Despite a summer of discontent, the Red Devils ended up with three points in their Premier League opener against Leicester
Paul Pogba and Luke Shaw inspired Manchester United to an opening-day victory as they ignored background noise and their deadline-day frustration to overcome Leicester.
Referee Andre Marriner pointed to the spot in the second minute with none of the hesitation shown in Pogba’s run up to the spot-kick. The shuffling approach may well become a meme, but a superb finish past Kasper Schmeichel justified it.
It wasn’t all one-way traffic and Leicester tested David De Gea on numerous occasions, but it was Shaw, who has endured such a rough ride from Mourinho, who was the unlikely hero.
With seven minutes remaining, he flicked the ball around Leicester debutant Ricardo Pereira before sending a low left-footed strike home in front of a rocking Stretford End.
Jamie Vardy pulled one back in stoppage time after Pereira’s cross came back off the post, and despite plenty of late pressure, United held on to seal a vital three points.
Star man
The £52m summer signing looked like a man who had been playing at Old Trafford for years. Pogba and Shaw were excellent, but this was Fred’s Premier League debut and he looked totally at ease.
Click here for talkSPORT.com’s full scout report.
Moment of the match
Shaw has waited a long time for that moment. Scoring your first senior goal in front of the Old Trafford faithful, after all that he has been through at United, was a real moment to savour.
Click here to see how United fans reacted to the strike.
