Manchester United beat Huddersfield Town 3-1 at Old Trafford on Boxing Day. Nemanja Matic scored the opening goal, then a brace by Paul Pogba in the second half. Zanka got a late consolation for the visitors in the 88th minute. Angel Gomes got himself ten minutes of first team football under his belt, which will be both beneficial to him and United. Bournemouth visits Old Trafford next…
It has been a good start to life at Old Trafford for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Two games, two wins, six points, eight goals scored but two conceded. It shows that there is still work to do at the Theatre of Dreams. United have talented players and that has started to show in the last two matches. When United are back to full strength with Romelu Lukaku back and firing, Anthony Martial doing his thing and Alexis Sanchez given a chance to show his worth, this team could be on point.
Paul Pogba was the MOTM in the victory over Huddersfield Town. He seems to have stepped up his game, showing more in the last 180 minutes of football than he has all season. It is a shame he decided to be anti-professional as that has left a bad taste in the mouth of many supporters, a bad taste that may never leave. However, as long as he performs 100% each game and continues to wear the shirt, he will be supporters by the Old Trafford faithful.
It was great to see Angel Gomes get ten minutes under his belt at Old Trafford. He’s played fewer than five minutes in two appearances previously, so this will help him continue on his quest for more first team football. The talent is there and it could be seen at U18, U19 and now at U23 level football. If he can continue to rise to the challenge, it may not be long before he is contending with other players for a place in the first team.
Manchester United
1 David De Gea
Pulled off a great save to deny Depoitre. Unable to keep a clean sheet, but as the win was in the bag, so were the three points.
Diogo Dalot
Played an attacking game, his first under Solakjaer. Missed a sitter, which could have put United 2-0 up at the time. Was substituted early in the second half.
2 Victor Lindelof
The Iceman has risen to the occasion this season. He provoked the flick which set Matic up to score his first goal of the season. Calm and assured in defence. As well as solid.
4 Phil Jones
Solid in defence, just like Lindelof. Did what he needed to keep Depoitre at bay. If he can keep performing like this, also avoiding injury, it might be what United need at the back.
23 Luke Shaw
Could have provided more attacking support for United as they really missed Martial today. He did what he needed to do at the right times though.
17 Fred
Not convinced by the Brazilian yet. Booked in the first half and hooked in the second. Needs more time on the pitch to find his feet but with some of his play today, that is not going to buy him time.
31 Nemanja Matic
The Serbian has been decent under Solskjaer. His form was tiring under Mourinho. His tap-in is what United needed today, to get them off the mark.
8 Juan Mata
His passes were great today. Some of them carved Huddersfield open. Mata is the type of player needed to unlock the best of any team. Definitely a player to build the team around. A successor to Mata will also be needed, otherwise he's going to be a big loss when he's gone.
6 Paul Pogba
MOTM. Two goals. A decent performance for the Frenchman. However, he needs to do this more often. Looks happy, which is a confidence builder. Only more to come from the Frenchman.
14 Jesse Lingard
Played well with Pogba and Mata, all behind Rashford. He was lively but perhaps did not have the say in the game as he did against Cardiff. However, performing like that all the times requires a top level footballer. Lingard could get there.
10 Marcus Rashford
His pace and skill had Huddersfield snookered at times. He is the best attacker at the club right now. He's in form and playing well and seemingly full of confidence. The rise of Rashford is going to be a great one.
Substitutes
18 Ashley Young
Replaced Dalot 54'. The veteran got forward at times but never really created anything.
21 Ander Herrera
Replaced Fred 54'. The Spanish midfielder did not get as much of the ball as he might have been expected to. He did set up Pogba's second goal with some good reading of the game.
28 Angel Gomes
Replaced Mata 80'. Had a ten minute cameo. Forced a save from Lossl in his time on the pitch. Good to see him trusted with ore minutes on the pitch. This is the only way the young players learn. It will be a great feeling for him to take part in this new era of football at United.
Goals: Nemanja Matic 28′, Paul Pogba 64′, 78′; Zanka 88′
Assists: Ander Herrera 64′, Jesse Lingard 78′; Steve Mounie 88′
Manchester United: De Gea; Dalot (Young 54′), Lindelof, Jones, Shaw; Fred (Herrera 54′), Matic; Mata (Gomes 80′), Pogba, Lingard; Rashford
Substitutes Not Used: Romero; Bailly; Pereira, Fellaini
Bookings: Fred 30′; Elias Kachunga 22′
