Manchester United continued their brilliant start to the Premier League season with a 4-0 win against Swansea City. Jose Mourinho’s players were not shining for more than a full hour of play. Yet, their rampant display in final 15 minutes secured them a big win away from home.
Patient Win Was Needed
Eric Bailly scored the first goal for Manchester United, though the Reds were not playing well before it. It was the last minute of the first half when the Frenchman scored and Man United were scrapping through. Swansea could have scored on two occasions early on.
Still, United showed their patience, waited for Swansea to push forward and with three goals in less than four minutes completed another 4-0 win. Midfield was not as creative as last Sunday for most part of the match, but were resilient and waited their moment. Nemanja Matic was good enough in the center of the park, but going forwards Man United lacked creativity.
Swansea City applied pressure in right areas of the pitch, giving Man United control of the ball in wider areas and far away from their goal. Man United were not brilliant during 75 minutes, but shook off any nervousness with three swift goals.
Manchester United Nervous Throughout
Manchester United players were very nervous during first half. Both Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba were unable to get themselves running. Rashford made many poor decisions in final third and could have done better on few occasions. Pogba on the other hand deserved an early booking and just minutes afterwards made an unnecessary foul on Martin Olsson.
It was not enough for him to get a second yellow card but it showed United could not get the hold of the game. Paul Clement’s tactics were very good in a 3-5-2 during most part of the 70 minutes. Yet, Man United were able to overcome nervousness in the final part of the match.
1907-08 – Manchester United have scored 4+ goals in their opening two league games of a season for the first time in 110 years. Rampant. pic.twitter.com/EZcT1ZdZdW
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 19, 2017
Lukaku Takes His Chance
Romelu Lukaku scored again and he has done so in his only chance of the match. He had a very quiet first half, completing just two passes in the process. Still, the big Belgian had managed to get his name on the score sheet and break Swansea completely. It was a goal expected of a proper number 9, standing in the right position and putting the ball in the back of the net.
Lukaku was very well looked after for most part of the game, especially when Swansea played with three centre-backs. He often had two players on his back in tight spaces. Yet, Lukaku showed he will find a way to find the net no matter what.
Martial Should Start
Though Paul Pogba turned out to be man of the match with a goal and two assists, Anthony Martial made obvious impact coming off the bench. He did the same things like versus West Ham, causing havoc among opposing defenders. He scored again, bringing his tally to two goals and one assist in 26 Premier League minutes this season. With Rashford obviously nervous, maybe Martial should get a chance to start next weekend against Leicester City.
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