Manchester United faced Southampton in their home opener at Old Trafford this past Friday. Riding the high of a convincing, opening away winner against Bournemouth, manager (and Special One) Jose Mourinho hoped to continue his winning ways, which began with a victory in the Community Shield match against 2016 Premier League Champions Leicester City.
Mourinho’s match selections were bolstered by the availability of prodigal Paul Pogba, who’s record transfer fee arrived before the first match but he remained unavailable due to a continuing match suspension for yellow card accumulation. Chris Smalling was also available after serving his suspension and he joined his teammates as an available substitution. In his back five, Mourinho selected stalwart David De Gea as goalkeeper, Luke Shaw as left back, Eric Bailly and Daley Blind as centerbacks, and Antonio Valencia at right back. In midfield, Pogba made his homecoming start in a central defensive role alongside Marouane Feilani, who seems to have won Mourinho’s favor while teammate Bastian Schweinsteiger seems to have worn out his welcome at United in Mourinho’s brief tenure thus far. Ahead of Feilani and Pogba, Anthony Martial, Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata detailed the attacking midfield roles just behind United’s new prolific scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Ultimately, United dominated the game from beginning to end, holding the majority of the possession, defending convincingly, and doing as Sir Alex Ferguson-led United and Mourinho coached teams do so well (they score first!). United provided plenty of excitement throughout the first half until Zlatan brought them off the mark with a thumping header on a delightful bit of service provided by Wayne Rooney’s cross. Defensively, United were extremely thorough by limiting Southampton’s chances to difficult, tight angles in which De Gea would never be beaten.
Early in the second half, it seemed Southampton equalized on a Tadic header, however, the attentive linesman correctly applied the offside rule and the goal was rescinded. United reassumed their composure and produced a dangerous attacking buildup soon after Southampton’s goal chance. Luke Shaw combined with Martial on the left wing. A penalty was awarded when Jordie Clasie brought Shaw down in the penalty box with the slightest of trips, still definitely a foul committed on a clumsy challenge. Zlatan buried the penalty chance to give United its two goal lead, which it maintained until the match’s end to preserve De Gea’s clean sheet and launch his campaign for the Golden Gloves Goalkeeper award (awarded to the EPL goalkeeper with the most clean sheets.)
The match was another positive stepping stone for the United campaign to return to the Champions League and win the Premier League. Zlatan Ibrahimovic took advantage of a difficult scoring chance on his headed goal and confidently slid in his penalty try. He’s currently running rampant in the English Premier League, but what did you really expect from the Swedish football phenom that has won a league title in four different countries and scored nearly 400 goals in domestic play? Pogba had a scoreless debut in his return to Old Trafford, however, a closer examination of his performance (i.e. watching the game or even the highlights) portends wonderful things. In exemplary, daring dribbles from right outside of the United box, Pogba revealed his unique combination of power, pace, and technical ability that has him vaunted as the premier talent in England if not all of Europe. Anthony Martial had a wonderful performance alongside his French countryman as well, producing scoring chances and trying defenders as well as the goalkeeper. Rooney turned in a great performance as well, assisting the opening goal and creating chances through the buildup from attacking midfield. Eric Bailly shored up the defenses, maintaining brilliant organization and communication alongside his teammates in defense.
United maintained their hold of first with their home victory, which they share with rival Manchester City, and while they might espouse that they are focused only on their results, they might also admit a bit of joy from the league table as it stands. While United share the highest goal differential with Man. City and have six from their possible six points in their opening two matches, popular rivals Arsenal have gained only one point in two matches and currently lie in 13th place. Reigning Premier League Champions Leicester City are also on one point earned after a opening week defeat to recently promoted Hull City, who find themselves brimming with confidence after back-to-back wins. Man. U. face Hull City next week Saturday at KCOM Stadium in Hull. Zlatan will be chasing goals (and simultaneously glory), as he hopes to become the first United player to score in his first three Premier League matches on the 1st squad. Tune in to the match Saturday at 12:30pm on your local NBC channel.
Enjoy highlights from the match below.