Manchester United grabbed their opening home victory of the season when they defeated Southampton on Friday night. A brace from Zlatan Ibrahimovic was enough for United to make it two out of two for Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho made a single change in the squad which faced Bournemouth a week ago. The record signing Paul Pogba was able to make his debut in front of the home crowd after missing the first game due to suspension. United dominated the game and looked formidable, with all the new signings playing a part. Here are some takeaways from the match.
Marouane Fellaini reinvented in the defensive midfield role
Before the team news came in it was widely expected that Pogba would replace Maraoune Fellaini and partner Ander Herrera in midfield, after the Spaniard had performed strongly in the deeper role against Bournemouth. In fact it was the opposite as Fellaini got the nod ahead of Herrera. The decision was not questioned after the final whistle as the Belgian delivered an impressive performance.
Fellaini continues to show improvement irrespective of his role in midfield, having played a more advanced position in the games against Bournemouth and Leicester. Against Saints, Pogba was the box to box dynamo, while Fellaini mopped things up from further back. The Belgian was tidy with his passing and averted any danger with his good positioning. He provides a strong physical presence in the middle, and looks set to continue reinventing himself.
Juan Mata continues to shine
It was widely expected that Juan Mata would leave Manchester United after the arrival of Jose Mourinho. The Spaniard has responded to such reports by impressing Mourinho with his performances. He started a second game on the trot and kept new signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan on the bench.
Mata excelled against Southampton, continuing to play as a false winger on the right hand side. He gradually advanced inside and allowed Antonio Valencia to bomb forward, while also showing great chemistry and interplay with Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The attacking midfielder is likely to stay at United and can play a crucial role if he continues to deliver such strong performances.
Ibrahimovic is going to be the go through man for goals this season
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has taken very little time to announce himself on the Premier League stage. He scored twice against Southampton- a powerful header and a composed penalty. Manchester United have missed a striker like this since the departure of Robin Van Persie, and Ibrahimovic now has three league goals in two games for his new club.
United struggled for goals last season and became heavily dependent on Anthony Martial, who played on the left flank most of the time. This year they look to be able to rely on Ibrahimovic for goals as he has instantly adapted to the English game, and eased the pressure on younger players like Martial and Marcus Rashford. He will be the go through man in front of goal.
Paul Pogba is the engine of the midfield
Friday night was special for one player as Pogba made his second debut for Manchester United. The French midfielder started off with a loose touch but grew into the game as time went on. He showed several moments of the kind of class which United fans have been looking forward to since his arrival from Juventus for a world record fee.
Mourinho gave Pogba the freedom to play as a box to box midfielder, and he showed both good distribution and also a great amount of work off the ball too. He frequently picked the ball up deep and drove past the Southampton midfield. United have missed such energy in centre of the pitch and the Frenchman is likely to be the engine of the midfield for quite some time.
Luke Shaw looks well recovered from injury
The return of Luke Shaw is like a new signing for Manchester United. Crucially, the young left back looks well recovered from the horrific leg break he suffered 12 months ago, and was almost back to his best against Southampton. He drove forward and contributed well in the attacking third, and it was his run between the Saints players that led to United’s Ibrahimovic converted penalty in the second half.
Shaw is also not afraid to put in challenges while defending, and United missed him a lot last term, their season suffering a major setback after his injury. It is a huge positive that the 21 year old is back to his best, and his mental strength and determination are to be admired.