Burnley 0-1 Manchester United

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Anthony Martial, Blog, Burnley, Football, Manchester United, News, Premier League, Soccer

20 January 2018

Anthony Martial gave Man United the victory over Burley at Turf Moor with a well-taken goal but remain 12 points behind leaders Man City.

United only had two efforts on target all game. Paul Pogba had an effort early on which he flicked over. Jeff Hendricks had a shot for Burnley which went wide.

Ashley Young, who was returning from suspension, came very close to scoring, as he fired narrowly wide from an angle. At the end of the half, Martial came close with an effort from the edge of the box.

In the 54th minute, Martial scored the only goal of the game to give United the lead. Romelu Lukaku won the loose ball before sweeping it across to Martial, who finished off the underside of the bar.

A couple of minutes after the goal Burnley nearly equalised through a Johann Berg Gudmundsson free-kick which hit the bar.

Jesse Lingard had an effort blocked as United tried to put the game to bed. But in the end the one goal was enough. It wasn’t exciting, but it was effective.

United remain in second place, 12 points off leaders Man City and two points clear of third-placed Chelsea. The only real hope for United’s winning the league is that 20 years ago, United under Sir Alex Ferguson were 12 points off Newcastle after 23 games and still ended up winning the league.

With Alexis Sanchez on his way in things are looking positive for United, but the only real question is who would he replace in the team. It will probably be between Lingard and Juan Mata.

Next up for United is a trip to Yeovil in the FA Cup next Friday, the 26 January. Next up in the league is a trip to Spurs on Wednesday, the 31 January. Hopefully we can continue our winning form.

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Manchester United 3-0 Stoke City

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Anthony Martial, Antonio Valencia, Blog, Football, Manchester United, News, Old Trafford, Premier League, Romelu Lukaku, Soccer, Stoke City

15 December 2018

Paul Pogba was exceptional as Man United comfortably beat Stoke City, who had new boss Paul Lambert watching in the stands.

It was mostly comfortable for United, but Stoke did threaten a few times. United could’ve had a penalty early on when Anthony Martial fell in the penalty area but, the referee didn’t give it.

In the 9th minute, Antonio Valencia gave United the lead with a wonderful strike. After picking up the ball from Pogba, he cut inside onto his left foot, before curling the ball into the top left corner.

Cher dan Shaqiri tried a fantastic overhead kick which David de Gea comfortably saved. Stephen Ireland, who was starting his first game since April 2015, had two similar chances to score, but he fired both wide. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting had a close range effort blocked by Phil Jones.

But, in the 38th minute, Anthony Martial doubled United’s lead with another brilliant goal. From another Pogba assist, as he found Martial with a neat pass, Martial curled a superb finish past Jack Butland from 20 yards.

Just before half-time Shaqiri had a really good chance to half the deficit but, de Gea got down to push away his low effort after finding space for a shot.

Juan Mata came close to extending the lead during the second half, as he fired narrowly wide after being set up by Jesse Lingard.

In the 72nd minute, Romelu Lukaku added a third. Lukaku had worked really hard during the game and his hold up play had been excellent, so he deserved a goal. He managed to make some space past two Stoke defenders in the box, before firing low and hard past Butland.

Butland had to prevent substitute Marcus Rashford from adding a third, before de Gea had to deny Mame Biram Diouf, who fired the rebound wide, to preserve his clean sheet.

As it looks like Alexis Sanchez could be heading to United, things are looking positive. Where Sanchez would fit in is a big question. All the attacking players worked well together in this game, so it would be interesting to see which player Sanchez would replace.

United remain in second place, but the gap to City has been cut to 12 points after they lost their unbeaten league record against Liverpool. Stoke remain in the relegation zone, a point adrift of fourth-bottom Southampton.

Next up for United is a tough away trip to Burnley next Saturday, the 20 January. Hopefully we can continue our winning form.

