Manchester United opened their Premier League season with a 2-1 victory over Leicester City on Friday night.
This was a perfect way for Jose Mourinho’s side to put their frustrations behind them, after a rather below-par summer transfer window.
The Red Devils had been hoping to bolster their side to potentially reduce the gap in quality between them and their city rivals, Manchester City. However, they only ended up signing Diego Dalot, Lee Grant and Fred.
Out of all three new signings, Fred is the only one who is expected to play a prominent role within the first-team this season.
Most pundits do not believe that Mourinho’s charges have enough quality to win the League this season, or compete with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool. Some have even predicted that Mourinho will part ways with the club at some point this season, especially as the self-proclaimed ”special one” does not have a good track record in terms of remaining at a club for more than three seasons. He is now entering his third season in charge of the club.
The win against Leicester, however, did prove that United have a fighting spirit which can cause them to exceed expectations this season. Paul Pogba opened the scoring during the third minute from the penalty spot.
After the penalty was awarded, the French international appeared to be having a few words with his Chilean team-mate Alexis Sanchez over who would take the penalty.
This did nothing to end the myth that there are team chemistry issues and disunity within the United first-team.
Pogba, who was United’s captain in the absence of Antonio Valencia, has since spoken out on the incident. He said that the club does not have a designated penalty taker and added that he is prepared to allow Sanchez to take the next one.
While speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Pogba said: “We don’t really have one [a designated penalty taker]. The manager has names but after, it’s how we feel.
“I decided to take it, I was one of the names and in the next game, I can leave it to Alexis, it’s not a problem. It is just the win that is the most important.”
Luke Shaw went on to add a second for United late on during the second half. Jamie Vardy managed to pull one back for the Foxes during second-half stoppage time.
