Manchester United moved up to fifth in the Premier League after beating relegation-threatened Middlesbrough 3-1 at the Riverside Stadium on Sunday.
Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho made seven changes to the side that beat FC Rostov in the Europa League on Thursday, and one man who brought back into the starting line-up, Marouane Fellaini, netted the opener in the North East after half an hour.
Jesse Lingard, another player recalled to the side, made it two with an excellent strike, and although Rudy Gestede gave the home fans hope 13 minutes from time, defender Antonio Valencia secured the points for the visitors in added time.
It was United’s third league win in four games, and sent them into fifth place in the Premier League, the highest they’ve been since September.
And manager Mourinho deserves great credit for sticking to his guns and making seven changes, some of which were bold, in a bid to keep his squad fit and fresh, but to also pick up a vital three points at the Riverside Stadium.
When the teams were announced on Sunday morning, there was much frustration at Mourinho’s team selection, not so much the seven changes, but the exclusion of some of their brightest attacking stars.
The likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Anthony Martial, the latter who didn’t appear on Thursday night against Rostov, were benched by the Portuguese, while there was scepticism about the selections of Fellaini, Lingard, and Ashley Young, all three of whom haven’t always produced their best in recent times.
How wrong some of those United fans were.
It was Young’s terrific deep cross which provided Fellaini with a relatively simple header to give the visitors the lead, while he also did well defensively when called upon, and of course Fellaini got his goal but also used his aerial prowess and strength to help United win the midfield battle.
And Lingard’s goal was of the highest quality, a confident run from the centre circle before unleashing an unstoppable strike past the stranded Victor Valdes to give United a much-needed cushion, especially as they should have been further ahead before he netted.
It not only highlights how deep a squad United actually have got, but also the trust Mourinho places in these so-called ‘squad’ players.
Mkhitaryan has been in fine form in recent weeks but Mourinho obviously felt that he needed a rest, and Lingard deputised to great effect, despite he not having the best of seasons so far.
Ander Herrera was suspended after his red card against Chelsea last week, but Fellaini slotted in well alongside Michael Carrick and, as aforementioned, gives them a great aerial option, as illustrated by the opener.
Mourinho’s selection was met by annoyance by many, yet he once again got it spot on, and now United are very much in position to strike in the race for a top four finish.
Guest post by Marcus Oades