It is not in Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s nature to be upstaged by anyone, even the most expensive player in the history of football when he is making his debut. So Paul Pogba’s big night was also Ibrahimovic’s, the £89 million (Dh426.8m) man making an accomplished bow at Old Trafford but the man recruited on a free transfer proving the match-winner.
Ibrahimovic scored twice as Southampton were defeated. These are such early days that the standings mean little but Manchester United are top of the Premier League and Ibrahimovic is its leading scorer. It is not inconceivable that both statements will still be true in May.
Certainly there is a different feel about United this season. Old Trafford is a more optimistic place, spared the sight of Louis van Gaal’s bemusing tactics and sideways passing and buoyed by statement signings. United have made their ambition clear in the transfer market and it is being reflected on the pitch.
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Jose Mourinho's teams, with the great exception of Chelsea last year, tend to start seasons well and boast enviable home records. United are in the process of doing the first and it would scarcely rank as a surprise if they accomplished the second as well.
Three games, four goals: Ibrahimovic has made an instant impact. Any 34-year-old is, by definition, a short-term signing, but he has taken no time to settle. His second goal was a penalty after Jordy Clasie tripped Luke Shaw. His first was perhaps more significant.
Wayne Rooney has a capacity to deliver contributions that can camouflage his ineffectiveness in other facets of the game. His goal at Bournemouth on Saturday was one such, an assist against Southampton another. He picked out Ibrahimovic with a cross and the striker headed past Fraser Forster. It was an indication he has added another dimension to the United forward line: they are not accustomed to having such an aerial threat.
His home debut was an unquestioned success. Another newcomer’s was rather briefer. Henrikh Mkhitaryan, for the third consecutive game, was deployed as a substitute. United could prove more prolific when they integrate the Bundesliga’s reigning Footballer of the Year and, if it feels a little surprising he has not featured more so far, their results offer vindication for Mourinho.
But he did not hold Pogba back. The Frenchman was prominent and popular with the Old Trafford faithful. He scarcely looked a player who had not featured for 40 days. He was bold in possession and displayed the running power to get forward. He has muscle and a measured touch. He threatened a goal and, at times, ran the game. That he should get better, when he acquires match sharpness and gets more accustomed to his new teammates and to Mourinho’s tactics, is a worrying prospect for opponents.
Old Trafford's first visitors were brushed aside. Southampton had won on their two previous trips. Only Manchester City can boast a hat-trick of consecutive victories on United turf in the Premier League but, briefly, Southampton threatened to emulate them. Dusan Tadic, their 2015 match-winner, almost connected with Nathan Redmond's cross. Their menace on the counter-attack was apparent, too, when Shane Long fizzed a shot into the side-netting. The offside Tadic had a goal disallowed after half-time.
Within two minutes, Ibrahimovic doubled his tally. Southampton’s winning run at Old Trafford was ending.
United’s, under Mourinho anyway, may be only just beginning.
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