Manchester United 2-0 Southampton: Zlatan double sinks Saints

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Zlatan-9
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the hero for Manchester United as they won their first game at Old Trafford this season with a 2-0 win against Southampton.
Jose Mourinho gave debut to world’s most expensive footballer Paul Pogba at the expense of Ander Herrera who started in the win against Bournemouth last weekend – that was the only change for the Red Devils while Southampton also made two changes with Jose Fonte and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg coming in for Maya Yoshida  and James Ward-Prowse respectively.
First Half
Pogba had a nervy start in the first 15 seconds of the match as he lost possession but the Saints did not punish him. However, the visitors lost Romeu to injury and was replaced by Clasie.Pogback
United first real chance of the game fell to Pogba who curled a beautiful ball from the edge of the box after receiving a ball Ibrahimovic but Forster saved comfortably.
At the other end, Southampton had two chances to take the lead – first new signing Redmond broke clear and sent in a dangerous cross with evades every one. They prowled forward again and this time it was Davis who played in Shane Long but the forward failed to connect.
Manchester United created an opening of their own as Pogba and Mata combined to play in Ibrahimovic but his bicycle kick went off target but moments later he made no mistake as he connect a sweet cross from Wayne Rooney and planted his header past Forster to give United a 1-0 lead just before half-time.
Second half
Ibrahimovic goal before the half-time was his fourth consecutive debut goal for Manchester United having scored in the first game for the club against Galatasaray in pre-season, the Community Shield against Leicester City, and his first premier league game against Bournemouth last weekend.Zlatan-scores-again
Southampton started better in the second half as they kept possession very well and had the ball at the back of the net but the referee ruled it out for a push on Eric Bailly.
The Red Devils responded to that as Mata blasted a shot wide and Martial had his shot saved but the home side were gifted a penalty as substitute Clasie brought down the rampaging Luke Shaw for a penalty and Zlatan stepped up to coolly finish for 2-0.
Paul Pogba nearly got a debut goal for himself when he connected a header from Mata’s corner but it flashes wide. United had a perfect opportunity to make it three as Martial pulled clear off goal but Van Dijk made a fantastic block.
Shane Long saw his header go wide as Southampton find a way back into the game. Manchester United brought on Mkhitaryan for Mata while Ander Herrera replaced Anthony Martial while Jay Rodriguez substituted Shane Long for Southampton.
Mkhitaryan played in Paul Pogba on a counter-attack after receiving a pass from Zlatan Ibrahimovic but the France international blasted his efforts wide but it didn’t matter much as Manchester United ran out 2-0 winners on the night.

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