Premier League 2017/18: 5 takeaways from Manchester United's flying start

Manchester United have opened their new campaign in the best of fashion by scoring eight goals and conceding none in two games - their best start ever in the Premier League era. Traditionally the Red Devils have been known to make slow starts, but that is certainly not the case this season.

The only other time United had managed as many goals in the opening two games was way back in 2006/07, when United had won 5-1 against Fulham and 3-0 against Charlton. United had gone on to win their 16th League title at the time under Sir Alex.

Here are the 5 takeaways from United's mesmerizing start.

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#1 Ruthless Manchester United

Manchester United had, over the past four years, acquired themselves an unenviable reputation for not scoring enough goals. In fact, the last two seasons the Red Devils managed two of their lowest scoring campaigns ever in the Premier League. While Louis van Gaal's United scored a record low of 49 goals in 2015/16, Mourinho's men managed 54 last time around. Previously United's worst tally of goals was 58 in the 2004/05 season.

Well, all that seems to be a thing of past now that Manchester United have gotten off to a flying start. The Red Devils have been ruthless in their two league games scoring four in both of them. They seem to have gotten back their lethal touch of scoring goals.

The away fans' section at the Liberty Stadium sang away through much of the game against Swansea City as United romped to a 4-0 win over the Welsh outfit. The words on every fans' lips seemed to be the title number 21! For the first time after Sir Alex's retirement, the Red Devils are daring to dream of a title win and their impressive start seems to have made United early title favourites amongst experts too.

#2 Frightening counter attacks

Rashford and Martial have been pacy and effective on the left wing

Manchester United have looked absolutely menacing on the counter attack and it must be giving nightmares to the opponents' defenders. The signs were there in the pre-season also that United will be looking to play on the counter-attack more frequently this season.

The Red Devils have done just that - at least three of their eight goals scored so far have been on a counter. The opening goal against West Ham was a blistering counter attack from one end to another in the blink of an eye as Lukaku finished off the move.

This goal was reminiscent of a classic counter attacking goal that would have been scored by one of Sir Alex's Manchester United teams.

Presently, United possess within their ranks some of the quickest players in the form of Rashford, Martial, Lukaku, Mkhitaryan and Lingard.

Rashford has, in particular, been a livewire down the left flank for Manchester United.

#3 Pogba excels in a three-man midfield

Pogba has scored 3 goals in his last 3 Premier League matches

Jose Mourinho decided to make two substitutions around the 71st minute against Swansea, bringing on Fellaini and Martial and in the process, shuffled the United's formation from 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3. This was exactly what Mourinho did against West Ham when the Red Devils were 2-0 up.

On both occasions, United seemed to have reaped the benefits as the addition of another midfielder in the form of Marouane Fellaini gave even more freedom to Paul Pogba to make his runs into the box.

Pogba, who was perhaps lucky to be not sent off in the first half, clearly relished this license given to him as he scored again.

The early signs are that a three-man midfield seems to suit Pogba's game perfectly and perhaps in bigger games, we are likely to see United with a three-man midfield and Pogba in a more advanced role.

#4 Martial in for a big season

Anthony Martial scoring United's fourth goal in the 84th minute against Swansea

There were question marks surrounding the future of the Frenchman Anthony Martial as he was continuously linked with Inter Milan amidst rumours that he was not a part of Jose Mourinho's plans this season. And Martial's low key celebration following his goal against West Ham on the opening day added further fuel to these speculations.

However, Mourinho was quick to quash the rumours and expressed his faith in Martial in his pre-match conference just before the Swansea game.

And well, Martial did what he does at his best, scored at the end of a scintillating counter-attack from Manchester United. The 21-year-old Frenchman is making an extremely good case for himself to be given a starting berth in United's lineup. And the early signs are that Martial, who is in his third season at Old Trafford now, could be set for a massive season.

His pace and calm finishing will be vital as the season progresses for United.

#5 The rearguard looks sturdy

Having battled his way back to fitness, Jones is looking increasingly reliable in defence

Manchester United's defence looks very sturdy indeed with Eric Bailly and Phil Jones starting in the centre so far. Jones is starting to look like the player who was so highly regarded by Sir Alex Ferguson when he was signed from Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 2011. And Bailly has continued from where he left off last season as the 23-year-old Ivorian defender even got his first Manchester United goal on Saturday.

With the ever so reliable Nemanja Matic in front of them, shielding the back four and the world class De Gea in goal, Manchester United's opponents are likely to find it even tougher to score against them this season.