Manchester United made it two from two in the Premier League and José Mourinho made it three from three overall with a clinical 2-0 win over Southampton in the first edition of Friday night football this season. Old Trafford’s atmosphere was one transformed, as Mourinho got the response he wanted from a crowd he provoked into action midweek.

The return of prodigal son Paul Pogba coincided with the home debuts of Mourinho, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and they were a rousing success. The team was strong defensively which provided the platform for a solid home victory. Ibrahimović towered over United target Jose Fonte after Wayne Rooney put in a good cross to make it 1-0 with a powerfully placed header, then made it two in the second half when Luke Shaw was brought down by Jordy Clasie.

It was a promising and somewhat efficient win for the Red Devils as they had only 43 percent possession and Southampton registered more shots even if most of them were more hopeful than realistic. Fans will be salivating after a second half performance displayed some of the potential this new Mourinho led side has.

Paul Pogba Makes His Bow

It is official, Pogback. The Frenchman played the full 90 minutes and made his presence felt. After a few perhaps nervy touches that rival fans jumped all over, Pogba settled into the game and made a somewhat instant impact. He completed 8 of 12 take ons, 5 more than any other player on the pitch.

The world record signing also led all players in interceptions, ball recoveries and chances created, as he displayed his wide array of skills. “Phenomenal” his manager said after the game, as Mourinho also said he did not give Pogba any specific instructions but simply just to “play”.

Pogba did exactly that, his deep driving runs from midfield through defenders were of high difficulty but he made it look easy. His strength on the ball was something to see as he was able to hold off players with ease. His first shot on goal 9 minutes in had hundreds of millions of Reds fans praying it would go in, and he sliced a shot late into the game that gave him a chance to get off the mark.

The most promising part of his performance however? It was his first game, with barely over a week of full training and no preseason at all under his belt. The best is certainly yet to come.

Efficient Display Hints At Team Potential

It was a slow start once again from United, as similar to the Bournemouth game the team struggled for flow early as their opponents looked to sit deep and attack on the counter when the ball was won. Chances were hard to come by, as the team appeared to be not only shaking off rust but nerves to as the occasion slightly unsettled them.

Ibrahimović’s header took the pressure off going into the second half, and the team were able to play more freely as Southampton were forced to go searching more desperately for an equaliser. Unfortunately with the departures of Sadio Mané and Graziano Pellè the Saints have lost some of their attacking inpetus, and Claude Puel will need to address that sooner or later if they want to come close to last season’s 6th place finish.

Their hosts though did not seem to have that problem once they had opened the scoring. There was a 15 minute period in the second half where chances on goal came in the bucket load. The United attackers were unplayable, with Pogba coming from deep, Anthony Martial cutting in from wide and Ibrahimović at the heart of everything. It was a teaser for the future as the team slowly starts to gel, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan still to enter the fray.

Martial A Tad Off The Pace

Anthony Martial did provide two assists last week, but his performance wasn’t ideal compared to the high standards he set last season. It was the same against Southampton, as he appeared to be very lackadaisical at times. In the second half he appeared bright on the ball, but particularly in the first half he was not making runs or supporting attacks off the ball.

In the first half Luke Shaw and Martial were not providing as much on the left as Antonio Valencia and Juan Mata were a much better attacking outlet on the right side. Shaw was letting his man inside of him and Martial was slightly out of touch.

This is understandable however. The transition compared to what was around the French youngster last season will be somewhat overwhelming for the player even if he is being relied on less, as well as adjusting to the different tactical needs of his new manager. The turbulent couple of weeks in his personal life have taken a toll however, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Martial perhaps not start the next weekend against Hull City.

The Fellaini Revival Continues

Once the red side of Manchester’s most hated man, Marouane Fellaini continued his impressive form in defensive midfield. Ander Herrera was the man to make way for Paul Pogba and the Belgian retained his place, and his manager’s selection decision was proved to be valid.

Fellaini screened the defence with ease, covering angles impressively and breaking up play on several occasions. His passing was simple, and it appears Mourinho has given him a simple directive; protect the defence, win the ball and move it quickly to more creative teammates. That’s exactly what he did, and has retained 94 percent passing success through the first two games only misplacing seven passes in that time.

Mourinho revealed post match that he worked to restore the player’s confidence after his announcement as manager, when he was asked what had changed with the player:

“Maybe a simple phone call can make a difference. The player that was feeling not loved, a player that was feeling when the market opened, everybody was saying he was leaving, everybody was writing was not the player for me, he was on the move, maybe a simple phone call the day after my presentation changed a lot.

“Because I told him just simply, ‘Forget everything you read, forget everything, with me you don’t leave for sure.’ Maybe that word of confidence – unexpected for him – maybe changed and I think the more organised the team played the easier for the players to feel confident. He’s played well with Carrick, he played well with Herrera, he played well with Paul, I think he’s full of confidence.”

It appears those words have made a big effect on Fellaini, and he’s playing like a man who has belief in himself knowing his manager does too. This could be the beginning of a stunning turn around for a player who represented turbulent David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal eras at Old Trafford.

Zlatan Does It Again

The sensational Swede could not simply leave it at scoring on his competitive debut in the Community Shield, last weekend in his Premier League debut and then against Southampton on his Old Trafford debut. A stunningly powerful header got the better of Fraser Forster to win 1-0, when it appeared he was out of position and too far out to put it in the net.

Then when Shaw was fouled, it was not Wayne Rooney but Ibrahimović who stepped up, and he put it in the bottom left corner with ease to put United two ahead. It was almost typical that he would score at both ends to provide the home fans with the perfect entertainment.

Four goals in three games for the 34 year old who many said could not adjust to English football and was too old. It is early days, but he has already equalled Radamel Falcao’s goal tally in his entire Manchester United tenure. It’s August 19th. Ibrahimović now has 30 goals in his last 20 home games in domestic football, and he might just only be getting started.

The aura of Old Trafford and the club as a whole could be returning to England’s greatest club after a barren three year spell. The atmosphere inside the stadium was beyond electric and with the team still gelling on the pitch, not to mention players Henrikh Mkhitaryan still fighting their way into the first XI the best of the Mourinho era certainly lies ahead. A trip to Hull next Saturday awaits.