PL 2016: Pogba’s dramatic late winner announces “Jose Time” at Old Trafford

Pogba
Manchester United ended 2016 in dramatic fashion as the Reds come from a goal behind to snatch a late 2-1 win over a stubborn Middlesbrough. Image Source: Manchester United

Internet Desk: The United fans and birthday boy Sir Alex Ferguson must be relieved as Jose Mourinho has probably given their best gift of the year on its last day to revive the glory days back at the Theatre of Dreams. Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba struck in the closing minutes to hand Manchester United a deserved three points against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford.

United dominated the 90 minutes, raining 32 efforts down on the Boro goal but were denied twice by the post, once by a contentious refereeing decision and on multiple occasions by their former goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

When Grant Leadbitter lashed home his first Premier League goal in almost eight years it looked as though a scarcely believable upset was on the cards but Martial and Pogba found the net in quick succession during a frantic last five minutes to seal a 2-1 triumph.

That left United boasting a six-game winning streak heading into 2017, a stark contrast to the eight games without victory that Louis van Gaal brought up in the club’s final fixture last year.

While the Red Devils certainly did things the hard way, they were fine value for the points with both goal scorers hitting the woodwork previously and Zlatan Ibrahimovic unfortunate to see his kung-fu style finish ruled out for high feet.

It was, though, hard on Valdes – a pariah of the Van Gaal era but excellent under severe pressure for 85 minutes on Saturday.

United can count themselves unlucky not to have taken a first-half lead. Even in the second half, Rashford went down in the 79th minute under pressure from debutant defender Espinosa Bernardo, with Lee Mason’s ‘no penalty’ decision drawing laughter from Mourinho.

United now are unbeaten for twelve consecutive games in all competitions, the most since Sir Alex retired.