600th WIN
Manchester United secured their 600th win in the Premier League era today at the Riverside Stadium. They are the only team to do so as of yet. This comes just over a month after United became the first team to secure 2000 points since the Premier League’s inspection. United are also the only team to average over 2 points per game. The closest teams to United are Arsenal and Chelsea in second and third place respectively.
POST-MATCH ALTERATION
Manchester United and Middlesbrough players were involved in a post-match tunnel alteration on Sunday. The end of the game was marred by clashes between players following an Eric Bailly-Rudy Gestede bust up just before a freekick. Both players were let off without cautions but were warned by referee John Moss. The same clash is said to have flared up tempers off field after the match. Cameras caught Jesse Lingard holding back Ashley Young while Michael Carrick was seen whisking away Eric Bailly.
NOT 6th FOREVER
Manchester United finally ended their honeymoon with the 6th place in the Premier League after finally moving from the position. United have been in the position since their win away at Swansea in early November which equals to a total of 14 weeks! United however were guaranteed to not end the match week in 6th place as Everton’s win put them in 6th place. The win over Middlesbrough however propelled United to 5th place, leapfrogging both Arsenal and Everton. United further has 2 games in hand over 6th place Liverpool.
MILESTONE MAN
United wing-back Antonio Valencia played in his 200th Premier League appearances for both Wigan and United. And what better way to mark the occasion than a goal. Valencia scored the easiest goal of his career as he capitalized on a Victor Valdes slip and tapped the ball in from point blank. It was also Valencia’s first goal for United since 14th January 2014.
IBRA PUSH
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is said to be close to extending his contract at Old Trafford for another season after weeks of will he/won’t he. Reports by Swedish paper Expressen suggests that Ibrahimovic has agreed to take up the option of extending his reign in Manchester. Plus the Swedish journalist who wrote the article is renowned for ‘never being wrong’.
RULED OUT
Paul Pogba will not join up with the French team for the upcoming International matches because of the hamstring injury he picked up in the win over Rostov. French Football Federation confirmed the same on their website. The statement read: Didier Deschamps has called up Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko following the withdrawal of Paul Pogba, with medical tests confirming he will be unavailable for a fortnight. Pogba has been replaced in the France squad by Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford.