Manchester Untied travelled to Bournemouth tonight as they tried to seal their hold on second-place, and definitively secure Champions League football for next season.
With a trip to Wembley on the cards this weekend for an FA Cup semi-final with Tottenham, Jose Mourinho adopted for a few changes to his starting XI.
Sunday's defeat to West Bromwich Albion no doubt played a part in this decision also.
One decision that had United fans talking was the placing of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial in United's front three.
With Lukaku being saved for that cup tie, Jesse Lingard was the other man in that attacking trio. Although there was no immediate breakthrough, United fans commended the intention of the Portuguese, if nothing else.
Rashford and Martial often immediately make United look more dynamic and threatening. It’s telling how rarely they are trusted to start games.
— Over Under Initiative (@OverUnderPlay) April 18, 2018
Martial, Rashford, Lingard & Pogba would be my 1st choice front 4
— Liam (@LB0188) April 18, 2018
And FINALLY!!! Martial, Rashford, and JLingz get a start all together. Set the young guns free, Jose! Come on United!! 😝😈
— Sawyer Watterson (@soyh2oson) April 18, 2018
Thy link up between Lingard, Rashford and Martial! 😍
— Shravan (@_shrvn) April 18, 2018
Watching Rashford and Martial attack is lovely
— Brave. (@ERVASTBRAVE) April 18, 2018
I forgive starting Darmian and Fellaini because of Captain De Gea and Rashford, Martial combo https://t.co/qCkfOQJO70
— fuck tories (@fxckBrexit) April 18, 2018
That being said, even with the desired personnel in place, many were left dispirited with the nature of how it panned out.
The great frustration watching United this season is just how slow they are on the attack - no matter how quick the likes of Martial and Rashford are
— James Robson (@jamesalanrobson) April 18, 2018
Martial is not doing with rashford what he does with lukaku. I don't understand where dis stingy play is coming from
— Zeme (@sleekygurl) April 18, 2018
The sad thing is Mourinho isn’t the right manager for our best talents. Martial, Rashford and Pogba should be tearing it up week in week out. They’d be different players under Pep and plenty of other managers. No one would be surprised if Shaw is a success elsewhere either.
— 20 TIMES (@Baginz10) April 18, 2018
Cross from Shaw where are our front 3 (Rashford, Martial & Lingard)? None in the box. If Rashford and Martial want to be the United striker they need to get in behind and get in the box. #mufc https://t.co/ChFPEYLS9h
— Thomas Shanahan (Dr.) (@clifford0584) April 18, 2018
United have some quick players like Martial, Rashford, Lingard etc yet their attacking play is so slow and laboured. No speed in attack
— G-Mac (@GreggMac11) April 18, 2018
Some smart play on the edge of the Bournemouth box would give United a 1-0 lead; Ander Herrera, Jesse Lingard and Chris Smalling working together well.
