Reds Subs Who Have Changed Games

There is always a clamour for team news before every Manchester United match, with fans desperate to learn which players are in the starting eleven. Yet this season, it has become important to also study the seven names on the bench, given Jose Mourinho's habit of making match-influencing substitutions.

Here, we highlight just five matches in the 2016/17 campaign when substitutes have made a significant impact, including two games against EFL Cup semi-final opponents Hull City...

HULL CITY 0 UNITED 1 | PREMIER LEAGUE | 27 AUGUST 2016
The Reds were completely dominant at the KCOM Stadium but the score frustratingly remained 0-0, until Marcus Rashford ghosted into the six-yard box to finish from Wayne Rooney's cross on 92 minutes. It was the teenager's first appearance of the Premier League season and his second-half introduction up front changed the game in United's favour, with the Tigers seemingly unable to handle his pace and direct play. Mourinho, who was "more than happy that we won in Fergie time", lavished words of praise on his match-winner. "Marcus is working extremely well and he gave a special contribution today," the boss told MUTV.

WEST HAM 0 UNITED 2 | PREMIER LEAGUE | 2 JANUARY 2017
The three changes made at the London Stadium represented a masterclass in game management. Mourinho replaced Matteo Darmian with Juan Mata at half-time, pushed Marcos Rojo to left-back and pulled Michael Carrick into centre-back, as the Reds pushed for an opener against the 10-man Hammers. Rashford was then introduced to attack a tiring defence from a wide position, which led to him providing an assist for his fellow substitute Mata to break the deadlock. Chris Smalling was also sent on to add steel to the backline, with the boss predicting the eventual (and ultimately ineffective) introduction of big Andy Carroll.

UNITED 2 HULL CITY 0 | EFL CUP SEMI-FINAL | 10 JANUARY 2017
The Tigers were stubborn, well-organised opponents in the first leg, no doubt inspired by the appointment of Marco Silva, but United found a deserved breakthrough via Mata on 56 minutes. Mourinho knew a 1-0 lead was precarious, however, and duly introduced Marouane Fellaini on 79 minutes with clear instructions. The Belgian repaid his faith by scoring an important second goal, wrapping up a 2-0 win that means Hull must win by at least two clear goals in Thursday night’s second leg. "I told him he was going to score the second goal," Jose said afterwards, in reaction to Felli running to hug him on the touchline.

UNITED 1 LIVERPOOL 1 | PREMIER LEAGUE | 15 JANUARY 2017
Five days after his positive cameo against Hull, Marouane earned more praise for another influential introduction. He replaced Michael Carrick at half-time when the Reds trailed 1-0 and provided more steel in midfield, while also allowing the Reds to attack a defensive Liverpool side with a more direct approach. Crucially, his header that bounced off the post led to Zlatan Ibrahimovic netting a much-deserved equaliser and Henrikh Mkhitaryan was pleased by his contribution, as well as the two other substitutions. "Not only Marouane but also Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata put freshness in the team," Micki said. "They helped us a lot up front and we are happy that they could change something in our game."

STOKE CITY 1 UNITED 1 | PREMIER LEAGUE | 21 JANUARY 2017
As you may have heard this week (!), Rooney became the club's all-time leading scorer on Saturday when his late free-kick secured a 1-1 draw at Stoke City. The set-piece was notably won by his fellow substitute Rashford when his dynamic, attacking run from the left wing was ended by a Joe Allen foul. Wayne, who had replaced Mata on 67 minutes, stepped up to arc his history-making finish into the top corner, providing yet another example of a game-changing substitution made by Mourinho this season.