Five-star United kick off shackles
John Cross
IT TOOK just 90 minutes for Manchester United to return to the glory days.
They scored five goals in a Premier League match for the first time since
Sir Alex Ferguson’s last game in charge in May 2013 – and it was a throwback to Manchester United’s swashbuckling past.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did in his first game in charge what Jose Mourinho could not manage in his two and a half years and that was to get United fans back up off their seats and singing again.
Gone was the doom and gloom from the Mourinho era and suddenly the team were playing with a freedom and style that had been missing for months.
It was as if a giant cloud had been lifted and, as fairy tales go, they do not get much better because here was a United great writing another chapter into club legend.
Solskjaer did all his best work as a United player from the bench and now he is doing exactly the same as manager. The team are all about flair, goals and excitement and now they have a man back in charge who understands the club’s DNA.
Yesterday the shackles were off and they were passing, moving and scoring wonderful goals.
Marcus Rashford’s opener was a sensational swerving free-kick, Ander Herrera’s shot was deflected into the top corner and then Anthony Martial scored a fabulous third. Jesse Lingard capped a dazzling display with two goals for himself.
Louder
They are players who suffered under Mourinho but now they are enjoying themselves again.
It was no wonder the travelling United fans sang about club legends and none were louder than their one for Solskjaer.
It does not reflect 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.
Martial was a constant threat, Rashford full of pace and Luke Shaw was even making brave defensive headers. It was remarkable to see a group of players completely transformed by the passion, smile and positivity of a new voice.
Cardiff fans were probably watching in utter disbelief. Solskjaer, after all, had a disastrous spell in charge as he took their club down in 2014 when they were relegated from the Premier League.
But now he has been reborn as some sort of managerial genius. His side took Cardiff apart and Neil Warnock’s men simply had no answer. Their grit, determination and workrate were no match for United’s extra class.
It took United three minutes to go ahead when Aron Gunnarsson fouled Paul Pogba 25 yards out. Rashford took the free-kick, caught it sweetly and menacingly as he made it swerve just outside the wall and wrong-foot Cardiff keeper Neil Etheridge.
Pogba set up the second after 29 minutes. His pass found Herrera, whose fierce drive deflected up off Greg Cunningham and into the top corner.
If Solskjaer’s first celebration was a little understated, this was reminiscent of his playing days. He leaned back, fists clenched and screamed with joy.
Cardiff had a brief glimmer of hope in the 38th minute when Rashford clumsily controlled the ball as he tried to run to safety. Referee Michael Oliver deemed it was 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 pass and Martial buried his low shot.
United got a fourth after 56 minutes. Lingard made a driving run into the box, Cardiff’s defence got in a tangle and eventually Sol Bamba tripped him. Lingard stepped up to convert the penalty.
They were not done as Pogba played in Lingard to slot home before celebrating in front of the jubilant away end.