Jose can look to his bench for big impact

IT seemed like it was going to be one of those familiar days at Old Trafford.

As the minutes ticked by, United huffed and puffed but could not find a goal against Leicester.

Juan Mata had a goal disallowed, crosses failed to find their man and Romelu Lukaku missed a penalty despite the best efforts of his shuffle run-up.

Paul Pogba even ended up on the right wing at one point as he struggled to influence the game.

But Leicester continued to frustrate, swarming United’s narrow attacks, with striker Jamie Vardy regularly 20 metres inside his own half. Was this going to be United’s 11th home league draw under Jose Mourinho?

The Portuguese regularly tried to cajole, encourage and clap United to goal after every restart but nothing was sticking.

Such is the renewed depth to this squad, Mourinho still had a trump card. Two in fact as he turned to his bench.

Anthony Martial had provided that bit of magic against West Ham and Swansea, but United were ahead in both of those games.

This was an altogether trickier task made for someone who had done it before – Marcus Rashford.

Exactly a year ago, the Wythenshawe lad stepped up with an injury-time winner at Hull in United’s third game of the season.

And he repeated the trick – albeit not in quite the same dramatic fashion.

Unmarked, three minutes after coming on, Rashford calmed nerves with a fine half-volley from Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s corner.

Another substitute, Marouane Fellaini, sealed the win 12 minutes later.

Mourinho predicted Rahshord’s impact – seven days ago at the Liberty Stadium.

As the plaudits rained down on Martial, following his contribution to all three second-half goals against Swansea, Mourinho reserved some praise for the teenager who had been booed throughout.

“Honestly I think if he was on the bench and he comes for the last 15/20 minutes when the space was there I think he would do the same as the other guys did.” He was right. Yet again, it was a telling impact from the bench and, yet again, Rashford responded brilliantly to being dropped.

It is easy to draw parallels with last season – three wins, three clean sheets and eking out a result in the third game. But this feels a little different. This young United side are growing in confidence with each game and look like they are capable of finally converting those draws into wins.

It could be the difference.