Man Utd produce best showing since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, while Nemanja Matic looks a steal at £40m

Paul Pogba struck United's fourth against West Ham
Paul Pogba struck United's fourth against West Ham

United back to their swashbuckling best 

This was the best performance by Manchester United under Jose Mourinho. Actually, in terms of pure theatre and capturing the essence of what United teams should stand for, it was the best since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.

Attacking in waves at breakneck pace with a relentlessness that suffocates the opposition, this was a swashbuckling exhibition of football that showcased just how good they can be as an attacking unit when their expensive parts align so fluidly. West Ham United simply could not live with them and, in the end, were fortunate it was only 4-0. There were times last season when Manchester United dominated the lesser lights but could not score but even then they did not dominate and excite in anything like this way and, crucially, in Romelu Lukaku, they now have a striker who does not look like he is going to miss too often.

This was a dream home debut for United’s new No 9. Getting off to a good start invariably matters so much for big money signings these days and the Belgian was irresistible, announcing himself to a delirious Old Trafford by crashing a thundering strike in off a post to finish off a stunning move on the break. Then in the second half, Lukaku underlined his threat from set-pieces with a well-taken header. He could smell a hat-trick and the only disappointment was that it failed to materialise, with a good block from Pablo Zabaleta denying him a third goal.

Lukaku impressed on his debut with two goals, and could have had a hat-trick
Lukaku impressed on his debut with two goals, and could have had a hat-trick

Matic and Pogba … United’s new midfield axis

Ferguson once described Eric Cantona as the “can opener” for United back in the early 1990s and one has to wonder if Mourinho will come to apply a similar phrase to Nemanja Matic.

He might not offer the stardust of some signings but if this is the sort of liberating effect the Serbia midfielder has on Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford most notably, but also United’s other attacking players then he will become a most prized possession.

Antonio Conte, the Chelsea manager, will watch this dazzling 90 minutes and wonder how badly the champions have erred by selling the 29-year-old. On this evidence, and in a chaotic transfer market, £40 million looks a steal.

The tone was set when Matic chased down Pedro Obiang, forcing the West Ham midfielder into conceding possession and set Marcus Rashford tearing off upfield, the England striker slipping the deftest of passes into Lukaku to ram home. No wonder Mourinho talked so highly of Matic in the lead up to this game.

Matic formed a strong partnership with Pogba
Matic formed a strong partnership with Pogba

There were first rate performances over all the pitch from United. Mkhitaryan set up two goals and Rashford, whose pace and movement terrified West Ham throughout, did everything but score but the most obvious beneficiary of the poise and balance Matic has brought to United’s midfield was Pogba. The Frenchman bestrode the midfield like a colossus, puncturing West Ham’s defence time and again with an extraordinary array of passing before striding forward late on and dispatching a fine finish for the goal his efforts deserved.  

Listen to Total Football Podcast and James Ducker's verdict on United's win

Set piece shambles

West Ham can at least take some comfort in knowing that they are not the only team who have been hopelessly equipped to deal with set-pieces on the opening weekend.

Of the 25 goals scored on Friday and Saturday, 10 came from set-pieces, a whopping 40 per cent. Manchester United’s second goal here derived from a free-kick after Pablo Zabaleta had bundled over Rashford. The delivery from Henrikh Mkhitaryan may have been excellent and Lukaku nodded home like the born finisher he is but what were West Ham thinking assigning their 5ft 10 in left back, Arthur Masuaku, to mark the 6ft 3in Belgian when they had other players on the pitch far better placed to do so?

Some of the logic applied in defending set-pieces this weekend has defied all rational logic.

Lukaku was left unmarked to score his second
Lukaku was left unmarked to score his second

Man Utd fans revel in taunting Hart

There will be plenty of scrutiny on Joe Hart this season as he bids to resurrect his career at West Ham after being shipped out on loan by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City for the second successive season.

Hart would probably have picked an alternative venue than Old Trafford in which to make his Premier League debut for Slaven Bilic’s side had he been given the choice and it was no surprise to see Manchester United fans having a little fun at his expense.

Joe Hart endured a difficult debut
Joe Hart endured a difficult debut

“England’s No 2,” the Stretford End sang lustily at one point in the first half. Hart refused to let the goading affect his focus, though, and was quick off his line to block a shot from Juan Mata, although he may have quickly come to realise he could have his work cut out this season if West Ham continue to defend like this.

Lindelof dropped from United’s squad

When the team-sheets dropped and there was no sign of Victor Lindelof in Manchester United’s squad, the initial thought was that the Sweden centre-half had been a late withdrawal through injury but it transpired that he had simply been omitted from the 18.

As Henrikh Mkhitaryan will vouch after being frozen out in the early months of last season under Jose Mourinho despite his £26 million move from Borussia Dortmund, arriving at Old Trafford for big money does not guarantee you a starting place under this manager and Lindelof has paid the price for a poor pre-season that did little to justify the £30.7 million fee paid to Benfica.

Victor Lindelof was dropped from United's 18
Victor Lindelof was dropped from United's 18

It is very early days for Lindelof, of course, but the message from Mourinho was clear: the Swede must shape up if he is to hold down a place in the squad, let alone team alongside first choice centre-half Eric Bailly, who made a welcome return after his suspension for the European Super Cup defeat by Real Madrid on Tuesday.

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