MAN UNITED 3, SHEFF UTD 0
Anthony Martial’s first career hat-trick reinforced Manchester United’s late bid for a Champions League place as the Reds beat Sheffield United 3-0.
It was the finest hour as a Reds’ player for the Frenchman whose first treble came in his 284th career appearance.
And it was the first Premier League hat trick for a Reds’ player for seven years, Robin van Persie the last player to achieve the feat.
Martial deflected personal praise saying the most important thing was winning the game which keeps United hot on the heels of fourth-placed Chelsea.
And while the last goal was “very good” he was just as pleased with the first two strikes.
“It was strange with no fans, but I know they will be happy for me,” he added.
Embed from Getty ImagesManager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praise Martial who now has 19 goals for the season.
“We have worked with Anthony getting in the box like that,” he said.
“The third was a great goal, but the first two were just as important and the first one was vital.”
Solskjaer was pleased with the victory, but claimed his side needs to be more ruthless in front of goal.
He said: “I am not 100 per cent happy and there is more to come.
“We should have scored more goals and were a bit lackadaisical with the final pass.
“We should have gone into half time with two or three more goals.”
Paul Pogba was rewarded for his impressive cameo in Friday’s 1-1 draw at Tottenham with a starting spot.
The Frenchman replaced Fred, one of three changes as the Reds played their first home game for 108 days.
The others saw Nemanja Matic take over from Scott McTominay while Mason Greenwood was preferred to Daniel James.
The Blades made six changes from the side beaten 3-0 at Newcastle, though goalkeeper Dean Henderson could not play against his parent club and John Egan, dismissed at St James’ Park, was suspended.
There was one minute’s silence pre-match in memory of Reds’ legend Tony Dunne who died earlier this month aged 78.
United hit the ground running taking a seventh minute lead as Martial scored his 17th goal of the season.
Rashford burst to the by-line from a throw in and cut the ball back for Martial to fire home from four yards.
United were playing with a swagger and carved out chance after chance.
Rashford was twice put through on goal but was unable to convert, Bruno Fernandes forced an athletic stop from Simon Moore while Harry Maguire headed home from Fernandes’ corner only for the goal to be ruled out for a shove on Phil Jagielka.
They needed a second goal to show for their dominance, but it eventually came in the 43rd minute when Martial struck again.
This time Aaron Wan-Bissaka delivered a low cross from the right and Martial converted his18th of the campaign with a low shot from eight yards.
With United almost home and dry by the interval, the second period lacked real urgency as the Reds remained in control.
Greenwood had a gilt-edged chance to make it 3-0, but his deflected shot flashed just wide of the upright.
United saved the best to last as Martial completed his hat-trick in the 74th minute with a goal of sheer quality.
Pogba played a low pass to Fernandes whose first-time flick released Martial who played a return pass with Rashford before dinking the ball over Moore from six yards for his 19th of the season.
United made all five changes with 10 minutes left as Martial, Rashford, Fernandes, Greenwood and Pogba made way for Odion Ighalo, Daniel James, McTominay, Juan Mata and Andreas Pereira.