Paul Pogba stroked in a penalty-kick during his first appearance since lifting the World Cup and Luke Shaw broke his career duck as Manchester United began the 2018/19 Premier League with a 2-1 win against Leicester City.
Last term’s runners-up sprung a surprise with the inclusion of France midfielder Pogba, 25, from the start. He showed no rust in just the third minute – despite only returning to training on Monday – when he converted from 12 yards after Ghana right-back Daniel Amartey’s sloppy handball.
United failed to step up a gear on Friday night and Spain No1 David De Gea had to be alert to paw away winger Demarai Gray’s second-half volley. This jolted the hosts at Old Trafford back into life and left-back Shaw showed great skill to earn space in the box and find the bottom corner in the 83rd minute.
England striker Jamie Vardy then headed in a fortuitous injury-time goal for the visitors, but United held on.
Here are our player ratings:
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-3-3)
David De Gea – 7: He underwhelmed for Spain in Russia, but the 27-year-old comes into his own at club level. Produced wonderful saves from Premier League debutant James Maddison and Gray. Helpless as Ricardo Pereira cross skidded through at the death.
Matteo Darmian – 6: This was an encouraging performance for United in two respects. Darmian was much improved from the erratic figures of previous campaigns, plus it’s likely increased the price the club are demanding of the right-back’s Italian suitors.
Eric Bailly – 6: A typical, all-action display from the Ivory Coast international – who looked recovered from knock against Bayern Munich. Spoiled it at the end with hesitancy dealing with Pereira centre.
Victor Lindelof – 6: Confidence-boosting selection for the Sweden international. Stood up to physical threat at set-pieces and did well on the ground against Leicester’s pacy attackers. A better second season awaits.
Luke Shaw – 8: A huge smile crept across his face when he scored for the first time in his career. This capped off a fine display from the 23-year-old. Even manager Jose Mourinho cheered the goal – is this the turning point for Shaw?
Fred – 6: This was a solid debut for the £47 million summer signing from Shakhtar Donetsk. Won fair share of the ball and put in 92.3-per-cent pass completion from 52 passes, before being substituted.
Andreas Pereira – 7: The Brazil youth international had been waiting for this moment. His first league start in England after several seasons away saw him do well at the base of midfield. Mourinho must have been impressed.
Paul Pogba – 7: No minutes in pre-season and fresh off his holiday, Pogba showed his class to authoritatively strike from the spot in just the third minute. Influence was then understandably intermittent, plus he was dispossessed a United high four times. But after months of rumours about his reported disquiet, this was the response Mourinho was hoping for.
Juan Mata – 7: The Spain playmaker blew hot and cold. Showed class to tee up Shaw for opening goal.
Marcus Rashford – 5: The new holder of the No10 shirt had a night to forget. Appeared to take a knock in the first half and had no attempts on goal in 66 minutes of action.
Alexis Sanchez – 6: Another to put in an inconsistent performance. Messed up a few opportunities on the break with poor passes, but also produced several eye-catching flicks. Something to work on for the January arrival.
18 - Jose Mourinho is unbeaten in all 18 of his opening league matches of a season as a manager (W11 D7), winning nine of his 10 in the Premier League (D1). Specialist. pic.twitter.com/yr2QXDovOf
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 10, 2018
SUBS
Romelu Lukaku – 5: Should have scored, but denied by Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel’s legs.
Scott McTominay – N/A: A trusted lieutenant for Mourinho. Did a job to plug midfield.
Marouane Fellaini – N/A: Man who looked like he was poised to leave United was present to see things through.
