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Manchester United’s green shoots of recovery with big win against Fulham

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MAN UNITED 4, FULHAM 1

Manchester United posted their biggest Premier League victory for 13 months against newly-promoted Fulham, further evidence of recent green shoots of recovery.

After the spirited showing in the 2-2 draw in midweek against Arsenal, also at Old Trafford, United were far too strong for the bottom-of-the-table Cottagers.

There has been an energy in the last two games that was conspicuous by its absence earlier in the campaign.

Goals from Ashley Young, Juan Mata, Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford earned the points that lifted the Reds from eighth to sixth place.

It was the first time United had scored four goals in a game since the FA cup tie against Yeovil last season.

Indeed, United carved out 20 goal attempts with 11 on target, evidence that they have found the cutting edge that eluded them in earlier games.

Reds’ manager Jose Mourinho was pleased with his side’s showing, saying:  “The first half was good at every level.

“It was a good result and there were good individual performances and for Rashford and Lukaku, who have had no goals for some time, it was good for them.”

Mourinho praised new Fulham manager Cluadio Ranieri for changing the game at half time to nullify them.

He added fatigue also told, especially with hard working midfield pair Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera.

“It was only natural the intensity was down as you cannot run like they did for two games coming so quickly together,” he said.

United made four changes from the side that drew 2-2 against Arsenal in a hugely entertaining game to make it a remarkable 50 for the season in Premier League games.

Eric Bailly and Anthony Martial were enforced through injury while Marcos Rojo was on the bench and Matteo Darmian not included in the matchday 18.

There were call ups for Phil Jones and Young at the back, Juan Mata in the middle and Romelu Lukaku up front.

There was still no place in the starting line up for Paul Pogba who was again on the bench.

Luke Shaw was injured in the pre-match warm up so his place on the bench went to Andrea Pereira.

After an uneventful opening, United took a 13th minute lead with their first chance of the game.

Overlapping left-back Young cut in from the left past Denis Odoi and fired high into the far top corner of the net, a fabulous individual goal, his first of the season and first at Old Trafford since May 2016.

United doubled their advantage in the 28th minute through Mata’s fourth goal of the season.

Lukaku and Rashford linked on the left and the latter squared a pass to Mata as the Spaniard swept home a shot from 18 yards low to the left of keeper Sergio Rico.

The lively Rashford could have made it 3-0 when his 35-yard piledriver free kick was well kept out by Rico.

A third goal soon arrived following another fabulous move.

Jesse Lingard split open the Fulham defence with a sumptuous pass to release Mata on the left and his low cross was easily converted by Lukaku, his sixth of the season. It was Mata’s 50th assist in the Premier League.

And Lukaku had a chance to add a fourth goal shortly before the break, but Rico save well low to his left.

United began the second half on the front foot as Rashford and Lukaku twice went close to increasing the lead further.

Mourinho made their first change just short of the hour when Chris Smalling made way for Rojo.

United ought to have had a fourth goal after a poor clearance from Rica to Lukaku who released Mata who in turn set up Herrera who shot narrowly wide.

Fulham got on to the scoresheet midway through the second period after Herrera conceded a penalty for a trip on half-time substitute Aboubakar Kamara who slotted home the spot kick.

If Fulham thought a comeback was on the cards, it was quickly cut short as they were reduced to 10 men one minute later when Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa was sent off for a foul on Rashford, his second yellow card.

United made a second change with 17 minutes left when Jesse Lingard was replaced by Fred.

The Reds almost restored a three-goal lead when Rashford forced a diving save from Rico who moments later denied Lukaku.

But it was soon 4-1 as Rashford scored a superb solo effort,cutting in from the left before shooting low inside Rico’s near post, only his third goal of the season.

It was Rashford’s last action as he was immediately replaced by Scott McTominay as the game petered out in the latter stages.

Manchester United rediscover ‘happiness’ after twice battling from behind to hold in-form Arsenal

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MAN UNITED 2, ARSENAL 2

Manchester United produced the desire that Jose Mourinho had questioned as they twice came from behind to gain a spirited point against Arsenal at Old Trafford.

A much-improved performance, though, failed to produce victory as the Reds remained eighth in the table and eight points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea as they are now without a win in four Premier League games.

