OLD TRAFFORD — The images of 40,000 Manchester United supporters decorated the Old Trafford stands on Wednesday night as Anthony Martial offered their real-world equivalents the chance to dream of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s vision eventually turning into reality.
The French striker claimed the first league hat-trick scored by a United player since Sir Alex Ferguson retired – a run dating back to Robin van Persie in April 2013.
United will face far better teams than Chris Wilder’s under-manned visitors but, on his first start since the end of September, Paul Pogba added to the good mood of his manager by showing what an influential force he can be in his manager’s plans.
Martial scored twice in the first half, taking his tally for the season to a personal best 18, but behind him it was the display of the French World Cup winner that offered just as much encouragement.
His pairing with Bruno Fernandes, the January signing who did so much to kickstart his team’s campaign going into lockdown, showed particular promise.
And even allowing for the atypical surroundings – which featured an impressive mosaic made up of photos sent in by supporters from 193 countries around the world – Pogba and Fernandes, plus Martial as a cutting edge, looked a formidable spine.
It took United just six minutes to open the scoring although the greater surprise, given their opponents lacklustre start to the “new” season, was that they did not add to Martial’s two goals during a dominant first half.
The French striker produced an instinctive finish after Oliver Norwood and Phil Jagielka hesitated in dealing with Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s throw-in to the Blades’ area.
Marcus Rashford capitalised, carrying the ball to the by-line and crossing for Martial to steal ahead of Chris Basham and steer the ball home from four yards.
It was the start of a purposeful and direct show from United with Pogba linking well with Bruno Fernandes, playing in front of him, and behind Martial, and suggesting that his manager’s enthusiasm about United’s prospects in this “mini-season” was not misplaced.
Soon after the goal, Fernandes almost played in Martial again, only for alert goalkeeper Simon Moore, deputising for on-loan Dean Henderson who was not permitted to play against his parent club, to sprint from his line to smother.
Martial then broke clean through on goal and looked certain to double United’s lead only to opt to try to set up Rashford, whose view of an empty net was obscured by the presence of Jagielka and Jack Robinson who succeeded in clearing.
Fernandes maintained the pressure, with a wicked free-kick that Moore punched behind for a corner, while Pogba’s clever touch played in man of the moment Rashford only for the youngster to mis-time his effort completely.
And, for all his uncomfortable return to action and speculation over whether Henderson is about to replace him in United’s first team, David de Gea could not have dared hope for a more comfortable opening 45 minutes.
The contest appeared as good as over with a second United goal that came from a similar route to his first.
Again, Blades manager Wilder was left furious at the paucity of his team’s defending as Wan-Bissaka was given time and space on the right and was allowed, far too easily, to centre for Martial to convert from eight yards.
With Wilder making two half-time substitutes, Basham offered him brief hope early in the second half with a dangerous cross, aimed for Oil McBurnie, which Wan-Bissaka was required to head behind.
It was false hope. Within minutes, Mason Greenwood’s shot was deflected behind, and just beyond Pogba, via two defenders and Pogba’s skilful run ended with Martial scooping a shot over.
And on 73 minutes, Martial did not waste a second invitation to claim his third.
A slick passing move was started by Pogba and Fernandes, saw Martial play a quick-footed one-two with Rashford, then advance before lifting the ball over the keeper from six yards. It was a fitting end to an evening rich with promise for the United manager.
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from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/2Va2DCT
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