LONDON: Anthony Martial’s hat-trick powered Manchester United to 3-0 win over Sheffield United in the Premiership League on Wednesday.
“On the hottest day of 2020, with temperatures inside the empty stadium soaring, Martial was on fire as football returned to United’s home. The 24-year-old scored two poacher’s goals and completed his personal historic display with a sublime third in the second half,” Manchester United wrote on their website.
The win helped United close to within two points of the top four and victory for Jurgen Klopp’s men over Crystal Palace at Anfield will mean Manchester City have to win at Chelsea on Thursday to deny the Reds being crowned champions.
Martial produced two predatory first-time finishes before half-time to put the Red Devils in command.
Sheffield United were riding high in March before football’s shutdown for three months, but the Blades have now picked up just one point and failed to score in their three games since the restart.
United could have pilled on much more pain after the break, but were content with one more goal as Martial completed his first career hat-trick with a cheeky chip from Marcus Rashford’s pass.
Fifth-place could still be good enough for a place in next season’s Champions League depending on the outcome of Manchester City’s appeal against a two-season ban from European competition.
United are still far off challenging again for titles at the top of the table, but there are growing signs of momentum for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men as they extended their unbeaten run to 13 games.