But it was a display that lifted spirits as United extended their unbeaten record to 12 home Premier League games since 2006 against the Gunners who stretched their unbeaten run to 20 games in all competitions.

In what was an enthralling and error-strewn game, United could conceivably have scored all four goals as Arsenal’s strikes could well go down as David De Gea and Marcos Rojo own goals.

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United’s manager could not fault his side’s display, explaining: “I am frustrated by the result, frustrated by our mistakes and more quality was needed, but I am happy with the spirit.

“We scored all four goals in a 2-2 draw, but shot ourselves through missed chances and defensive mistakes, but it was a fantastic performance, but we are punished every time we make a mistake.

“I am not happy with the result, but we needed happiness on the pitch.

“We played a team at the top of their moment and everything is going well for them.

“They are a team on a high against a team with so many problems and which shoots ourselves.”

Mourinho was delighted with his patched-up defence explaining he had “a lot of people in very difficult circumstances”.

He was referring to Eric Bailly and Rojo whose campaigns have been blighted by injury while Diogo Dalot and Matteo Darmian have seen little action.

And he believed in summer signing Dalot he has a player who can be United’s right back for the next 10 years.

Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata, nearly £250mm of signings, found themselves on the bench as Mourinho made seven changes from the side that started at Southampton on Saturday.

David De Gea, Nemanja Matic, Ander Herrera and Marcus Rashford were the only survivors.

There was a completely new back five of Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, Diogo Dalot and Matteo Darmian.

Arsenal made only one change from Sunday’s derby win against Tottenham as Aaron Ramsey was preferred to Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

It was strange as this was the first time in 82 games since 1986 that neither Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger were in charge of the two clubs.

United’s new-look side made a bright start with Rashford and Anthony Martial both shooting straight at keeper Bernd Leno as Gunners’ fans chanted they wanted Mourinho to stay.

But it was largely a case of the teams cancelling out one another as they both played 3-4-3 systems.

Arsenal made the breakthrough in the 26th minute after an uncharacteristic error from De Gea who allowed Mustafi’s downward header from Lucas Torreira’s corner to slip through his hands.

Herrera cleared the ball, but goalline technology ruled it crossed the line.

United were level five minutes later through Martial who was fouled 25 yards from goal.

Rojo’s excellent free kick, directed over the defensive wall, was well pushed out by Leno.

Herrera, however, was quick as a flash on to the loose ball that he cut back for Martial to fire home.

Arsenal were forced into a defensive reshuffle when Stalybridge’s Rob Holding was taken over on a stretcher with what looked a painful knee injury. He was replaced by Stephan Lichtsteiner.

The Gunners were forced to make a second change at the restart as Ramsey, who picked up a knock late in the opening period was replaced by Mkhitaryan.

Rojo forced Leno to turn his 30-yard drive over the crossbar as United looked to go ahead for the first time.

United’s first change just after the hour was enforced as Martial limped off to be replaced by Lukaku.

Arsenal’s third and final changes mid-half saw the introduction of £52m substitute Alexandre Lacazette.

And Lacazette was instrumental in Arsenal regaining the lead in the 68th minute as he seized on a poor pass from Rojo before taking a return pass from Mkhitaryan and firing past De Gea, though replays suggested it may have been Rojo who turned the ball past De Gea who was again left floundering.

United made it 2-2 straight from the restart in three passes as Darmian pumped a long ball upfield over Lukaku as Lingard ran through to score.

Arsenal twice came close to regaining the lead when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was twice denied by super saves from De Gea.

United made their last two changes when Rojo and Lingard made way for Pogba and Fellaini.

Arsenal were denied a last-minute winner when United old-boy Mkhitaryan had a goal ruled out for offside.

De Gea made a fine stop to keep out Torreira’s effort but Mkhitaryan had strayed offside as he found the net from what looked an impossible angle.

Manchester United’s late show as they beat Young Boys to book last 16 place in Champions League

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MAN UNITED 1, YOUNG BOYS 0

Marouane Fellaini’s stoppage-time winner enabled nervy Manchester United to claim a place in the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League.

