HIGH-FIVE HIT
FROM THE CARDIFF CITY STADIUM
entirely well on some players, who clearly had given up on Mourinho and yet were suddenly turning on the style for Solskjaer.
But this was also playing to the manager’s instructions as he had encouraged them to go forward, entertain and attack in the club’s best traditions.
United set up to entertain rather than frustrate and Martial was a constant threat, Rashford full of pace and Luke Shaw was even making brave defensive headers.
It was nothing short of remarkable to see the same group of players suddenly transformed by the passion, smile and positivity of a new voice. Cardiff fans were probably watching on in utter disbelief as Solskjaer, after all, had a disastrous spell in charge as he took the Welsh club down in 2014 when they were relegated from the Premier League.
But now Solskjaer has been reborn as some sort of managerial genius, taking Cardiff apart as Neil Warnock’s men simply had no answer. Their grit, determination and work rate was no match for United’s extra class.
It took United just three minutes to go ahead when Aron Gunnarsson fouled Paul Pogba just over 25 yards out.
Rashford took the freekick, caught it sweetly s he somehow made it swerve just outside the wall and leave Cardiff keeper Neil Etheridge wrong-footed.
Pogba, arch dressingroom villain of Mourinho’s reign, was involved in the second goal after 29 minutes as his pass found Herrera and his fierce drive deflected up off defender Greg Cunningham and into the top corner.
If Solskjaer’s first celebration was a little understated, this was reminiscent of his playing days when he was United’s supersub hero.
He leaned back, fists clenched, and screamed out in joy. Cardiff had a brief glimmer of hope after 38 minutes when Rashford clumsily controlled the ball as he tried to run to safety.
Referee Michael Oliver deemed he had controlled it with his arm and Victor Camarasa smashed home the penalty.
But in United’s best traditions, they just went forward and scored another three minutes later. Martial raced forward on the edge of the box, Pogba was involved, Jesse Lingard then played a perfect return and Martial (right) buried a low shot into the corner.
Spectacular goals and now one all about pass and move. United got a fourth after 56 minutes. Lingard made a driving run into the box, Cardiff ’s defence got all tangled up and Sol Bamba tripped him.
Lingard stepped up to convert the penalty to make it four. Then Pogba played in Lingard in the 90th minute, he rounded the keeper and slotted home.
Warnock said: “United took their goals well, but you can’t tell me they were unbelievable. “He (Solskjaer) will be disappointed they didn’t score eight.
“Our defending was terrible and United will have sterner tests.” YOUNG LINDELOF JONES RATINGS SHAW Booked HERRERA MATIC POGBA LINGARD RASHFORD MARTIAL