Martial puts Man Utd's top four bid back on track

MANCHESTER Anthony Martial (pictured) put Manchester United's bid for a top four nish back on track as the French forward ended his goal drought in yesterday's crucial 2-0 victory against Wolves.

Martial had gone eight games without scoring before he netted in the rst half at Old Tra ord.

United's rst win in three matches was wrapped up by Alejandro Garnacho's stoppage-time goal.

After successive defeats at Brighton and West Ham threatened to ruin their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League, Erik ten Hag's side restored order at Old Tra ord.

Fourth-placed United, who sit behind Newcastle on goal di erence, moved four points clear of Liverpool, who are fth and play at struggling Leicester on Monday.

After that xture, United will still have three matches left while Liverpool will have only two to play, leaving Ten Hag's men in control of their top four destiny.

Former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was back at Old Tra ord for the rst time since being sacked in November 2021.

Solskjaer was all smiles as he took photos with fans before kick-o , but even the Norwegian's most ardent fan had to acknowledge the impressive progress made under Ten

Hag this season unforced derlined the failings of his own troubled reign.

Ten Hag made three changes as Marcus Rashford was sidelined by a leg injury, while Wout Weghorst and Tyrell Malacia dropped to the bench, with Martial, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane coming in. United had scored only six times in their previous nine games, o ering Liverpool renewed hope after six successive wins for Jurgen Klopp's team. Wolves went close to snatching a shock lead when Craig Dawson red just wide after Pedro Neto pulled the ball back to the defender inside the United area.

But Bruno Fernandes' free-kick a save from Wolves' rookie keeper Daniel Bentley as United's pressure gradually mounted. The chances kept coming for United as Christian Eriksen whistled his strike just wide from long-range before Antony headed wastefully over from six yards.

Results

Leeds 2 – 2 Newcastle

Crystal Palace 2 – 0 Bournemouth Aston Villa 2 – 1 Tottenham Chelsea 2 – 2 Nottingham Forest Southampton 0 – 2 Fulham Supersport