Ibrahimovic stepped up and made no mistake from the spot, 2-0.
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Southampton had won 1-0 on their previous two visits to Old Trafford, but they did not seriously threaten to make it three in a row in what was the first of 10 Friday games in the Premier League this season.
Ibrahimovic, who met Wayne Rooney’s fine cross with a thumping header in the 36th minute, led the line with an Eric Cantona-esque air of self-belief as United played with the swagger that has been missing since the retirement of all-conquering former manager Alex Ferguson in 2013.
Paul Pogba starts for Manchester United in tonight’s Premier League game against Southampton.
With Captain Rooney, Martial and Ibrahimovic all starting, it seemed like United would have enough fire-power to overcome a side that had not improved their defensive side by much from last season where they had conceded sixty seven goals.
Paul Pogba has admitted that Jose Mourinho was a key factor in his decision to rejoin Manchester United in the summer transfer window. We are getting better and better.
“First of all, when you speak about the best players in the world you go immediately to the ones that score a lot of goals”, Mourinho continued.
Anthony Martial missed a chance to pick out Ibrahimovic for his hat-trick, but Jose Mourinho’s men closed out the match easily in his first league home game.
“I was not joking [when I say 15 more years] – 53 plus 15 is 68, so I would say 14, 15, 16 more years, but I don’t see myself going home before 70”.
Ibrahimovic was on a hat-trick after scoring a goal either side of half-time and could have scored his third of the night had Pogba opted to pick out his teammate; however, the Frenchman shot wide of the target.
Jordy Clasie made a poor challenge on Luke Shaw inside the area and referee awarded a penalty. For me you don’t leave for sure.
A relaxed Paul Pogba collected a win in his Manchester United re-debut.
It was evident from the opening whistle that Pogba was eager to make an impression on the home fans as he flew into a tackle on Dusan Tadic in just the first minute, giving away a foul and finding himself fortunate not to have been booked. I’m so happy with the organisation of the team.
“He needs time to build his condition and his understanding in the way the team tries to play”, he tells the International Business Times.
“We have a good team that wants to win the league again because it’s been three years”.
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“We have a big squad and a top quality squad so I need September urgently”.
