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Manchester United vs. Middlesbrough: Score, Reaction from 2016 Premier League
- Updated: December 31, 2016
Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba came to Manchester United’s rescue at the 11th hour on Saturday as the Red Devils fought back from a goal down to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 in the Premier League following goals in the 85th and 86th minutes.
Grant Leadbitter opened the scoreline early in the second half, but France internationals Martial and Pogba scored twice within a minute of one another to scrape all three points.
Pogba and Martial each hit the woodwork in the first half, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic controversially had a goal ruled out by referee Lee Mason after it was alleged the striker fouled Victor Valdes.
The Mirror’s Alex Richards highlighted the comeback result could hardly have come on a more fond milestone for the home club, either, as United completed a resurgence in “Fergie Time”:
On Fergie’s birthday, United do what they famously did at Camp Nou. 2 goals in 90 seconds. Terrific header by Pogba. https://t.co/Q1vjQOigoQ
— Alex Richards (@AA_Richards) December 31, 2016
Despite there not being a goal throughout the opening 45 minutes, United had plenty to be encouraged about in the opening period, and Pogba was breaking out the flair early on in an attempt to put his side ahead.
Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News praised the Frenchman’s early bicycle-kick effort on goal that struck the post, taking note of in-form Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s input in the buildup:
Terrific effort from Pogba (who looked to be offside) but Mkhitaryan’s awareness and knock-back typically class. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) December 31, 2016
The Red Devils continue to mount a major advantage in possession and actually accounted for two-thirds of the ball over the course of the first 45 minutes, per WhoScored.com.
The mood was dampened by Ibrahimovic’s goal that never was approaching the end of the half, although Squawka posted images showing Mason’s decision the Swede fouled Boro …