Manchester United 4-1 Newcastle

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Anthony Martial, Blog, Chris Smalling, Football, Manchester United, Newcastle, News, Old Trafford, Paul Pogba, Premier League, Romelu Lukaku, Soccer

Paul Pogba scored on his return from injury as United came from behind to beat Newcastle to set a club record of 38 games unbeaten at Old Trafford.

United started brightly, with Romelu Lukaku coming close to scoring, firing over after being picked out by Antonio Valencia. He’d been on a goal drought before this game, and was desperate to break it.

But, in the 14th minute, Dwight Gayle put Newcastle in front. After being picked out by DeAndre Yedlin with a low cross, Gayle slotted into the bottom corner. A Victor Lindelof slip had allowed the ball to reach him.

Newcastle could’ve doubled their lead soon after that but, Jacob Murphy fired narrowly wide after being found by a brilliant pass from Jonjo Shelvey.

In the 37th minute, Anthony Martial scored to draw United level. After Pogba had beaten Isaac Hayden and stood up a cross at the back post, Martial rose highest to plant a header into the bottom corner.

United should’ve had a penalty soon after that with Ciaran Clark pulling Lukaku’s shirt but the referee didn’t give it. United did take the lead in stoppage time at the end of the first half through Chris Smalling. Ashley Young crossed it to the back post, allowing Smalling to head past Newcastle goalkeeper Rob Elliott.

Newcastle should’ve been level moments after Smalling’s goal. Isaac Hayden tip-toed through the United defence, before firing straight at David de Gea. He should’ve scored.

In the 53rd minute, United double the lead through a well-worked goal finished off by Pogba. After Lukaku had crossed the mall in to Marcus Rashford, he played it back across goal, allowing Pogba to tap the ball into an empty net.

Newcastle came close to getting a goal back, with Murphy forcing De Gea into a save from distance. Newcastle were still pushing to get back into the game.

In the 70th minute, Lukaku got his goal. After forcing his way through the Newcastle defence, he smashed the ball into the roof of the net. It was his first league goal since 30 September.

In the 77th minute, Zlatan Ibrahimovic came on as a substitute after seven months out with a cruciate knee ligament injury. After coming on he came close to scoring, with an acrobatic effort which Rob Elliott saved.

In the end this was a comfortable victory for United. There was a swagger about the way that United played, especially with Pogba back from injury.

They lost their record as the only side in Europe’s five major leagues not to have conceded a top-flight goal at home, but they showed they are back to their ruthless best in front of goal.

United remain in second, eight points off leaders Man City. Newcastle are 11th after a run of three defeats in a row.

Next up for United is a trip to Basel in the Champions League next Wednesday, the 22 November, where a draw would comfirm qualification for the knock-out stages. Next up in the league are Brighton at home. Hopefully they can carry on the winning form.

Manchester United 1-0 Tottenham

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Anthony Martial, Blog, Football, Manchester United, News, Old Trafford, Premier League, Soccer, Tottenham

A late goal from substitute Anthony Martial gave Man United an important victory over Tottenham.

There wasnt many clear chances for either side, as both teams restricted the opposition to mostly long-range shots. Marcus Rashford had a free-kick which Hugo Lloris had to push away.

Spurs had quite a few shots in the first half, but nearly all of them were from long-range. Serge Aurier, Moussa Sissoko, and Toby Alderweireld all had long shots which didn’t trouble David de Gea in goal. Eric Dier had an effort from close-range from a corner, but he didn’t connect cleanly with it and De Gea was able to hold onto it.

In the second half, Henrick Mkhitaryan had an effort from just inside the box, which Lloris fumbled, but Spurs managed to clear it away.

United were starting to get some chances and putting some pressure on Spurs. From a corner, the ball was headed away, before Antonio Valencia ran onto the ball and fired narrowly over the bar.

In the 70th minute, Martial came on for Rashford. The substitution wasn’t well received by the supporters but, in the end the substitution won the game for United.

Romelu Lukaku, who had endured a frustrating game, had an effort, which Lloris pushed away, but it was going wide already. Throughout the game Lukaku had been calling on his team-mates to provide better and quicker service to him.