On another massively frustrating night at Old Trafford, the Reds laboured until Fellaini scored a hugely important goal.

It spared United having to avoid defeat at Valencia in their final game in group H to proceed to the last 16.

And Fellaini’s goal helped United avoid an unwanted record – four home games in the Champions League without a goal.

After firing blanks against Valencia and Juventus, United could ill afford another against the group’s bottom club whose display was anything like whipping boys as they were a threat with their rapid counter attacks.

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United manager Jose Mourinho admitted it was a combination of “frustration and relief” that prompted him to pick up a crate of water bottles and fling them to the ground following Fellaini’s goal.

He said: “I didn’t play for that, 0-0 and be in trouble in the last minute which was so frustrating.

“I was not unhappy with the players, but frustrated we didn’t score.

“My players were tired at the end which I loved as that shows they gave everything.

“There were moments of quality and beautiful football , but there was also a lack of confidence which frustrated us.”

While Fellaini won the plaudits, Mourinho pointed out without Dave De Gea’s incredible late save, there would have been no winning goal.

He described De Gea as “a world-class keeper and the best in the world” adding it is important he stays at Old Trafford as his contract winds down.

Mourinho said: If our ambitions are to be a big club, a winning club, we need the best goalkeeper in the world and best other players.

“I know he wants to stay and his agent is happy to do what the player wants.. The board wants him to stay and hopefully sooner rather than later it will be concluded.”

Mourinho also had a “little curiosity for my lovers and lovers of stats”.

He pointed out he has qualified for the knockout phase of the Champions League for all 14 seasons he has been in the competition.

And in the two seasons, he wasn’t in it, his teams won the Europa League,

Mourinho added it was “an achievement, but not a fantastic one” to be in the last 16 as it was a difficult group in which they could easily have finished third.

United’s manager refused to comment on further criticisms on television by pundit and former Reds’ legend Paul Scholes.

Mourinho made six changes from the side that started Saturday’s home goalless draw against Crystal Palace.

Losing their places were Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Juan Mata, Ashley Young, Matteo Darmian and the injured Victor Lindelof.

Elevated to the starting line up were Antonio Valencia, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw, Fred, Fellaini and Marcus Rashford.

Pogba, Lukaku and Mata were, however, on the bench as back-up, but there was no place in the squad for out-of-favour Alexis Sanchez.

There was a sea of yellow at Old Trafford with Young Boys having a boisterous following of 3,500, all wearing yellow rain tops

United missed a glaring change to take a fifth minute lead when Shaw’s long through ball released Rashford who shot over from 18 yards with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Mourinho shook his head in disbelief as United surely won’t get many better openings all night.

Fred then saw a drive narrowly clear the crossbar in a positive opening by the Reds.

Rashford had another two chances, shooting low and straight at keeper David von Ballmoos  and then dragging a drive just wide after being set up by Jesse Lingard.

Lingard then had a shot deflected narrowly wide with claims for handball waved away as the breakthrough remained elusive.

Shortly before half time Fred curled a delightful effort narrowly wide following a break by Rashford down the left flank.

In stoppage time Young Boys might have stolen ahead with their first chance of the night as Miralem Sulejmani’s cheeky near-post back-heeled shot flew wide.

Young Boys gained in confidence as the game continued and Kevin Mbabu fired into the side netting as they again went close.

United ought to have taken the lead when keeper Ballmoos failed to claim a high ball, but Fellaini blazed over from nine yards with the goal at his mercy.

The Reds were in need of a lift and mid-half made a double change as Lingard and Fred made way for Lukaku and Pogba, £164 million of talent.

Young Boys were desperately unlucky not to take the lead with 20 minutes  left when a shot from substitute Ulisses Garcia took a wicked deflection and forced an unbelievable save from David De Gea to claw out the ball.

Goalline technology showed the ball was inches from being a goal.

United made their third and final change in the 72nd minute when Valencia was replaced by Mata.

Young Boys sensed an upset as Djibril Sow and Christian Fassnacht both fired narrowly over.

Lukaku headed wide, Mata fired over and Chris Smalling headed over, three lukewarm efforts from the mis-firing Reds.

Young Boys had another great chance on the break when substitute Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu curled a decent goal attempt not far wide.

