Manchester United 2 Middlesbrough 1: WATCH HIGHLIGHTS – Paul Pogba’s late header seals with win as United come from behind to beat Boro
Grant Leadbitter's strike had set Middlesbrough on course for an unlikely win before late goals from Anthony Martial and Pogba snatched the points
![](http://mcb777.site/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/sport-preview-manchester-united-vs-middlesbrough.jpg?w=620)
Sponsored by
PAUL POGBA'S late header secured Manchester United's fifth straight league win as they came from behind to beat Middlesbrough at Old Trafford.
Jose Mourinho's men looked to be slipping to their first defeat in nine games after Grant Leadbitter had fired Boro into a shock lead.
But after wasting a series of chances to score, United finally clawed their way back into the game when Anthony Martial lashed home after Zlatan Ibrahimovic's knock-down on 85 minutes.
Keep up to date with ALL the Manchester United and Middlesbrough news, gossip, transfers and goals on our club page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary
And two minutes later Pogba directed a bullet header from Juan Mata's cross into the top corner to seal the victory that sends United level on points with fifth-placed Tottenham.
Grant Leadbitter fires into the bottom corner to put Middlesbrough ahead at Manchester United
FACTS, STATS, GOALS AND LOLS
- It was a dreadful decision by referee Lee Mason to rule out Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s goal just before the break. Ibra there first and turned it in with clever flick, if anything Victor Valdes fouled him.
- That decision denied him the chance to equal Lionel Messi’s record 51 goals for the calendar year of 2016.
- It really is time that refs were made to answer a couple of questions to TV after games to explain decisions.
- Both sides made five changes yesterday which was understandable with them facing games on Monday.
- It was still a surprise, however, that the centre-back pairing of Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones who had done so well recently were benched.
- Anthony Martial looked intent on impressing with his speed, creativity and one cracking shot from 30 yards that came back off the post.
- But there was no quicker man on the pitch than Middlesbrough’s Adam Traore. There is not always an end product but there can’t be a faster player in the Premier League.
- Watching yesterday you can understand how Boro have enjoyed away draws at Arsenal Manchester City and Champions Leicester City with the way they sit back and try to stifle teams.
- There was a couple of old faces back at Old Trafford yesterday with Fabio on the Boro bench and his brother Rafael, now at Lyon, watching from the directors box.
- Mourinho had said in his programme notes that because he and Boro boss Aitor Karanka were close friends that the fourth official would have an easy afternoon. Not so as he berated Neil Swarbrick over Mason’s decisions on a number of occasions.
- Grant Leadbitter’s 67th minute goal was well worked but a real kick in the teeth after the chances and possession United had.
The Big Picture
Upcoming Fixtures
MAN UTD
Jan 2: West Ham (a) Premier League
Jan 7: Reading (h) FA Cup
Jan 10: Hull (h) EFL Cup
Jan 15: Liverpool (h) Premier League
Jan 21: Stoke (a) Premier League
MIDDLESBROUGH
Jan 2: Leicester (h) Premier League
Jan 8: Sheff Wed (h) FA Cup
Jan 14: Watford (a) Premier League
Jan 21: West Ham (h) Premier League
Jan 31 West Brom (h) Premier League