Manchester United have kept their unbeaten record alive with a 1-0 victory away from home against Hull City.
Substitute Marcus Rashford scored in the 92nd minute to break the hearts of the home side, tapping in a cross from skipper Wayne Rooney.
The result sees United move to the top of the table ahead of Chelsea on goal difference with Manchester City yet to play.
The United machine continues to build
The Red Devils dominated the match from the outset having the better of possession and creating the better chances throughout the match. Thanks to Rashford the visitors were not made to rue missed chances, with United dominating Hull in the shot count leading 29 to just eight.
The introduction of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Rashford changed the dynamic of the United side during the second half, as the pair provided width as well as making a nuisance of themselves when they looked to cut inside. The performances of the substitutes is sure to give Jose Mourinho plenty of food for thought heading into the Manchester derby in two weeks’ time.
Defensively the back four looked right at home yet again with Eric Bailly and Daley Blind continuing to build their partnership. Blind once again provided much needed composure at the back with Hull striker Abel Hernandez a constant nuisance.
Hull have not lost any supporters
The home side can cannot count themselves unlucky to have not taken a point from the match after a splendid defensive performance. Caretaker manager Mike Phelan set up his side to sit in behind and make it difficult for United to break them down, and his players responded to his demands.
Captain Curtis Davies led from the front defensively, putting together arguably a man of the match display for his side. The 31-year-old through his body at everything making a number of key blocks and making numerous physical challenges. Alongside Jake Livermore, the defensive pairing did a good job in keeping Zlatan Ibrahimović relatively quiet.
The home side’s midfield dug deep and got the ball moving forward at every possible occasion only for it to break down with so many numbers behind the ball.
Marouane Fellaini impresses again
Over the past few seasons the Belgian international has been a cause of frustration for many United fans. Mourinho has elected to deploy the former Everton man in a more defensively minded role this season and there can be no complaints with his game against Hull. Fellaini picked off countless passes for United throughout the match before looking to get the ball forward immediately.
On a couple of occasions, the midfielder did try things but when he realised they were not going to work he simply went back to the basics and did what he knew best. If he is able to keep up these levels of performances, it is hard to see him losing his place in the line-up any time soon.
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