Manchester United were simply too good for Cardiff City as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed victory in his first match as interim boss.
Match Report
Three goals in the first half from Marcus Rashford, Ander Herrera and Anthony Martial and a brace from Jesse Lingard earned all three points at Cardiff City Stadium, with Victor Camaras' penalty proving little consolation.
United stay sixth in the table, but the manner of the performance, as well as the result - the first time the side have scored five times in the league since Alex Ferguson's final game in charge - will have been a welcome sight for the travelling fans at the end of a week that saw Jose Mourinho's contentious time in charge come to an end.
Player Ratings
Match Events
3' GOAL! Cardiff City 0-1 Man Utd (Rashford)
What a start to Solskjaer's reign! Pogba dummies a free-kick on the edge of the box, fooling Etheridge into committing to his right while Rashford hit a bullet of a strike into the opposite corner! United lead 1-0!
29' GOAL! Cardiff City 0-2 Man Utd (Herrera)
De Gea punts a long ball that is nodded on to Pogba, who switches the play to Herrera on the right. The Spaniard is some considerable distance out, but he hits a ferocious strike that takes a wicked deflection and swerves into the top corner!
38' Penalty Goal! Cardiff City 1-2 Man Utd (Camarasa)
Camarasa converts emphatically, powering the ball into the top-left corner despite De Gea going the right way. The hosts have a lifeline!
41' GOAL! Cardiff City 1-3 Man Utd (Martial)
What a lovely goal this is. Martial plays some intricate one-touch stuff with Lingard and is released into the box before coolly slotting into the far corner! United's two-goal cushion is restored!
57' Penalty Goal! Cardiff City 1-4 Man Utd (Lingard)
Lingard makes no mistake and sends Etheridge the wrong way, opening his body up and placing the ball to the goalkeeper's left. It's 4-1 and United are in cruise control now.
90' GOAL! Cardiff City 1-5 Man Utd (Lingard)
Pogba slides it through for Lingard and he beats Morrison for pace, rounds Etheridge and rolls it into an empty net! That caps off an emphatic performance from United.
Line-ups
Cardiff City XI: A. Gunnarsson, J. Hoilett, B. Écuélé Manga, S. Bamba, Arter, S. Morrison, G. Cunningham, N. Etheridge, C. Paterson, Josh Murphy, Camarasa
Subs: L. Peltier, A. Smithies, N. Mendez-Laing, K. Harris, K. Zohorè, B. Reid, J. Ralls
Man Utd XI: A. Young, N. Matić, David de Gea, A.Herrera, P. Jones, V. Lindelöf, P. Pogba, L.Shaw, A.Martial, J. Lingard, M. Rashford
Subs: M. Fellaini, S. Romero, J.Mata, Fred, A.Pereira, Bailly, Diogo Dalot
tropicalda
405
THE VIRUS HAS GONE AND NOW YOU SEE MANCHESTER UNITED AGAIN I know it's the first game under a new manager, but Manchester United's players look sharper all over the pitch. Haven't seen them win the ball back this quickly in years. A real sense of urgency. Even after conceding a goal, Manchester United looked confident of scoring another goal and that's what they did. I know it's the first game under a new manager, but Manchester United's players look sharper all over the pitch. Haven't seen them win the ball back this quickly in years. A real sense of urgency. Even after conceding a goal, Manchester United looked confident of scoring another goal and that's what they did. Positivity, attacking football. Quick passing, off the ball movement. We focus on our strengths, not the opponents. A manager who gives his players confidence, not belittles them at every opportunity. This is the Manchester United we missed 😮😮😮😍😍❤ Oleeeeee Oleeeeee
Braddy
388
Manchester City played like Manchester United while Manchester United played like Manchester City
lord_series
282
forget about the goals,look at the class,if we had lost tonight I would still be happy because the players played with class some great attacking football which hasn't been seen in a long time, look at Herrera's goal,world-class, this is the player that spent most of his time on bench when mourinho was the coach, rashford now plays with confidence that he lost,he has being trying the free kicks for a while now but he always end up being a close miss, lingard now playing a free flowing game, pogba's assist was great and he made allot of great passes too, the team is improving all-round, this is what we what not a coach with a big ego... Sanchez returned early to training coz he wants to play,a player who was tired of playing for mourinho...ggmu, this is a great start
zedbcklmo
231
Those who says “its just Cardiff, wait till big clubs” must understand that; today’s game was different. ManUtd never played so brilliant and entertaining football all these years. Also the attacking football gave us 5 goals/game after almost 5 years. For a moment, I thought ManUtd playing like Barcelona but it was ManUtd playstyle, it was ole playstyle. Players were all around the pitch passing and connecting and also team pressing. Check today’s fixture, man city & Chelsea fans must not bark it just Cardiff cuz we all know they loose to small club than them. Plus Liverpool no silverware but this season might be a good sign for them. Eventually they will loose someday..
