Manchester United: World Cup matchday 1 player rankings – Which United star sits on top?!

3. Paul Pogba

Pogba started the World Cup how every Manchester United fan dreamt him to. After a difficult second half of the season under Jose Mourinho, it would have done the midfielders confidence the world of good to get off to a good start.

To the left of midfield three in a 433 formation against Australia, Pogba was able to strut his stuff. He looked confident and comfortable in a laboured opening 45 minutes for France. You always felt they and Pogba had another gear to step into. In the second half, they found that gear and the quick one-touch goal cumulating in Pogba deflecting the ball in demonstrated that.

2. Nemanja Matic

Jose Mourinho didn’t rate Serbia’s chances of qualifying out of Group E very highly, but they have started off on the right foot. As has Nemanja Matic. The Manchester United midfielder was superb against Costa Rica. He dominated proceedings from start to finish.

In the first half, Serbia controlled the match from a defensive point of view, limiting Costa Rica to very few chances. But the second half got underway and Serbia were on the front foot. Matic provided the foundations for Serbia to build their attacks, usually ending up at the feet of their talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Matic seemed to lose his cool as the match drew to a close. He tried to snatch the ball out of the opposing manager’s hand sparking wild confrontation amongst players and benches. But United’s star man moved on and closed out the match.