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THREE MOU-sketeers

Why Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho needs to keep faith with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard

Red Devils boss should stick to the trio who can fire his side back to the winning days

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JOSE MOURINHO claims he is not a man under siege.

It has got to feel like that sometimes with the endless brickbats seemingly all for one.

 Jose Mourinho hugging Jesse Lingard who secured a point for Red Devils against Arsenal
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Jose Mourinho hugging Jesse Lingard who secured a point for Red Devils against ArsenalCredit: EPA

But in Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial he has Three Musketeers who can ease his pain and take the fight back to his critics.

What Mourinho needs to do is keep faith with them and not buckle and return to old ways.

These three lifted Old Trafford on Wednesday as Manchester United fought out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

Their pace, movement and intensity had roars tumbling down from the all sides of the Theatre of Dreams once more.

 Anthony Martial celebrating his first-time leveller against the Gunners
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Anthony Martial celebrating his first-time leveller against the GunnersCredit: EPA

Both Martial and Lingard got on the score sheet while Marcus Rashford showed an element of the ‘mad dog’ Mourinho was looking for last weekend at Southampton.

Yes Romelu Lukaku cost the boss £75million, while he inherited these three.

But Lukaku looks shot while these three are alive to the task providing the team with the ‘dynamic and appetite’ Mourinho wanted from them.

United were at it from the start on Wednesday night trying to prove a point to doubting fans.

 Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba started the Arsenal clash on the bench
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Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba started the Arsenal clash on the benchCredit: Reuters

Once again United had to come from behind to get a point after twice trailing Arsenal.

It was the same at Southampton when they were 2-0 down and got a draw.

If you want to take a positive from that it is that they do not down tools and have fight in them.

They were unlucky on Wednesday with the nature of the goals they conceded.

 Lukaku cannot provide Mourinho liveliness he expects from his team while Pogba is also at odds with the Portuguese
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Lukaku cannot provide Mourinho liveliness he expects from his team while Pogba is also at odds with the PortugueseCredit: AFP or licensors

The manager can do little about David De Gea palming one over his head and Marcos Rojo making a loose pass and then deflecting the ball past his own ‘keeper.

When you are in a slump, and United are still in one after taking three points from their last 12, these things happen.

Paul Pogba was also a high profile absentee from the starting line up on Wednesday, but not missed given his recent performances.

Indeed much of the urgency in the United performance seemed to go out the side when they came on for a limping Martial and then Lingard.

 Mourinho embracing Marcus Rojo coming off the pitch after he scored an own goal on Wednesday
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Mourinho embracing Marcus Rojo coming off the pitch after he scored an own goal on WednesdayCredit: Reuters
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho launches thinly-veiled attack on Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku after Arsenal draw

At the back Eric Bailly put in a display they defied suggestions his confidence was shot while Marcos Rojo injected some much needed bite.

Some on social media suggested that to find so many positives in a 2-2 home draw with Arsenal shows how far United have fallen.

Yes, they have fallen.

That does not mean you cannot look for indicators to a brighter future and on Wednesday there were plenty.

 Marcus Rashford showed an element of the ‘mad dog’ Mourinho was looking for last weekend at Southampton
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Marcus Rashford showed an element of the ‘mad dog’ Mourinho was looking for last weekend at SouthamptonCredit: Reuters

That flicker of hope could quickly be snuffed out of course on Saturday when struggling Fulham are the visitors.

Nobody will be surprised if it is.

The evidence of Wednesday night and an exciting three man front line suggests it shouldn’t and it’s why Mourinho needs to stick with them.

Not just for a couple of games but for a good long run in the side.

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