Two Late Goals Deny Boro At Old Trafford

Middlesbrough came within five minutes of a memorable victory away at Manchester United only to be denied by two late goals.

Like against Arsenal and Manchester earlier in the campaign, Boro showed they can be more than a match for the Premier League’s elite and Aitor Karanka’s side moved to the brink of famous victory when Grant Leadbitter gave the visitors a shock lead on 67 minutes.

Yet after a series of near misses, a disallowed goal, and a catalogue of saves from Boro goalkeeper Victor Valdes, United finally made a breakthrough courtesy of Anthony Martial’s finish five minutes from time.

Less than 60 seconds later the hosts scored a dramatic second when Paul Pogba headed home Juan Mata’s cross, flipping the contest on its head.

It meant a sixth straight win for Jose Mourinho’s side and the United boss was full of praise for his former protégée, Karanka, who was the Portuguese’s assistant for three years at Real Madrid.

Karanka had vowed to make changes to his side, in an attempt to stifle his former mentor.

The Spaniard certainly shocked a few with his team selection, as centre back Bernardo Espinosa was drafted in to make his debut while Leadbitter made his first start of the season after a lengthy injury.

Boro rode their luck early on, as Pogba saw an audacious overhead kick rebound off the post before Martial clattered the woodwork minutes later.

United should have taken the lead when Zlatan Ibrahimović stabbed the ball beyond Valdes midway through the first half, however referee Lee Mason wrongly disallowed the goal for a high boot.

Boro defended valiantly and took their chance when Leadbitter broke forward from midfield before slotting home a clever knock-down from Alvaro Negredo.

However, as the visitor’s legs began to tire, United continued to probe and press with increasingly urgency.

In the 85^th minute a penetrating pass from Pogba was headed into Martial’s path by Ibrahimović and the Frenchman made no mistake from close range.

Moments later Pogba became the match winner, as Boro’s hearts were broken.