12UnitedGuyReborn
222
Rashford scored a freekick Herrera scored a screamer Pogba made two assists Lingard score a penalty and from a beautiful Pogboom pass Martial scored from a fine combination Manchester United led 3:1 first half What more can I ask for????[santa][santa] the best Christmas gift ever PSG we are coming for you
peebeklnoz
198
It not the team that they played with but the strategic that I miss for a very long time...this is what we want since SAF left...at last u make it...well done Man U...GGMU..👏👏👏⚽️
Jeffrey Blingz
131
And Man United did this and that and that bla bla bla But above all couldn't keep cleansheet again. Limit all the fuss because it's only Cardiff for goodness sake.The team Hazard alone scored hattrick against and were trash by other teams as well. Mourinho score won 4-1 against Fulham and wasn't praise like this.Come on.More tests ahead. Thank you.
Naimurrahmansiam
117
Well,United are back for sure.5 goals in the PL after 5 years.Sir Alex should be delighted to see the UTD he created.The baby faced assassin surely had something.Its not only about the fact that the opponent is small but we should have a look at the dominance we had.We were fantastic for the time we had attack and goals in mind and solid while defending.I may not have seen the whole match but whatever I saw made me realise that the players are gettung the position where they wanna play.Espacially Pogba.He was a beast.Now this shouldn t end anyhow and it should be an start to an era.Zizou may have to wit for the call because this time we surely got a director to direct the game the United way.Today the Manchester is red.
jyt
111
This is Manchester United that we used to know! That's the Red Devils that we've always wanted to see! I haven't seen them play the way they did today in YEARS. Finally Solskjaer, you proved to Cardiff that they were wrong to fire you. Pogba played-- how he should play at least without a goal. Rashford was on fire
daseg1974
82
Up Manchester United for Life.....GGMU!!!! The same players used by Mou scored 5goals tonight, what is the magics? Mou is a good and class Manager but instead of being focus with a good team selection he talked too much. Lesson for everyone that Almighty God is the Ultimate and a Special One at all the time. Team selection killed Mou period!!!.
Nesaiknruy_Legend
76
It's funny how once United started playing attacking football, they show what they're really capable off. Have always said this, with the right style, United are threatening even though I troll them as a joke club. Herrera as I've mentioned before was being used as a man marking CDM before, now he's finally that number 8 they brought in originally. This is what fluid played football looks like. United are being reborn and with Poch they could be even deadlier than they are now. Pragmatic styles of play have died out in the game, attacking football brings the best out of every player...
All4love55
73
Even tho im a Liverpool fan,I liked what I see in the first half.Second half didnt see due to work. Manager Sol pit the bottom team,see how he goes with the top teams as tactician.Win or lose,he will still gain experience as in playing games....lol
izukanjijr
73
where have you all been.. ahhhh I have missed you all. we truly have been miserable. we will celebrate victory like we just won a trophy doesn't matter which trophy. we haven't seen this football from our lads in too long.. feeling happy
zodbdirsz
72
This is what we call football not fake ball , Liverpool we are coming prepare yourself.
robjet07
68
2 mins silence for Mourinho fans🤣🤣🤣
JimmySmith
50
This is the Manchester I know, But I don't see the difference in the system of ole gunner and jose.. against an upcoming team like Cardiff was the same with us against Fulham.
MAZYAR
46
A man for all seasons... Good luck Golden boy