United 2 - 0 Southampton

DDG

Valencia Bailly Blind Shaw

Pogba Fellaini

Mata(Mhiki) Rooney(Smalling) Martial(Herrera)

Ibrahimovic

What a header by Ibra! Photo: Reuters

Effective and efficient. Those are two words that can describe today's performance. Effective because our players put Southampton to the sword when it mattered. Efficient because our players hardly had to break a sweat to do so. Southampton completed more passes and had more attempts than United but rarely troubled our goalie. Their strikers were much more involved in the game than Ibrahimovic but our striker got two goals. I guess that's what you get with world-class players. Ibra's first goal was excellent. We haven't had such a good header of the ball since Cristiano left to Madrid.

This was in no way a polished performance. There are players who are still getting into shape and they will no doubt improve our team. Martial got a right bollocking from Mourinho during a poor first display from the Frenchman. He improved during the second half but should have probably had a goal to his name. Just like he improved throughout the game, I expect him to improve to top shape by September. Pogba did plenty to whet our appetite. He started the game slowly but grew into it. He showed flashes of brilliance and I absolutely can't wait to see him when he's 100% fit. Once these two Frenchmen kick into gear, we'll be hard to stop. Pogba is world-class. Martial will get there too. 

Our other players seem to be in good shape. Our back-four barely put a foot wrong. Shaw was excellent and was probably more threatening on the left flank than Martial. After a poor first season and last season's leg break, he looks like he's raring to go to make up for time lost. Just like Martial, this guy will be world-class when he's fully blossomed into the left-back everyone expects him to be. Blind was his usual intelligent self, reading the game superbly and leaving the physical side of it to the impressive Bailly. Bailly's speed is incredible. Valencia looks like a new player. Darmian won't get in this team if our Antonio keeps playing like he is. Our defence was so good that our goalie was only called into action once. 

Fellaini did what he had to do without any fanfare. He's giving the people who love to slate him absolutely no reason to do so. Twitter's quiet when Fellaini has a good game. Hah! Rooney improved on his Bournemouth performance but he still gave the ball away carelessly a few times. Same can be said for Mata. The Spaniard tried hard but fell short. Rooney won't lose his place but Mata will eventually to Mhiki who showed some fine touches when he came on. 

Pleased. Some of our football was exciting and it's even more exciting to know that this team WILL improve. We've already won 6 points in fixtures were we got zilch last season. Our downfall under LVG was that we dropped too many points against teams we should be beating. I expect another three points against Hull next week.

What's most pleasing is the feel good factor that has returned to Old Trafford. We've got some exciting talent in this squad which can get us to places. Our players look thrilled to be wearing the red of United and that's the way it should be. Did you see Pogba's smile and then looking to the heavens when he stepped on Old Trafford's hallowed turf? There also seems to be a very good team spirit....just look at the players celebrating Ibrahimovic's first and for further proof watch the Ibrahimovic and Pogba post-match interview. Brilliant. This feels like the old United.