After a whirlwind start to the Premier League season with back-to-back 4-0 wins over West Ham United and Swansea City, Manchester United made it three wins from three with a 2-0 victory over 2015/16 Premier League champions Leicester City.
Incidentally, this was the only league match that United scored four goals last term, in a 4-1 triumph last September. But that run was not to continue today.
It didn't help when Juan Mata had his goal incorrectly disallowed for offside in the first half after a cross from Paul Pogba caused mayhem in Leicester City’s box. That said, United continued to create chances; one notably from Mata who forced a terrific left-handed save by Kasper Schmeichel.
However, United did get a decision in their favour when referee Michael Oliver awarded a penalty when Danny Simpson handled the ball inside the box. What followed was a poor spot kick, at a perfect height for Schmeichel, as Lukaku wasted an opportunity to take the lead.
It took United 70 minutes to open the scoring when Marcos Rashford came on as a substitute to tuck home Mkhitaryan’s corner to award the Armenian five assists in three games. Just 10 minutes later Marouane Fellaini, another one of Mourinho’s substitutes, doubled their lead.
United remain league leaders. They could not have asked for a better start to the season.
Antony Martial performs on his start of the season
After two stunning cameos off the bench in United’s first two Premier League games, Jose Mourinho responded to calls from fans who wanted Martial to start against Leicester City. The Frenchman’s attitude came in for questioning last season so he has everything to prove this season.
During the earlier stages of the game, United played with an interchanging quartet involving Martial, Juan Mata, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Juan Mata. This caused The Foxes problems as neither defender knew which attacker he was to mark.
Martial performed well and caused a number of problems driving forward. He set Pogba up brilliantly at the back post, although his fellow countryman was unable to convert his effort which went wide after drifting across the goal.
Paul Pogba already improving with Nemanja Matic winning battles
The former Juventus midfielder had an array of shots from range but was unable to fire one past Schmeichel. While many will suggest this is wasteful and damning towards United’s attacking approach, but the main point to take from it is how he has more freedom to roam around the pitch thanks to Matic’s domineering presence.
Pogba has a long way to go before he’s convinced everyone United were right to spend a significant amount of money on his last summer, but early signs this season suggest he is moving in the right direction.
Romelu Lukaku’s hold up play second the none
For a lad many claim has no first touch or lacks football intelligence, United’s build-up play depend predominately on Lukaku. Unless they were to foul the striker, Leicester were unable to win a ball when his back was turned to goal. This is, without question, an avenue Mourinho is going to exploit throughout the season because there are not many defenders capable of winning a battle with United’s frontman due to his awareness on and off the ball and sheer straight.
Lukaku’s performance shouldn’t be overlooked because of a penalty miss. He was among the reasons Leicester’s defence had such a busy evening, yet they still looked assured enough to lock up and keep United out until the ‘70th minute when Rashford struck home.
