Paul Pogba won his first man of the match award in a United shirt as the Red Devils triumphed 4-1 against Premier League Champions Leicester. Pogba scored his first goal in a United shirt, completed the most passes on the pitch, created a couple of major chances that led to goals for United, completed the most passes of any player on the pitch, and, ultimately, completely dominated the pitch and drove United forward.
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Mourinho’s United reign began with a 2-1 win over Leicester in the Community Shield at Wembley and, after back-to-back Premier League losses against Manchester City and Watford, he was pleased to see a measure of that early optimism return among the Old Trafford faithful.
Rooney bore the brunt of the criticism following his labored displays and Mourinho made a decision to put his 30-year-old captain on the bench in the biggest call of his United reign to date.
Aguero’s 11th goal in all competitions this season ensured City would remain on top of the Premier League and extended Guardiola’s ideal start.
United looked more fluid without Rooney in the team, and according to The Sun, Mourinho has told Rooney to sort out his own form before he lectures others.
Pogba and Mata ran the midfield in front of the anchorman Ander Herrera, Zlatan Ibrahimovic floated around prompting play in his inimitable way, while Rashford was his usual busy, direct self and scored for the third straight game. But it was a chastening afternoon for Leicester despite an improved second-half display and a brilliant consolation goal from half-time substitute Demarai Gray.
“Today we had intensity movement and dynamism”.
Rooney, meanwhile, could only applaud from the bench as the goals flew in.
“We switched off”, Ranieri said. Pogba then clipped a majestic ball over a Leicester defender for Ibrahimovic, but the Swede again fired over. Neville called this game a wake-up call for Pogba, who, in his opinion, had been quite poor in a United shirt before the Leicester game, but he said consistent performances of that calibre would easily justify his hefty fee.
Mata set up the third, receiving a quickly-taken corner by Blind next to the byline and crossing low for Rashford to tap in.
“When the team didn’t play well he plays not so well, when the team plays better he plays better”.
Zieler had to scramble across to prevent an exceptional 30-yard strike from Pogba going into the top corner, but the champions’ goal was now under siege and United netted three goals in five minutes towards the end of the opening period.
“Today we showed that we are very strong on that and as well a nice goal between Daley, me and Marcus”.
“I think if we can start the game with that tempo, I think there’s not many teams that can live with us”.
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The opener for United came on 22 minutes through an unlikely source.
