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Manchester United returned to Premier League action following the international break and beat Swansea City fairly comfortably at Old Trafford. The free-flowing, attacking performance against the Welsh side reminded fans of United's early season endeavours when they regularly scored three or more goals a game.
It was a convincing victory for Jose Mourinho's side and the first 45 minutes gave fans plenty of reasons to be confident ahead of the huge derby game against Manchester City next weekend. But as exciting and quick as the first half was United lacked intensity in the second half and fans were frustrated as United took their foot off the gas.
With the huge game against Manchester City looming next week, here are the key takeaways for Manchester United after their win against Swansea.
#3 Jesse Lingard cementing his place as a number 10
After two impressive performances for England and effectively booking his place on the plane to the World Cup, Lingard further strengthened his case at No.10 against Swansea. The 25-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable season for club and country and deserves further recognition.
Lingard has led the way as one of few players to have really improved under the Portuguese. Since breaking into United’s first-team, he’s been nominally used as a winger, but that has since changed, and the 25-year-old is flourishing in his new role.
Lingard found plenty of space and had a big hand in both of United's goals with two composed passes. As Sir Alex Ferguson boldly predicted of the youngster 'built like Jean Tigana', he is coming into his own in his mid-20s. The Warrington lad is the club's most improved player this season.
He has registered 13 goals, more than doubling his previous best effort of six in 40 matches across the 2015/16 season, which came under former boss Louis van Gaal, who gave Lingard his debut match.
A year ago, some fans questioned United's decision to hand Lingard a new deal worth a reported £100,000-a-week, that now looks a bargain and has done for some time.
#2 Mourinho finally solves the attacking dilemma
There was nothing boring about Manchester United in their first-half against Swansea. They exhibited a performance which was regular in that auspicious August.
Paul Pogba enjoyed his most vibrant performance since the arrival of Alexis Sanchez who himself flourished in this game. Sanchez capped an impressive start by sweeping in his second United goal in the 20th minute after laying an assist for Romelu Lukaku who scored his 100th Premier League goal.
This was another example of United playing at their most fluid football with only one of Sanchez, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial in the side. Jose Mourinho this week refuted claims he would need to buy a striker during the summer transfer window. Conveniently, Mourinho now identifies Rashford as a centre-forward.
Since signing from Arsenal in January, Alexis has struggled for consistency in Manchester United shirt but it seems Jose Mourinho has finally found a system for the Chilean to thrive in.
#1 Micheal Carrick's coaching debut
With news of his impending retirement already known, Manchester United's Michael Carrick was given a glimpse of life post-professional football as Swansea visited Old Trafford this afternoon.
Carrick was one of the first off the team bus when it pulled in at Old Trafford ahead of kick-off and while the United skipper took his place on the bench, he was tasked with an unfamiliar role as a coach.
The English midfielder enjoyed an incredibly illustrious career after leaving Tottenham Hotspur for United in 2006. Along with the five Premier League winners' medals, Carrick is an FA Cup winner, a three-time League Cup winner, a Champions League and Europa League winner.
"He is learning, not the football of course, but the other side of the life and I think it’s a good experience for him until the end of the season," said Mourinho ahead of kick-off.
It is clear Mourinho values his unrivalled experience as a five-time title winner and one of the few remaining links to the Sir Alex Ferguson's era.
