ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC FIRES MANCHESTER UNITED TO VICTORY AT WEST BROM WITH CLASSY DOUBLE

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC FIRES MANCHESTER UNITED TO VICTORY AT WEST BROM WITH CLASSY DOUBLE

West Brom 0 Manchester United 2 (Ibrahimovic 5′, 56′) Premier League, The Hawthorns

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s brace helped Manchester United win their fourth straight game, solidifying their current strong play. They are now tied with Tottenham in fifth place, but they remain sixth.

[MOURINHO: ‘ZLATAN CAME TO UNITED TO ENJOY HIMSELF, HIS SUPERB FORM ISN’T A SURPRISE’]
After five minutes, Jesse Lingard’s move into space allowed Antonio Valencia to hammer a long ball down the line, giving West Brom, who were also on a respectable run, the lead. West Brom had started brightly, pinning United back with shrewd passing. Zlatan Ibrahimovic then headed past Ben Foster after a lovely cross.
picture
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and teammate Jesse Lingard celebrate his first goal.

Craig Dawson’s deflection made sure the ball beat Foster, but it would have likely done so anyway. United could have easily extended their lead, with Wayne Rooney coming closest with a drive against the bar before Ibrahimovic scored his 16th goal of the season on minute 56, eluding a couple of challenges on the left edge of the box before flicking up and drilling low.
Referee Anthony Taylor booked both Salomon Rondon and Marcos Rojo following a brief altercation that appeared to have potential for later entertainment.

TALKING POINT

Why did it take so long for United play like United? Manchester United are playing very well now, but are also 13 points behing Chelsea – who also have a new manager, tasked with tidying up Mourinho’s mess. There is no excuse for how long it took Mourinho to deduce that Michael Carrick is indispensable, likewise that Ander Herrera is better than Marouane Fellaini and that 4-3-3 suits his players better than 4-4-2.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United) The kind of game for which he was bought. Under Louis van Gaal, United were good in the big games, but struggled to beat teams below them. A scorer of Ibrahimovic’s pedigree will ensure that now happens a lot less.

PLAYER RATINGS

Foster, Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Nyom, Jacob, Fletcher, Chadli, Brunt, Phillips, and Rondon are West Bromwich Albion’s scorer. Morrison, Robson-Kanu 6, Leko 6 substitutes.
Manchester United: Lingard 7, Ibrahimovic 8, Rooney 6, De Gea 6, Valencia 7, Jones 7, Rojo 6, Darmian 6, Carrick 7, Herrera 6. Subs: Smalling 6, Fellaini 6, Rashford 6.
23 – Lovely from United – Lingard’s movement causing disruption again. He appears down the left, cuts back a cross, and Rooney takes a touch, then smacks a shot goalwards. It looks like it’s going in too, but Foster gets a very good touch to tip it against the bar.
picture

Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates scoring their first goal with Jesse Lingard

Image credit: Reuters

31 – Fantastic play from Phillips – nashing by Lingard and Valencia and swinging over a perfect cross for Rondon, mooching about between Jones and Rojo. He’s up well too, but flashes a free header wide.

45 – United keep it moving – and Valencia gets round the back, crossing for Lingard who can’t get there. But the ball ends up being lifted back in, Darmian totally miscues a volley – no, really – and Lingard touches brilliantly into his own path. He’s in! So he smashes over the top for no reason whatsoever!

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*