rolled the years back to his Barcelona days to keep out Rashford twice, though the teenager did help with the job.
Ashley Young is sparsely used under Mourinho so had plenty in his fuel tank and combined defensive duties with a willingness to charge 80 yards upfield to serve United’s attack.
When he served up a deep cross for Marouane Fellaini in the 30th-minute former United full-back Fabio realised he was in a no-win aerial duel with the Belgian and the Reds were one up.
Jesse Lingard was one of those picked out by fan critics for being a weak link in Mourinho’s choice.
But whatever your opinion of him, he certainly knows how to finish spectacularly. No tap-ins for him.
United put the match beyond the reach of the fragile hosts after 62 minutes when Boro backed off Lingard giving him Gestede (70) Fellaini (30), Lingard (62), Valencia (90) 64% 36% 10 14 8 3 32,689 Clayton Jones Jonathan Moss the time and room to unleash a swerving thunderbolt.
Mourinho packed his defence as Middlesbrough rallied and tired limbs began to flag but numbers meant nothing when Marcos Rojo, Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling all miserably failed to clear in the 77th minute before Rudy Gestede stepped in to finish off.
It set up a nervy finale before Valdes slipped taking a back-pass and Valencia walked in the third in added-on time.
“Victor Valdes he’s one of our own,” taunted the Reds travelling support but you sense it was sung with a bit of relief.