FINALLY UNITED?
Man Utd player ratings: Rashford shows Lukaku won’t be missed, Maguire coasted through and Martial finally looks happy
MANCHESTER UNITED battered Chelsea 4-0 in their opening Premier League game of the season as Old Trafford was finally bouncing again.
The scoreline may have been a little unfair on Chelsea, who probably feel they could have been ahead at the break after hitting the woodwork twice.
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But United were simply ruthless in front of goal, with Marcus Rashford scoring twice and Anthony Martial and debut-boy Dan James also netting.
John Hutchinson checks out who impressed in the season opener.
David De Gea - 8
Was all at sea when Abraham smacked a post early on, and in the 39th minute when Emerson crashed an effort against the crossbar.
Showed his reflexes to beat away a Barkley effort too, and firm hands deflected away Emerson's 54th minute thunderbolt.
Not many would argue for United's captain for the day.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 9
Was United's best player in the first half, winning tackles all over the pitch and not just on his right-hand flank.
Could he be a future defensive midfield lynchpin? United don't have one good enough currently so it could be an option.
Made the most tackles of any player.
Harry Maguire - 9
Impressive first half stats from the world's most expensive defender with the most tackles won, passes made and headed clearances.
Also had to cover his mate Shaw a fair few times, something new Sky Sports pundit Jose Mourinho spotted too.
Dealt with Abraham, he went off for Giroud, and the Frenchman was dealt with too. Leadership performance.
Victor Lindelöf - 7
Tasked as been the man at the back who can play out and ping the passes forward.
Didn't see much of that, but was comfortable as they can be with the Blues going with just one up top with Abraham, and then Giroud.
Luke Shaw - 7
This HAS to be the season where Shaw shows all the promise that made football fans believe he is England's left-back for years to come.
His positioning needs some work, but at least he appears to be fitter this season.
Scott McTominay - 8
After a fine pre-season, it was no surprise to see the Scot start in central midfield.
The 22-year-old even bossed the team huddle after Rashford put the hosts 3-0 up. Future captain?
Paul Pogba - 8
Looks like he's been told to stop the flicks and tricks, and showed much more discipline out there.
But you can't deny it affects his ability to be a gamechanger - how Solskjaer can best use him could be crucial to United's season.
His ball through for Rashford for the third was simply sublime. Seemed to listen more to team-mates and instructions from the sideliness. Encouraging.
Jesse Lingard - 7
Some might have expected Lingard to start on the bench, but he was trusted from the off.
Looked as lively as he does, but you wonder whether he'd be anywhere near the starting XI if Bruno Fernandes or Christian Eriksen had signed.
But he put in a shift that showed Solskjaer he is not ready to call time on his United career just yet.
Andreas Pereira - 7
One of the more surprising starters, but being one of the best players during pre-season swung Solskjaer's mind.
Likely to be used a lot this season due to his mobility as a central midfielder - something the likes of Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata can't offer.
Marcus Rashford - 9
Won and then scored the penalty, his inter-changing with Anthony Martial gives the team a real advantage.
You wouldn't bet upon the England man scoring more than the 10 he bagged last season - and he is already showing he can handle the pressure aged just 21.
His finish for the second and United's third was calmness personified.
Anthony Martial - 8
Always on the move and always wanting the ball - not something you might have said before.
Swapping around with Rashford and Lingard meant Chelsea full-backs Emerson and Azpiliculeta had their hands full.
Staked his claims for the central striking role with a poacher's effort to put United 2-0 up.
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Subs
Dan James - 8
Introduced on 73 minutes, the former Swansea man was greeted with huge cheers from a delirious Old Trafford crowd with their team 3-0 up.
And those cheers got even louder when he was played through late on by Pogba, and his deflected effort at goal looped in. Stuff of dreams.
Juan Mata - 6
Many were surprised that Mata stuck around this summer when it was obvious he wouldn't be a regular.
But his experience is key in such a young team. He showed it just for the eight or so minutes he was on by keeping tidy possession.
Mason Greenwood - 6
Aged just 17, this season is all about learning for the striker talent.
In Rashford he has the perfect role model, and there are already similarities between the two.
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