When the curtains were raised at Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho’s men rang the warning bells to the other teams across England, pelting down four on West Ham and getting the season off to a flier but that needed a replication again to show that it wasn’t a one match wonder.
A trip to the Liberty Stadium against Swansea provided that platform for the Red Devils and they took it delightfully well. Swansea’s fiery pressing kept United at bay until they struck through a corner just before the half time closed. Bailly’s opener completely changed the momentum.
Swansea improved their quality in the second half but United’s resilient chains never broke off and just when it looked like the match would end tightly, hell broke loose as quick counters back to back resulted in three goals for Lukaku, Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial as United triumphed with four goals in two consecutive matches for the first time since 2011. Here’s how Jose’s men have been rated after a magnificent performance:-
GK: David De Gea – 7/10
Involved in the distribution and easy catches but he was never called into action to make the saves thanks to a well-drilled United defence. Another clean-sheet and that’s a massive boost.
RB: Antonio Valencia – 7/10
Solid while defending and breathtakingly quick in making interceptions or cutting across a pass. Another top performance from the captain!
CB: Eric Bailly – 8/10
He reacted fast to get his boot to the ball for United’s opener. Effortlessly calm and composed with the ball and he cleared United off several dangers. He’s a tough brick.
CB: Phil Jones – 7/10
Has stepped up really well to cement his place beside Eric Bailly. Calm, tidy and assertive.
LB: Daley Blind – 6.5/10
Had a bit of trouble getting on with the game early on but grew into it. His passing and long range balls add another dimension to United’s attack and he has to be consistent with Luke Shaw back in training.
CDM: Nemanja Matic – 8/10
He brings so much to this United team. He sets players free, intercepts the ball, keeps the flow of the game intact and his positional sense is remarkable. Nemanja Matic is going to be an important tool and today he produced yet another impressive performance.
CM: Paul Pogba – 7/10
Struggled in the first half and lost his discipline but stepped up really well in the second half. Got himself a superb goal running behind the line of the defenders and contributed to maintaining control with the ball. There’s scope for improvement surely.
RAM: Juan Mata – 6/10
The game was mostly being played in the mid-field region and he had simple stuff to do drifting in from the right. Not involved a lot otherwise.
CAM: Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 8.5/10
The pressing and intensity of Swansea didn’t allow him to dictate the play but the second half was all about him and his creation. Two sweet balls got him two assists for the goals of Lukaku and Pogba and his work-rate was phenomenal and so was the ball control. Mkhitaryan has to make this his season.
LAM: Marcus Rashford – 7/10
Lively and troublesome but couldn’t provide the end-product. Subbed off in the second half.
ST: Romelu Lukaku – 7.5/10
Nice hold-up play and a well-taken finish for his goal. Two games, three goals and the future undoubtedly looks bright.
Substitutes:-
LAM: Anthony Martial ( On for Marcus Rashford ) – 8/10
Needed just twenty minutes to get his goal-tally ticking again. Superb break-away and a quality finish with Pogba providing the assist. That’s two goals in two with thirty minutes of play for the Frenchman and with performances like these, team selection will really be a headache for Jose Mourinho.
CDM: Marouane Fellaini ( On for Juan Mata ) – 7/10
He was brought in to cover the defence and win aerial battles and he did a decent job.
CM: Ander Herrera ( On for Mkhitaryan ) – 5/10
Hardly got time on the ball and was brought on only for 7 minutes.
