Manchester United V Southampton: 19/8/16
Jose Mourinho welcomed Claude Puel's Southampton to Old Trafford in the second gameweek of the Premier League season. Mourinho's first game as United coach at the Theatre of Dreams, would also mark the second debut of the £89 million man, Paul Pogba. Mourinho made one change to the side that won 3-1 away to Bournemotuh last weekend as Spaniard Ander Herrera made way for the debut of Pogba. Claude Puel's Southampton featured 2 changes as Pierre Hojbjerg made his debut for the 'Saints' and Portuguese European Championship winner José Fonte replaced James Ward-Prowse and Maya Yoshida respectively. There was still no place for Armenian forward Henrikh Mkhitaryan in Mourinho's side as last weeks goalscorer Juan Mata kept his place. Mercurial striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic retained his place up top, making his competitive debut at Old Trafford in the process.
The first half as United got us underway.Southampton won an early free kick on the edge of united's area as Dusan Tadic looked to step up to take it, but the wall did it's job. United were dominating the opening proceedings as Anthony Martial and former Southampton left back Luke Shaw combined well. Oriel Romeu picked up a knock in the opening minutes and received some attention form the physios. Mata then won United a corner as his reverse pass to Antonio Valencia was cut out my Matthew Targett. Romeu was replaced by Dutch man Jordy Clasie as the former Feyenoord man was introduced inside 15 minutes. Ibrahimovic then found Pogba just inside the area and the Frenchman let fly as Fraser Forester held the ball well. With just under 20 minutes gone, neither team looked the more likely to carve out a real chance as there was a feeling out process between the two sides. Dusan Tadic then mistimed his leap after Nathan Redmond's delivery found him unmarked at the back post. With just over 25 minutes gone, A good attack from United nearly resulted in a goal when Paul Pobga's dinked ball found Mata who's flicked header found Ibrahimovic before his effort went wide. Ibrahimovic then won his side a corner after which ultimately came to nothing. Pogba then used his strength to find Wayne Rooney with a well timed pass and the United captain's shot was easily held by the Saints keeper. With just over 30 minutes gone, Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his 3rd goal in as many games as Wayne Rooney's inviting ball was powered home by the big Swede to give United a 1-0 lead. Northern Ireland midfielder Steven Davis blasted high and wide from about 20 yards out as the first half drew to a close. The referee called time on the first half as United held a 1-0 lead over the South coast club.
The Saints got us under way for the second half looking for an equaliser to try and find a way back into the game. Dusan Tadic was convinced his side had draw level from his header but he was judged offside by the linesman. A good counter attack, set up by Pogba resulting in Forester needing to make a save from Anthony Martial on the edge of the block. Luke Shaw won a penalty for United after Jordy Clasie brought down the English full back in the area. Zlatan Ibrahimovic took over penalty duties and sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-0 and kill off the Saints. Jordy Clasie then blasted high and wide from outside then box with an hour gone. Virgil Van Dijk then saved Southampton another goal as he deflected Martial's shot from close range. Charlie Austin then replaced Steven Davis as Claude Puel looked to add firepower to his forward line. With 15 minutes left, Southampton were looking to find a goal as Henrikh Mkhitaryan was brought on for his Old Trafford debut as he replaced Juan Mata. Anthony Martial was replaced by Ander Herrera with just under 10 minutes to play. United then withdrew Wayne Rooney as Chris Smalling returned from his suspension. With just 2 minutes to go, Mkhitaryan found Pogba on the edge of the box after a quick counter attack but the Frenchman's shot went wide. José Mourinho maintained a clean sheet for the first time in his United reign as United went 3 for 3 under the 'Special One'
Ross
The first half as United got us underway.Southampton won an early free kick on the edge of united's area as Dusan Tadic looked to step up to take it, but the wall did it's job. United were dominating the opening proceedings as Anthony Martial and former Southampton left back Luke Shaw combined well. Oriel Romeu picked up a knock in the opening minutes and received some attention form the physios. Mata then won United a corner as his reverse pass to Antonio Valencia was cut out my Matthew Targett. Romeu was replaced by Dutch man Jordy Clasie as the former Feyenoord man was introduced inside 15 minutes. Ibrahimovic then found Pogba just inside the area and the Frenchman let fly as Fraser Forester held the ball well. With just under 20 minutes gone, neither team looked the more likely to carve out a real chance as there was a feeling out process between the two sides. Dusan Tadic then mistimed his leap after Nathan Redmond's delivery found him unmarked at the back post. With just over 25 minutes gone, A good attack from United nearly resulted in a goal when Paul Pobga's dinked ball found Mata who's flicked header found Ibrahimovic before his effort went wide. Ibrahimovic then won his side a corner after which ultimately came to nothing. Pogba then used his strength to find Wayne Rooney with a well timed pass and the United captain's shot was easily held by the Saints keeper. With just over 30 minutes gone, Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his 3rd goal in as many games as Wayne Rooney's inviting ball was powered home by the big Swede to give United a 1-0 lead. Northern Ireland midfielder Steven Davis blasted high and wide from about 20 yards out as the first half drew to a close. The referee called time on the first half as United held a 1-0 lead over the South coast club.
The Saints got us under way for the second half looking for an equaliser to try and find a way back into the game. Dusan Tadic was convinced his side had draw level from his header but he was judged offside by the linesman. A good counter attack, set up by Pogba resulting in Forester needing to make a save from Anthony Martial on the edge of the block. Luke Shaw won a penalty for United after Jordy Clasie brought down the English full back in the area. Zlatan Ibrahimovic took over penalty duties and sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-0 and kill off the Saints. Jordy Clasie then blasted high and wide from outside then box with an hour gone. Virgil Van Dijk then saved Southampton another goal as he deflected Martial's shot from close range. Charlie Austin then replaced Steven Davis as Claude Puel looked to add firepower to his forward line. With 15 minutes left, Southampton were looking to find a goal as Henrikh Mkhitaryan was brought on for his Old Trafford debut as he replaced Juan Mata. Anthony Martial was replaced by Ander Herrera with just under 10 minutes to play. United then withdrew Wayne Rooney as Chris Smalling returned from his suspension. With just 2 minutes to go, Mkhitaryan found Pogba on the edge of the box after a quick counter attack but the Frenchman's shot went wide. José Mourinho maintained a clean sheet for the first time in his United reign as United went 3 for 3 under the 'Special One'
Ross
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