A few minutes before the goal, Dele Alli should’ve scored for Spurs. Christian Eriksen played the bell over the top to him, but Alli poked the ball wide from point-blank range.

Lukaku’s game became even more frustrating when he hit the post from a Jesse Lingard cross. But, a couple of minutes after that, his persistence paid off.

In the 81st minute, United took the lead through Martial. From a goal-kick, Lukaku headed the ball on, which allowed Martial to run through and slot the ball past Lloris.

Right at the end, with no Spurs defenders back, the ball was cleared from a set-piece to Lingard, who ran through, but with pressure put on him from a defender, he put it over the bar.

Spurs were without their talisman Harry Kane in this game, and it seemed as though they struggled without him, as they created very few chances, with the main chance being when Alli poked wide when the game was still goalless.

Ashley Young was a key figure for United in this game, as he seems to have been rejuvenated this season. He defended tirelessly and occasionally delivered the sort of dangerous crosses that were his trademark as a winger.

Next up for United is against Benfica in Old Trafford in the Champions League next Tuesday, the 31 October. Next up in the league is a trip to Chelsea next Sunday, the 5 November. Hopefully they can continute the winning form.

Manchester United 4-1 Burton Albion

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Anthony Martial, Blog, Burton Albion, EFL Cup, Football, Jesse Lingard, Manchester United, Marcus Rashford, News, Old Trafford, Soccer

Man United eased past Burton Albion in the EFL Cup to set up a last-16 tie at Swansea.

The victory was never in doubt, as first-half goals from Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard and a second-half goal from Anthony Martial put United in a commanding lead. But, with the last kick of the game, substitute Joel Pereira dropped the ball, allowing Lloyd Dyer to score.

United opened the scoring inside five minutes through Rashford. Michael Carrick played the ball into Lingard, who flicked it on, and Rashford fired home. A minute later, United nearly scored another. Ander Herrera played the ball through to Lingard, whose shot was blocked.

United doubled the lead in the 17th minute through another goal from Rashford. After picking up the ball from Daley Blind, Rashford took one touch before firing emphatically in off the post.

United continued to threaten, with Juan Mata and Martial coming close. In the 26th minute, Joe Mason had a great chance to score. After a mistake by Victor Lindelof, Luke Varney played Mason in, but his poor effort was saved by Sergio Romero.

Soon after that, Mata came close again, hitting the post. From the follow-up Matteo Darmian crossed in and Martial’s acrobatic effort was blocked.

In the 36th minute, United scored another through Lingard’s deflected effort. Martial’s piece of skill gave the ball to Lingard, whose shot was deflected in off a Burton player.

In the second half, United continued to dominate, with Martial dribbling through, before having his shot saved. But, a couple of minutes later, in the 60th minute, Martial did add a fourth. It was an assist from Rashford, who played Martial in and Martial finished coolly.

Martial came close again, just dragging a shot wide from close range. He also came close from a free-kick, narrowly missing with a good effort.

The only thing which Mourinho will be unimpressed with is that with the last kick of the game, Pereira dropped the ball, which led to Dyer scoring a consolation.

United have very good strength in depth this season. Keeper Sergio Romero made his first start since the Europa League final, while club captain Michael Carrick was making his first appearance of the season.

Even though there were nine changes from the 4-0 victory over Everton last Sunday, the team was still very strong. Rashford and Mata were the only players to keep their places from that game. Rashford and Martial are fighting it out with each other for a place in the starting eleven.

Next up for United in the EFL Cup is a trip to Swansea in the fourth-round on the 24 October. Next up in all competitions they are away at Southampton next Saturday, the 23 September. Hopefully they can keep the winning form going.

Rashford and Juan Mata were the only two players who started the 4-0 win over Everton last Sunday to make the team, but there was still no starting place for Luke Shaw.

Since returning from injury in last season’s Community Shield, the former Southampton defender has started just 17 of 72 games.

