MANCHESTER: Zlatan Ibrahimovic struck twice and Paul Pogba, the world's most expensive player, shone on his return as Manchester United beat Southampton 2-0 on Friday to make it two wins from two Premier League games.
Ibrahimovic, playing his first home game for the club since leaving Paris St Germain in the close season, opened the scoring in the 36th minute when he produced a towering leap to power a header into the net from a cross by Wayne Rooney.
The 34-year-old Swede added a second from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute after substitute Jordy Clasie fouled defender Luke Shaw as he drove into the box.
It was Ibrahimovic's third goal in two league games and guaranteed maximum points for manager Jose Mourinho on his first appearance in the home dugout.
"We were good enough to deserve the victory and be in control," said Mourinho. "We won comfortably and the result could have been bigger."
"We are becoming better and better," added Ibrahimovic. "It's a good start. We need to get used to winning."
Frenchman Pogba, back at his first club after being signed from Juventus for a fee of 89 million pounds ($116.35 million), demonstrated his class with a dynamic midfield display, dribbling with strength and combining well with Ibrahimovic and Rooney.
"Pogba was so good," Mourinho said after United followed up their season-opening win at Bournemouth last week with another league triumph.
"He needs the freedom he had. I couldn't be happier with him."
Comments
Comments are closed.