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.
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′