Shaw came on at the start of the second half by which time United were 3-0 ahead.

Manchester United 4-0 Everton

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Anthony Martial, Antonio Valencia, Blog, Everton, Football, Henrick Mkhitaryan, Manchester United, News, Old Trafford, Premier League, Romelu Lukaku, Soccer

Romelu Lukaku scored against his former club, as Man United scored three late goals to seal a comfortably victory over Everton.

United started very strongly and they opened the scoring in the fourth minute through and absolute belter by Antonio Valencia. Nemanja Matic switched the ball from left to right and Valencia came in and smashed the ball first time into the top corner from 25 yards.

That early lead was was rarely threatened by an Everton team who have dropped into the bottom three. But, until the last 10 minutes, they were in the game and could’ve nicked something from the game.

Wayne Rooney, who was playing against the club where he is the top goalscorer of all-time, had Everton’s two best opportunities. One of them was in the first half, which he missed, and the other in the second half, was saved by De Gea.

United had a few half-chances during the first half, but couldn’t break down Everton. Lukaku should’ve scored. Jordan Pickford messed up a clearance, before Marcus Rashford played the ball to Lukaku, and Lukaku put it wide with only the keeper to beat.

United dominated most of the second half, but Gylfi Sigurdsson did have a close-range shot saved by the keeper. With just over an hour played, Juan Mata fired a free-kick which hit the post.

With United continuing to apply the pressure, Jesse Lingard fired over from inside the box after being set-up by Ashley Young. Matic also had a low effort from long-range which went narrowly wide.

In the 82nd minute, Rooney was substituted to a standing ovation from both team’s supporters. He also had a hand shake from Jose Mourinho. It was a standing ovation which he fully deserved. It was a frustrating afternoon for the man who scored 253 goals in 13 years at the club.

United finally doubled their lead a minute after Rooney went off, through Henrick Mkhitaryan. After a mistake from Ashley Williams, Lukaku played in Mkhitaryan, who slotted past Pickford.

In the 89th minute, Lukaku scored. Just before the goal, Lukaku was getting booed by the Everton fans before taking a free-kick but, after the free-kick was blocked, the ball came back into the box and Lingard flicked the ball on, and Lukaku stuck it in the net. He celebrated through cupping his ear to the away fans.

Lukaku has now scored five goals in five league games. Anthony Martial finished off the scoring with a penalty in the second minute of stoppage time. Morgan Schneiderlin handled the ball and Martial coolly slotted home.

Everton have endured a shocking start to the season, with four points from five games. Rooney has scored their only goals of the season, with two. It is now 325 minutes since they scored in the league.

United and Man City have had an identical start to the season – wins, points, goals scored, and goals conceded. City are only top because of alphabetical order.

Next up for United they are at home to Burton Albion in the EFL Cup. Next up in the league is a trip to Southampton next Saturday, the 23 September.

Swansea City 0-4 Manchester United

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Anthony Martial, Blog, Eric Bailly, Football, Manchester United, News, Paul Pogba, Premier League, Romelu Lukaku, Soccer, Swansea

Romelu Lukaku scored again as Man United won 4-0 once again, with three goals in four second-half minutes, which finished Swansea off.

Right at the beginning of the game, Swansea nearly scored with Jordan Ayew, who hit the bar. But then, United counter-attacked, with Lukaku missing a chance.

Shortly after, Phil Jones came very close to scoring, hitting the bar with a header from close range. United were struggling to break down a resilient Swansea side.

There was some controversy surrounding Paul Pogba in the first half. He got a yellow card for a strong challenge on Tom Carroll and then fouled Martin Olsson shortly after but the ref gave Pogba the benefit of the doubt.

Just before half time, United took the lead through Eric Bailly. From a corner, Paul Pogba had a header brilliantly saved by Fabianski onto the bar but, Bailly was the first to react to the rebound to poke home.

Throughout the second half, United struggled to break down their opponents but, didn’t look at all like conceding. They had 66% possession but struggled to kill the game off.

