Anthony Martial breaks Man Utd curse by scoring first Premier League hat-trick in seven years then FORGETS match ball
ANTHONY MARTIAL broke a long-running Manchester United curse by scoring the club's first Premier League hat-trick in seven years - before forgetting the match ball.
The French striker, 24, scored three times to lead his side to a crucial 3-0 win over Sheffield United.
The three points ensured Man Utd solidified their spot in fifth in the table against their European-chasing rivals.
It also pushed United to within two points of fourth-place Chelsea, with the Blues having a game in hand.
But in scoring a hat-trick on Wednesday, Martial also broke a seven-year curse which had plagued Old Trafford No9s.
Incredibly, it was the first Man Utd trio in the Premier League since Robin van Persie's against Aston Villa in 2013.
In those seven years and 63 days, United have played a ridiculous 263 games without any other player scoring a hat-trick.
MAN UTD NEWS LIVE: Follow for the latest United news
In the seven years BEFORE RVP's treble, Man Utd stars combined for 14 hat-tricks under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Arguably more bonkers still, it was Martial's FIRST-EVER hat-trick, having played 284 times in his club career.
It was such a novelty, in fact, the France ace forgot to collect the match ball at full-time.
He was eventually reminded and celebrated by giving it a quick kiss...
Martial got the ball rolling early at Old Trafford against the Blades, scoring the opener on seven minutes.
In an exciting front-three reminiscent of the outstanding 2007-08 attack, Marcus Rashford fired the ball across the six yard box and Martial’s outstretched leg turned the ball in.
Martial returned the favour for Rashford just five minutes later which should have seen him open his post lockdown account only to scuff a shot wide of an open goal.
His second came in not dissimilar circumstances - this time Aaron Wan-Bissaka supplying the driven ball into the box for him to turn in first time.
The ex-Monaco man's hat-trick came on 74 minutes at the end of a superb slick move chipping the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net.