A Romelu Lukaku brace on his Premier League debut for Manchester United helped us ease to a 4-0 victory in our opening game of the 2017-18 season.
Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba added goals late on and we had numerous chances to have score more, whilst West Ham never offered much of a threat to David de Gea’s goal. We end the opening weekend top of the Premier League.
Here is how our team did:
David de Gea 7
Made one standard save from Edimilson Fernandes’ 20-yard blast straight down the middle in first-half stoppage time. Otherwise, a comfortable afternoon for Dave.
Antonio Valencia 8
Kept Marko Arnautonic quiet down the right-hand side whilst also offered width going forward. Antonio Valencia picked up a yellow card for one too many fouls.
Eric Bailly 8
Javier Hernandez was kept under wraps on his return to Old Trafford as Eric Bailly and co were solid at the back today.
Phil Jones 9
A rock at the back today, Phil Jones was strong in a few challenges and made a number of clearances to clear any danger that the Hammers threatened to offer. Proved Jose Mourinho right to select him ahead of Chris Smalling today.
Daley Blind 8
Barely allowed Andre Ayew a touch of the ball and ventured forward on a number of occasions. Daley Blind had a few efforts on target but failed to test Joe Hart.
Nemanja Matic 9
A man of the match candidate on his Premier League debut for Manchester United. Chelsea could have done with him yesterday but he’s ours now. Nemanja Matic was key in our first goal by blocking Pedro Obiang’s attempted pass to set Marcus Rashford away. He was excellent at breaking up possession and controlling the game from the middle of the park,
Paul Pogba 10
An excellent performance in the centre of midfield as Paul Pogba showed some great touches and turns, dribbling the ball forward into West Ham’s half and final third time and time again before putting the icing on the cake with a fine goal in the final minute to make it 4-0. This was Pogba’s best performance in a United shirt to date.
Juan Mata 8
Played some excellent passes and created a couple of chances. Came close to setting up an opener for Romelu Lukaku early on after bringing the ball down on the byline with Joe Hart stranded.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan 9
Ripped the West Ham defence open with some delightful passes. Provided the cross from a free kick for Romelu Lukaku’s second goal.
Marcus Rashford 9
Absolutely terrorised Pablo Zabaleta down the left wing for the the 79 minutes he was on the pitch. A well-weighted through ball to set up Romelu Lukaku’s opener. Hit the post himself and was all around unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. Won the free kick which led to our second.
Romelu Lukaku 9
Two shots on target and two goals. Our £75 million summer signing produced a fine, powerful finish at Joe Hart’s near post in the first half before a free header from a free kick following bad marking from Arthur Masuako. Had a couple of half chances to grab a third, the most notable of those beyond a powerful right-footed effort which was blocked.
Substitutes
Marouane Fellaini 6
Brought on at 2-0 for the final quarter-of-an-hour to make sure West Ham didn’t get back in the game.
Anthony Martial 7
Only on the pitch for 11 minutes but was enough time for Anthony Martial to score.
Jesse Lingard N/A
Jesse was only given a very late run out.
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