Manchester United 2-0 Swansea City: 5 Talking Points

#1 Alexis Sanchez steps up and a brand new episode of Dave saves

Two world-class players going about their business

Alexis Sanchez and Paul Pogba were, for a long time, battling in almost the same space which greatly pulled them both back in their game. Today, perhaps for the first time since his arrival, Sanchez linked up to great effect with his midfielders and his trading offs with Pogba, in particular, is a welcome sight at Old Trafford.

This was more like the Sanchez that United thought they were signing in January. He looked fitter, sharper and greedier more than anything. That's the Alexis that we know. The Sanchez who never gives up and is always chasing down the opposition and hounding them.

He tracked back to great effect and, more often than not, came away with the ball and his exploits were warmly lauded by the Old Trafford faithful. His movement up front was menacing and he registered an assist after sweeping the ball across the box for Lukaku to score the opener of the game.

Sanchez scored subsequently with a well-taken finish as he sent Wayne Hennessey the wrong way with a quick deceiving glance. The goal would have done his confidence a world of good and if he can produce more of the same, United would definitely get the shot in the arm they were hoping for when they signed him.

On the other side, though, after almost an hour had passed, where he was barely ever called into action, David De Gea came up with some absolute magic to deny Abrahams not once but twice in quick succession to ensure the Swans stayed silent for the rest of the encounter.

Though the second save was one you would expect the best goalkeeper in the world to make in his sleep, the first one was absolutely unreal. Abrahams picked up a cross and with a Cruyff turn, set himself up to go for goal.

With the kind of contact he made, you couldn't blame Tammy boy for thinking he'd just got his team back into the game but De Gea intervened, like he almost always does, with a strong right hand and said, "Nah boy, closed on Saturdays."

A lot has been said about Manchester United's goalscoring problems and consequently, their attackers have all been in the limelight. But if there is one man who this United just cannot do without, it is none other than De Gea.

No questions.