United’s 91st minute winner was route one and hit and hope as Shaw fired a long ball forward, Lukaku headed it on to Fellaini who produced a neat turn before firing home a low shot from 12 yards.

It brought a huge collective sigh of relief as United had somehow managed to find a way to win a hugely important game. It certainly wasn’t pretty, but the result was all that mattered.

Jose Mourinho accuses players of lacking heart as Manchester United are held at home by Crystal Palace

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MAN UNITED 0, CRYSTAL PALACE 0

Jose Mourinho accused his Manchester United players of “lacking heart” after they were held at home by lowly Crystal Palace.

The goalless draw was further evidence of how far the Reds have slipped since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.

The Reds looked a million miles from a side that will finish in the top four to claim a Champions League place.

And Mourinho admitted it was a “bad result” describing it as a case of two lost points.

Mourinho, who praised Palace saying they deserved their win, was painfully aware of his team’s shortcomings.

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He said: “Crystal Palace deserve praise, but we have to blame ourselves for the result. We started well but couldn’t find a way to score.

“There was not enough intensity, not enough desire and they played the game like it was another game.

“It was not like that as we needed to win. If we play with the same philosophy against Young Boys we will lose and then have to go to Valencia and win.

“It was not just one game, but one of eight before the end of December and one we needed to win.

“My feeling is that there was not enough from the heart. You play with brain but there was not enough heart.”

Mourinho added the remedy is probably to make choice based on heart then blame himself as heart is not enough as quality would be missing.

One third of the way through the campaign, seventh-placed United are already 14 points behind leaders City with 13 games played.

More significant, though, they are already six points shy of Tottenham who are fourth.

Those stats make pretty dismal reading for Jose Mourinho as the chorus of boos at the final whistle was also evidence the patience of fans is wearing thin.

Indeed, had Palace possessed a cutting edge they could well have left Old Trafford with three instead of one point.

Palace had 13 goal attempts to United’s 12 as they went toe to toe with their opponents as they were a threat throughout on the counter attack.

And Palace manager Roy Hodgson admitted on another day, and with lady luck on their side, they might have left Old Trafford as victors.

United made four changes to the team beaten comprehensively by neighbours City just before the international break.

Paul Pogba was back after injury and there were recalls for Romelu Lukaku, Juan Mata and Matteo Darmian.

The players losing out were suspended left-back Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and Marcus Rashford.

Anthony Martial had an early half chance for United and Paul Pogba fired well wide while for Palace Wilfried Zaha bent a shot over the bar in what was a lukewarm opening.

Zaha came closest to breaking the deadlock after 20 minute pulling a drive narrowly wide from 25 yards.

Palace had another great chance to take the lead on the break when Max Meyer and Patrick van Aanholt who dragged his show just wide when he ought to have hit the target.

United had a rare sight at goal when Chris Smalling headed wide from a free kick after keeper Wayne Hennessey missed the flight of the ball.

The Reds gradually eased their way into the game as Jesse Lingard forced a fine stop from Hennessey low to his right and Martial, following up, headed straight at the keeper.

United had an enormous let off just before half time when Cheikhou Kouyate had a goal ruled out as he strayed just offside before heading home a Luka Milivojevic free kick.

The Reds had a second goal ruled out for offside, this time Lukaku before he slotted home a shot from three yards after Hennessey palmed away an effort from Ashley Young.

United, in need of a breakthrough, made a double switch on the hour as Lingard and Mata were replaced by Fellaini and Rashford.

Palace remained a threat as Kouyate forced a decent save from David De Gea and van Aanholt, following up, shot straight at the keeper.

United made their third and final change with 22 minutes left when Pogba made way for Alexis Sanchez.

Palace ought to have taken a 74th minute lead when Andros Townsend burst clear after a barnstorming run only to pull his shot wide with only De Gea to beat.

United went close when Lukaku’s header from Darmian’s cross was superbly kept out by Hennessy who flung himself full length low to his left.

Rashford had a shot in the last minute that deflected just wide for a corner.

But in stoppage time Palace might have snatched victory when Kouyate broke forward and shot over as they finished the game on a high.

