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At long last, the Premier League returned on Friday evening, when Manchester United welcomed Leicester City to Old Trafford for the inaugural fixture of the English Premier League. The wait was less tedious than usual with the World Cup stealing most of the break, but it's exciting to see weekly games back on our screens.
Onto the action on the pitch, Paul Pogba opened the scoring with a penalty kick after a rapid start by United, before the pace of the game diminished as Mourinho's side sat back, which allowed Leicester to dictate play. The game, however, found life again in the final ten minutes when Luke Shaw found himself in the Leicester box and expertly finished to claim his first senior goal.
During injury time, Jamie Vardy took advantage of a breakdown in communication between De Gea and Bailly to nod in and cause concern in the last minute for United, but the Red Devils held on to open the season with a 2-1 victory.
Here are some things we can take away from the game.
#1 A disciplined Pogba leads United
Pogba returned to training in Manchester last Monday, following an extended break due to a successful World Cup tournament with France. After confirming his fitness to Mourinho, he was handed the captain's armband and relished the pressure that comes with. From the off, his passing range was a catalyst of United's attacks, and he also converted an early penalty.
But that wasn't the most surprising aspect of his performance. Pogba was mature throughout and showed his talent without holding the ball too long, moving it quickly and getting forward with supporting runs. The Frenchman also protected his own net impressively, particularly when Leicester swung balls into the box.
Even when not fully sharp, he showed he can be the main figure of the team and must replicate this on a weekly basis as his individual game is so influential to the way United play.
#2 Gray and Maddison can ease the pain of losing Mahrez
Two of Leicester's midfield playmakers, including summer signing from Norwich. James Maddison, and Demarai Gray, were ever-presents in possession, threatening De Gea and supplying Iheanacho well throughout the game.
Gray was a major threat down the left, beating his defender almost every time, and was even willing to run the opposite way and protect his backline.
Maddison popped up in all attacking areas, as you'd want from a Premier League No. 10, and was also in the right place at the right time to force De Gea to act quickly.
After Riyad Mahrez finally got his wish to leave, joining Manchester City, worried Foxes fans were unsure of how they would cope, but in Gray and Maddison, there is plenty of energy and life in the Leicester midfield.
#3 Contrasting performances by the full-backs
As mentioned, Luke Shaw scored what was effectively the winning goal, collecting Juan Mata's pass and, with a stroke of luck to get behind the defender, firing a low shot to beat Schmeichel. It capped a promising performance by the previously criticised defender, who also picked up broadcaster Sky's Man of the Match award.
The Englishman is at his best when afforded opportunities in attack, as shown by his goal and his completion of 12 passes in the final third, was more than any other player.
On the opposite flank though, Matteo Darmian was a frustrating figure as he covered for the injured Antonio Valencia. Cleary low in confidence, the Italian struggled to cope with the nimble feet of Demarai Gray, whilst also lacking the quality to support Juan Mata on the right-side of the attack.
#4 Bailly and Lindelof the best options for Mourinho
After a frustrating transfer window for Jose Mourinho, leaving him without his desired centre-back, he opted to begin with Bailly and Lindelof in front of De Gea, a new partnership which paid off. The duo completed 100% of their tackles, with both also comfortable on the ball.
Bailly highlighted his strengths with a couple of tough but fair challenges, whereas Lindelof was calmer in his approach.
