'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Arguably the toughest, and undoubtedly the most viewed league on the planet kicked off with a clash between two former champions, as 20 time winners Manchester United took on 2015-16 winners Leicester City.
The Red Devils emerged victorious after a feisty encounter which saw them defeat The Foxes 2-1 at Old Trafford, courtesy goals from 2018 FIFA World Cup winner Paul Pogba and left-back Luke Shaw.
There were plenty of conclusions to draw from Manchester United's league opener. They took the lead early in the third minute via Pogba's penalty, but then couldn't maintain their grasp on the game, and allowed Leicester to dictate the play, although they never looked like scoring.
Trending
This typical Mourinho approach has been criticized time and again by fans and pundits alike as United have allowed the opponent to take control after taking the lead, even at home. This doesn't go down well with United fans who were accustomed to see their team dominate during Ferguson's era.
It has been 5 years now since United's last title, desperation is now growing among the fans, and the pressure is now on Mourinho to deliver the title at Old Trafford. The new season starts with renewed hopes, and we are now in a position to analyze the result of their first game, as well as draw conclusions from this match which can go on to shape the season.
#5 Lindelof and Bailly partnership
These two center backs were signed by Mourinho himself, and he finally gave a league start to the pair together for the first time, and the partnership proved to be quite successful as they kept Leicester's pacy attack at bay for much of the match, aside the singular lapse in concentration towards the end of the match.
Lindelof wasn't afforded the game time he would have liked last season, and after transfer speculation linking him with a move away from Old Trafford, he has started off where he left off in a stellar World Cup campaign, and rarely put a wrong foot throughout the match.
Bailly looks refreshed after a summer at home, and it looks like this pairing could be United's first choice center-back pairing for the campaign, and a successful title bid can be built on this base if they perform the way they did against Leicester.
#4 United's midfield
Just days after returning from an extended holiday, Mourinho handed Pogba the chance to captain United in the absence of regular skipper Valencia.
This was a big show of trust by the Portuguese manager as he displayed his desire to build the team around him, and Pogba repaid his trust by putting in a monstrous display in Mourinho's own words, this included United's opener. He was ably supported by academy graduate Andreas Pereira, and new signing Fred.
United's new no 17 put in an energetic shift in the middle of the park, although question marks were raised about his discipline when he kicked Demarai Gray while trying to win back possession.
Aside that, his performance must have given the Old Trafford faithful plenty to admire as he produced amazing cross field passes, and showed his Brazilian flair with some neat skills.
Pereira largely played an unsung part in the win, but his contribution was as significant as any of his other two midfield partners'.
Although Fred, Sanchez and Pogba lost possession a number of times, Pereira was calm and composed throughout the match, and ended the match with a pass accuracy of 91 percent.
After two successive loan spells, he looks primed to be a first team regular in United's midfield this year.
#3 Brilliant David de Gea
David de Gea was back to his best for Manchester United in their PL opener. De Gea's credentials as one of the best shot stoppers in the world was seriously downgraded during the World Cup when he allowed a Ronaldo shot to squirm through his hands into the net, and as he failed to stop any of the penalties during Spain's defeat to Russia.
But there were no such signs during this game as he made a number of saves as Leicester started dominating the proceedings at Old Trafford.
The pick of the saves was a full stretch parry to a fierce shot by the lively James Maddison, he also bailed United out on a number of other dangerous situations as well. If United are to win the title, they need their keeper to be at his imperious best throughout the season.
#2 Promising Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw's performance was reminiscent of his performances at Southampton which prompted United to sign him for a then world record fee paid for a teenager.
His United career has been unfortunate till date as a promising season was ended cruelly due to a double leg fracture, and he has since failed to win a regular starting berth in the lineup.
But he seemed determined throughout the pre-season, and put in a great shift against Leicester as he made regular forays into the opposition half while performing his defensive duties.
He created a good chance in the first half but saw his shot well saved by Kasper Schmeichel, but finally got his reward towards the end of the game as he netted his first ever senior career goal in style.
With him entering the final year of his contract, time is running out on Shaw, and he needs to produce such performances on a regular basis to achieve the potential he definitely has.
#1 Team spirit
There was an air of negativity around Old Trafford because of Mourinho's less than enthusiastic comments regarding the signing of players before the end of the transfer window, but those signs were not on display as the whole team celebrated the victory together.
Leicester had a really successful transfer window, and thus they have a team capable of finishing in the top six, but United's professional performance against them was possible only due to the amazing team spirit.
It may have appeared pessimistic from the outside, but players like Lukaku openly backed the manager and reiterated that the mood inside the camp was very friendly when it came to the relationship with the manager, and the players answered the questions on the pitch.
Mourinho's own reaction to Shaw's goal meant that all is well, and the manager as well as his players are ready for the title challenge this season.
