Mata seals win on Matic debut

AS ALL eyes focused on Nemanja Matic’s Manchester United debut, it was another former Chelsea man who claimed the win for Jose Mourinho. While £40million midfielder Matic completed his first half of football for the club, Juan Mata popped up late on to ensure victory. Matic slotted in seamlessly to a 3-4-2-1 system as United took the lead through a wonderful counter-attack — with Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian combining before Henrikh Mkhitaryan headed in. Sampdoria equalised but United hit back when Anthony Martial set up Mata to drill home the winner. Mourinho then defended Phil Jones — banned for two matches for verbally abusing a doping control officer after United’s Europa League victory in May. Mourinho said: ‘He wins a European cup, he wants to celebrate with his team. I think it’s very hard to control a player in this situation and UEFA should take that into consideration.’