Manchester United rounded off 2016 with a superb come from behind victory against Middlesbrough on New Year’s Eve, with Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba cancelling out Grant Leadbitter’s goal for Boro.
There was controversy early on, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a perfectly legitimate goal ruled out by referee Lee Mason for an apparent high foot on Victor Valdes near the end of the first half, infuriating the Old Trafford crowd.
And United were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal, as Leadbitter was teed up by Alvaro Negredo in the 67th minute, drilling the ball past David de Gea and giving Aitor Karanka’s side an undeserved lead.
But the Reds roared back and on Sir Alex Ferguson’s 75th birthday, conjured up a typical United comeback. Martial equalised with five minutes remaining after being played through on goal by Ibrahimovic and Pogba headed home the winner a minute later, getting on the end of a Juan Mata cross.
United’s 2016 ended in the most dramatic fashion possible, but with a fifth successive Premier League victory in the bag, it provides Jose Mourinho’s side with a great springboard for 2017.
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