Romelu Lukaku scored twice on debut and Paul Pogba capped an ominous team display with a late long-range goal as Manchester United beat West Ham 4-0 in their opening game of the Premier League season.
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| Lukaku celebrates his first goal with teammates |
With Nemanja Matic excelling in central midfield, United looks to have a side that can seriously challenge for its first league title since 2013, Alex Ferguson's final year at the club.
Lukaku finished off a quick counterattack, sparked by Matic's closing-down of an opponent in the centre circle, to put United ahead in the 33rd minute. He added a second with a header from Henrikh Mkhitaryan's free-kick in the 52nd.
Substitute Anthony Martial ran onto Mkhitaryan's through-ball to slot home a third goal in the 87th and Pogba was given space to curl in from 25 metres in injury time.
Lukaku called his club debut for the Red Devils a '"dream come true," while manager Jose Mourinho felt it was the perfect way to get his new star striker confident for the season ahead.
"It's always important," Mourinho said.
"New players in new clubs, new strikers, everyone expects goals from them.
With the brace, Romelu Lukaku has started to pay off his huge transfer fee at Manchester United.
The £75million summer signing struck in each half as United justified pre-season optimism with a sparkling and confident display at Old Trafford.
The Hammers were completely outplayed and could easily have trailed by more goals before substitute Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba finally put a more realistic slant on the scoreline in the closing minutes.
Nemanja Matic
The Serbian is already the darling of the Old Trafford crowd after a wonderful display.
He bossed the midfield from start to finish. But United fans and Jose Mourinho will be more impressed with his role in setting up the opening goal.
Paul Pogba
PAUL POGBA may have had an up and down first season back at Manchester United, but he certainly started this campaign on form. The £89million man helped Manchester United beat the West Ham 4-0 at Old Trafford this afternoon, with two goals from new signing Romelu Lukaku and one each from Anthony Martial and Pogba.
Critics believe the arrival of Matic will free up Pogba to truly express himself.
But it was more of last season's Pogba that played against West Ham at times with some careless passing. The Frenchman did grow into the game and his goal at the end capped a fine day for United.
Romelu Lukaku
11 goals in 13 games. Lukaku just loves playing against West Ham.
The Belgian wasn't involved much in open play but presented with two chances, he made no mistake. Ruthless.
Victor Lindelof
The Swedish summer signing from Benfica has played a prominent role for United during pre-season. So his absence from the squad was a major surprise even when you consider his shaky displays. Perhaps Mourinho is attempting to send him a message by the omission.
West Ham woe
Slaven Bilic was already a man under major pressure and his side's defeat will have done little to alleviate that. West Ham's four big signings all played and failed to really impress. Bilic will be desperate for a result against Southampton next weekend.
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