RASHFORD TO THE RESCUE
Substitute Marcus saves Mourinho with late winner at Hull
MARCUS RASHFORD, a late substitute, scored an injury-time winner to end Manchester United’s mounting frustrations after a rearguard action by this season’s surprise package, Hull City.
Rashford converted Wayne Rooney’s cross from the left to maintain Jose Mourinho’s 100 per cent record in the Premier League this season — and put them level on points with Chelsea at the top.
‘We deserved it and in a more comfortable way,’ said Mourinho.
‘It is a great feeling when you win the points in the last minute.
‘The boys were very strong and the second half was like going to fight against a wall. We had an amazing mentality.’
It was certainly a relief for the visitors but the late drama was tough on Hull, whose goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic had already made a brilliant stop to deny Rashford.
The evening game on Humberside had been billed as one of the great mismatches. Hull City had only 13 fit senior players, a caretaker manager and every one of the Manchester United starting line-up bar Zlatan Ibrahimovic cost more than their most expensive player, £10million forward Abel Hernandez.
Hull’s interim boss Mike Phelan — a former United No 2 under Sir Alex Ferguson — has been so stretched for resources he only made one substitution in the opening two league games against Leicester and Swansea.
Not surpisingly, there is an enthusiastic siege mentality among the home fans. There were roars when Marouane Fellaini was penalised for chopping down Adama Diomande, though the free-kick went to waste.
And spirits were further raised when news filtered through that Hull FC’s rugby league players had beaten Warrington 12-10 at Wembley to win the Challenge Cup.
Could Hull’s footballers follow suit? Certainly United did not do anything to scare them in a cautious opening, with Mourinho’s men keeping their shape and a header from Ibrahimovic on to the roof of the net their only early chance.
Interestingly, £89million Paul Pogba was the one United player given a little license to roam.
Pogba and Ibrahimovic, two world stars, tried a one-two and makeshift centre-back Jake Livermore calmly stepped in to break up the move.
David Meyler pickpocketed Pogba by the touchline then Diomande beat Fellaini in a 50-50 and was caught by the Belgian, who was booked. Robert Snodgrass was close with the resulting free-kick.
After 25 minutes, Snodgrass’ dedication saw him slide into the upright as he challenged Luke Shaw for a cross at the far post.
The Scot later departed for countryman Shaun Maloney and Hull caretaker boss Mike Phelan revealed: ‘Robert was taken off as a precautionary measure with a tight calf.’
Nonetheless, Gordon Strachan will be hoping he will be available for the clash with Malta next week.
As for United, some of their buildup play was so slow and deliberate, you wondered if Louis van Gaal had wandered back into the dugout.
It took half an hour for Jakupovic to be called into action and his save from Pogba was comfortable.
In fact, it was David de Gea in the other goal who had to make the first proper dive, though the Spaniard would have been disappointed to let in a flick header by Hernandez.
Anthony Martial sent a header from Antonio Valencia’s cross at Jakupovic as United finally moved up a gear. Rooney’s free-kick on half-time reached Ibrahimovic, whose first touch took him wide and second was a backheel into the sidenetting.
Clearly Mourinho had used the half-time team talk to tell his men to get stuck in.
United’s frustration was growing and Mata was waved offside as he raced to meet Ibrahimovic’s flick inside the penalty area. In Rashford, though, they found an answer.