Only in those four minutes towards the end of the game did they break them down and kill the game off. The first came from Lukaku in the 80th minute. From Henrick Mkhitaryan’s pass, Lukaku slotted past Fabianski to double the lead.

Two minutes later, Pogba lifted the ball over Fabianski for a third. To cap it all off, in the the 84th minute, substitute Anthony Martial calmly slotted in after a swift counter-attack.

This was Swansea’s first game since selling playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson and they struggled without him. He, alongside Fernando Llorente, who is injured at the moment, carried Swansea last year, so it looks like they will be in another relegation battle this year.

United completely controllled this game and deserved to win. With the signing of Matic, Pogba is free to roam and he looks like he could have a very good season.

Jose Mourinho has never failed to win the league title in his second season at a club. United are looking like could put on a much better challenge for the title than last year. Both the Manchester clubs are looking like the strongest teams, after heavy spending in the summer.

Next up for United we are at home to Leicester next Saturday, the 26 August. Hopefully we can continue the perfect record with another win.

Manchester United 4-0 West Ham

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Anthony Martial, Blog, Football, Manchester United, News, Old Trafford, Paul Pogba, Premier League, Romelu Lukaku, Soccer, West Ham

Man United started the Premier League season emphatically against West Ham, with Romelu Lukaku scoring two.

United started strongly and looked a constant threat. They had an extra pace in their play which they lacked last season. They had a couple of half-chances and Lukaku was a constant threat.

The breakthrough came in the 33th minute through Lukaku. Nemanja Matic, who was also making his Premier League debut for United, made an interception in the middle of the pitch, which fell to Marcus Rashford. Rashford ran at the West Ham defence, before playing Lukaku through, who scored off the post.

West Ham were poor throughout the game and offered little threat to United. But, in the first half they came close, with Edimilson Fernandes forcing David de Gea into a save from the edge of the box.

Lukaku doubled his tally and United’s lead in the 52nd minute with a glancing header from a Henrick Mkhitaryan free-kick. It was almost inevitable that Lukaku would score against the Hammers, as he has scored 9 in 10 games
whilst playing for Everton.

He could’ve had a hat-trick, only for Pablo Zabaleta to slide in to block his effort. West Ham came close in the second half, but new signing Marko Arnautovic’s header hit the bar. They offered little going forward.

Rashford, who played very well, came very close to scoring. He curled an excellent shot against the inside of the right-hand post, but it didn’t go in. The victory was sealed in the 87th minute through substitute Anthony Martial, who slotted home after being played through by Henrick Mkhitaryan.

Paul Pogba added some gloss with a low finish from distance in the 90th minute. It was a very encouraging performance from United to start the new season.

United spent £150million in the summer on Lukaku, Matic and Victor Lindelof in a bid to sustain a stronger title challenge than last season. Lindelof didn’t make the team for this game but, Matic and Lukaku very much impressed.

This new team was outclassed in the Super Cup final against Real Madrid but in this game they looked menacing. Lukaku scored in that game and in this game he looked like he could be a revelation this season.

He was fantastic in this game and will be looking to add goals to a team which has lacked goals in the past few seasons. Another striker making their debut for their team in this game was Chicharito, who was stupidly sold by Louis Van Gaal. He didn’t make as much of an impact as Lukaku but he could be a good signing for West Ham. He was given a warm welcome from the United fans.

United have now lost only one of their 14 opening-day Premier League fixtures at Old Trafford. The fans will be demanding a better performance than last season, when although they won the League Cup and Europa League, they came sixth in the league. There is plenty of encouragement for them.

Next up they are at Swansea on Saturday, the 19 August at lunch time.

Burnley 0-2 Manchester United

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Anthony Martial, Blog, Burnley, Football, Manchester United, News, Premier League, Soccer, Wayne Rooney

Man United kept up their chase for the top four in the Premier League with a comfortable win over Burnley.