Manchester United 0, Crystal Palace 0 – Player Ratings

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MANCHESTER UNITED 0, CRYSTAL PALACE 0

It was goalless at Old Trafford after Manchester United drew a blank at home against Crystal Palace and slipped further away from league leaders Man City.

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The gap is now 14 points – and the Reds were six points from Spurs in 4th before their game against Chelsea.

And Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace side didn’t just come for a point either as they played a full part in the game and could have scored themselves against a United side who looked like they hadn’t fully recovered from the pummelling they received at the Etihad before the international break.

United boss Jose Mourinho made four changes from that side, with Matteo Darmian, Juan Mata, Paul Pogba, and Romelu Lukaku coming in for Luke Shaw (who was suspended), Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini, and Marcus Rashford.

Mata was making his 200th appearance in all competitions for United but it was a former United player who got Old Trafford going early on.

Wilfried Zaha sent two early chances wide as United were slow to get into the game.

Zaha also set up team mate Patrick van Aanholt for a chance which he also put wide. 

Jesse Lingard was fouled twice just as he broke free of the Palace defence.

There were chances for Lingard and Anthony Martial – both efforts were saved by Wayne Hennessey in the Crystal Palace goal.

Two disallowed goals either side of the break shaped the game, with Luka Milivojevic’s free kick headed in by Cheikhou Kouyate only to be disallowed for offside while Ashley Young’s shot was seen late by Hennessey who could only palm it out as far as Lukaku but the Belgian was definitely offside when he tapped the loose ball in.

Palace were in the ascendancy as the game limped into the second half, with Zaha and Andros Townsend stretching the Reds but it was United who ended the game on the front foot.

Anthony Martial shot wide late while Lukaku’s header was palmed away by Hennessey who was off his line to clear a United ball in.

And boos were clearly audible at the end as United, with a point, climbed up to seventh place in the Premier League table.

PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 0, Crystal Palace 0

David De Gea: 7. A couple of saves from Cheikhou Kouyate and Patrick van Aanholt to keep United in the game.

Matteo Darmian: 7. A rare run-out for the Italian full back. Solid and put some good crosses in too.

Chris Smalling: 7. Contrived to miss an easy header from range Juan Mata’s free kick but otherwise solid.

Victor Lindelof: 6. Saved by the offside flag or he was in danger of scoring an own goal in the first half. Went down injured at the end.

Ashley Young: 6.  Decent range of passes and his shot in the second half was palmed out for a tap-in by an offside Romelu Lukaku.

Nemanja Matic: 6. Shielding the back four but did little going forward.

Paul Pogba: 6. Little impact on the game before coming off.

Jesse Lingard: 7. Fouled twice trying to break free for a run on goal. Lively and could have scored or set up a goal in the first half.

Juan Mata: 6. Good free kicks but little service.

Anthony Martial: 6. Initially dangerous but fell off towards the end of the first half. 

Romelu Lukaku: 6. Little movement, poor first touch, easily marked out by Sakho but almost managed to head a winner for United with 6 minute to go.

Marouane Fellaini (on for Jesse Lingard 60): 6. Hair cut doesn’t seem to have added elegance to his game. An agricultural challenge on Luka Milivojevic soon after coming on wasn’t punished with a card.

Marcus Rashford (on for Juan Mata 60): 6. Missed a sitter at the end.

Alexis Sanchez (on for Paul Pogba 68): 6. Added some energy.

MATCH STATS – Manchester United 0, Crystal Palace 0

Man Utd: De Gea, Darmian, Smalling, Lindelof, Young, Matic, Pogba (Sanchez 68), Lingard (Fellaini 60), Mata (Rashford 60), Martial, Lukaku

Man Utd Subs not used: Grant, Jones, Sanchez, Fred, Valencia

Booked: Young 71

Crystal Palace: Hennessey, Wan-Bissaka, Tomkins, Sakho, Van Aanholt, McArthur, Milivojevic, Kouyate, Meyer, Townsend (Schlupp 88), Zaha (J Ayew 90)

Crystal Palace Subs not used: Guaita, Ward, Sorloth, Kelly, Puncheon

Booking: Milivojevic 8, Sakho 27

Attendance: 74,516