Manchester United 2-1 Sampdoria: 5 talking points

#5 Mkhitaryan and Rashford can provide much-needed goals in the coming months

Mkhitaryan started alongside Lukaku in 3-5-2

The headlines have been dominated by talk of Neymar’s ludicrous fee in his transfer to PSG, and although Manchester United have spent big themselves in recent times (Pogba, Lukaku etc) they should also be content in the knowledge that they have made some shrewd additions for relatively little money.

Rashford is United through and through – not only has he come through their system, but he is young, dedicated to the club and eager to play in roles that Mourinho deems fit; he is happy to do whatever benefits the team and doesn’t put himself first.

Against Sampdoria, he once more proved that he can play the lone-striker role with ease and he was unlucky not to grab a goal or two with the industry he displayed.

In the 69th minute, shortly after being introduced for Lukaku, he was cast in the role of lone frontman as he bore down on goal with the ball at his feet to win a free kick in a dangerous position, and he was also instrumental in feeding Martial to cross for Fellaini’s half-chance header in the 65th minute that drifted away from danger.

Rashford has been evolving ever since coming to the club and is as exciting to watch as he was when he first burst onto the scene.

Mkhitaryan, too, was in fine form took his goal well and looked lively throughout. If he maintains that sort of form and breeds consistency within himself, he could be set for a memorable season.