United started brightly, and nearly went in front in the the first ten minutes but, Wayne Rooney’s shot from very close range was saved by Tom Heaton. Also, with more than ten minutes played, Marouane Fellaini had a header well saved in the bottom corner by Heaton.

Michael Keane had a decent chance for Burnley, but he headed wide from a good position. Straight after that, United went the other side of the pitch and scored. Wayne Rooney sent Anthony Martial on his way, who played it to Ander Herrera, and after Herrera laid it off, Martial swept it home past Heaton to put United in front.

It was Martial’s 25th goal for United, which means that they have to pay an extra £8.5m to his former club, Monaco because of a clause in his contract. He hasn’t had as good a season as last year, but he showed glimpses of last year in this game.

In the 39th minute, United doubled their lead through Rooney. Paul Pogba played in Martial, who had a shot well blocked by Heaton, but it came through to Rooney, who scuffed home the second of the match. It was his first goal since January, when he had become United’s all-time top scorer, but he has had to wait three months for number 251.

Burnley’s home form has been very good this season, with 32 points out of their 36 points won at home. But, in this game they struggled to cope with United, and their only real chance was at the end of the first half, when Andre Gray had a shot well blocked by Eric Bailly inside the box. From the resulting corner, Gray tried an acrobatic effort, but ended up missing the ball.

The second was comfortable for United, with hardly any chances for either teams, but United never looked in danger of conceding. The only time Burnley looked threatening was in the last 10 minutes when Keane headed across goal from a free-kick and substitute Daniel Agyei placed his right-footed snap-shot past the post.

Because of the season-ending injuries to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo, Mourinho was forced to shuffle his team around once again. He has to start Daley Blind at centre-back, partnering Bailly but, Blind looked assured and composed throughout the game.

He also had brought in Rooney and Martial for Ibrahimovic and Marcus Rashford. Mourinho must’ve had one eye on the Manchester derby on Thursday and the fact that Rashford has played a lot recently, so must be a bit jaded. Rooney completed a full 90 minutes for the first time since September and enjoyed a productive partnership with Martial.

United remain in fifth place, one point off Man City on Thursday, with the game on Thursday looking huge for either team’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s Champions League. Burnley are now sitting in 16th place, five points above the relegation zone. They have only won once in 11 matches and have not one away all season.

Next up for United is the Manchester derby on Thursday, the 27 April. Hopefully they can get the win to move into the top four.

Manchester United 2-0 Watford

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Anthony Martial, Blog, Football, Juan Mata, Manchester United, News, Old Trafford, Premier League, Soccer, Watford

United put more pressure on the top four with a comfortable win at home to Watford.

United dominated throughout and had a lot of chances. Heurelho Gomes made quite a few saves to deny United. Watford started brightly, pushing forward, but without Gomes, United would’ve been out of sight. He made a good save to parry Paul Pogba’s first-time shot. He also kept out Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s close-range header, which Ibrahimovic would’ve wondered how he didn’t score.

Watford nearly scored when Jose Holebas’ thunderous strike fell narrowly wide of the goal. They did take the lead, when Anthony Martial set up Juan Mata to finish from close range. Mata had been involved in the build-up and finished it off. United had a couple more efforts on goal before half time, but they weren’t clear-cut.

In the second half, Watford nearly levelled the game. Mauro Zarate’s cross was heading for the top corner, but David de Gea pulled out a fantastic save to deny him. United doubled their lead in the 60th minute. He was starting his first league game since 15 January and he sealed the victory when he drove through the Watford defence, before finishing past Gomes. 

Martial was in inspiring form in this game to press his claim to start continuously. He did everything to show he deserves to start in the EFL Cup final on 26 February. Jose Mourinho won’t have an easy decision picking his team for that game. 

United are still sixth in the league, but have extended their unbeaten run to 16 games in the league. They were briefly in fifth after this victory, but Liverpool’s win over Tottenham put them back in fifth.

Next up for United is the first leg of their Europa League last-32 against Saint-Etienne on Thursday, the 16 February. Next up in the league is a home game against Bournemouth on 4 March.