Premier League
Five Star Manchester United Defeat Cardiff
New Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer got off to the perfect start as United thrashed Cardiff.
Goals from Marcus Rashford, Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial and two from Jesse Lingard helped secure all three points.
The victory moves United back up to sixth place in the Premier League and they are now eight points off the top four.
It was not only the scoreline but the performance which will please Manchester United fans the most.
United played some fantastic attacking football, in particular the goal from Anthony Martial, which came after a free flowing one touch move.
It was the first time Manchester United have scored five in the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson’s last Premier League game against West Brom in 2012.
Cardiff were outplayed throughout but do still remain outside of the relegation zone.
Ole Football From Manchester United
New Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer couldn’t have wished for a better start, as United took the lead after just three minutes.
Marcus Rashford hit a free kick from 25-yards out which arrowed into the bottom corner of the net.
United were on the front foot early on and were passing more quickly and looked more fluid going forward than they ever did under Jose Mourinho.
Just before the half hour, Manchester United doubled their lead.
Paul Pogba laid the ball off to Ander Herrera, the Spaniard then unleashed a shot from 25-yards out.
His strike took a slight nick off Cardiff defender Greg Cunningham, which was enough for the ball to loop over Etheridge in the Cardiff goal.
Cardiff were struggling to create any chances and test David De Gea in the United goal.
On 36 minutes, Cardiff were given a lifeline out of the blue.
Marcus Rashford was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area, referee Michael Oliver had no hesitation but to point to the spot.
Up stepped Victor Camarasa who smashed the ball into the top corner of the net.
Just four minutes later, Manchester United restored their two goal cushion following a brilliant free flowing one touch move.
Anthony Martial played it to Paul Pogba, he laid it off to Jesse Lingard who quickly set Martial in on goal and the Frenchman then slid the ball into the net.
Overall it was a terrific first half display from Manchester United.
No Let Up From United
United started the second half on the front foot.
On 55 minutes, they had the chance to increase their lead.
Jesse Lingard was brought down in the penalty area by Sol Bamba, the referee immediately pointed to the spot.
Lingard dusted himself down and took the spot kick, sending the keeper the wrong way.
Manchester United almost made it five just past the hour mark.
Victor Lindelof drove forward from the back and played a brilliant through pass to set Marcus Rashford in on goal.
However, the Englishman dragged his shot just wide of goal.
A minute later, Cardiff almost pulled a goal back. Josh Murphy curled a shot from just inside the penalty box, which was well parried away by De Gea.
United made it five late on. A neat through ball from Paul Pogba set Jesse Lingard in on goal.
The Englishman coolly rounded the Cardiff keeper and slotted the ball into the net.
Dream Start For Solskjaer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer couldn’t have wished for a better start to life as Manchester United boss.
The Norwegian may have the United job on a temporary basis.
However, if he delivers more performances like this one, he could be in with a shout of getting the job on a permament basis.
The players were allowed to express themselves, the passing was sharper, quicker and the front three was more fluid.
Manchester United fans have demanded that their team play attacking football, ‘the United way.’
This was the first step in getting back to that style of play and many United fans will be encouraged with what they saw.
It will be interesting to see if they play as attacking against the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.
But this was a solid foundation to build upon.
Tough Day For Cardiff
It was a tough day at the office for Cardiff. The Welsh side were completely outplayed and struggled to create chances.
They had a lifeline from the penalty spot midway through the first half.
However, in truth they never looked like getting anything from this game.
Cardiff will also be ruining the timing of this game against a side who were looking to impress their new manager.
It is a tough festive period for the Bluebirds, with games away to Crystal Palace and Leicester to come and a home game against Tottenham.
Cardiff boss Neil Warnock will be hoping his side can take something from those games, as they look to stay out of the relegation zone.
Next up for Manchester United is Huddersfield at home.
Photo credit to Donald Trump via Flickr
