Manchester United 5 Galatasaray 2: Zlatan Ibrahimovic nets on debut as Jose Mourinho changes inspire mega comeback
New signing opening scoring while Wayne Rooney hit back of the net twice and Marcus Rashford looked impressive
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC scored just three minutes into his Manchester United debut.
But, despite a comfortable opening, Galatasaray stormed back to take a 2-1 lead to half-time through goals from Sinan Gumus and Bruma.
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Jose Mourinho rand the changes at the interval and a Wayne Rooney goal reduced arrears.
Second-half introduction, Marcus Rashford, then earned a penalty after a majestic solo run, which had Ibrahimovic — by then on the bench — on his feet.
Rooney scored his second from the spot before Marouane Fellaini made it four with a lovely looping header.
Juan Mata — whose Old Trafford future is far from secure — scored the fifth from the close.
FACTS, STATS, GOALS & LOLS
- ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC needed just 195 seconds to confirm that he really does intend to be the God of Manchester.
- EVEN the addition of £30million centre-half Eric Bailly does not appear to have cured United’s vulnerability to set-pieces.
- MARCUS RASHFORD showed he’s no flash in the pan with his impressive second-half showing — his skill in winning the penalty even got a standing ovation from then benched Ibrahimovic.
- MAROUNE FELLAINI may not be everyone’s cup of tea at Old Trafford, but he showed his expertise with an exquisite header.
- MOURINHO may be in the market for a new right-back, with a move for Fabinho mooted — but Antonio Valencia reminded the Special One he could do a job as he provided three assists.
- WESLEY SNEIJDER, who has often been linked with a move to United, may still hold a grudge for his several failed moves as he picked up a first-half booking for a strong challenge on Ander Herrera in a feisty display.
- LOUIS VAN GAAL was rarely able to turn a deficit into a victory, but Mourinho showed he has the courage and tactical nous to turn things around.
- JUAN MATA'S future may be in doubt, but he scored his second goal of pre-season in Gothenburg.
- WHATEVER Mourinho said to Wayne Rooney at half-time certainly worked — the United skipper couldn’t get hold of the ball in the first 45 minutes, but scored two to turn it all around and was named man of the match.
- MOURINHO already has the first piece of silverware of his Old Trafford tenure as victory earned United a trophy.
Social says
They said
Marouane Fellaini:
“I think we did a job. We win. We created chances in the second half. I think the first-half was a little bit difficult — the pressure was not good, the aggression was not there.
“But after that the manager say some things in the dressing room.”
He remained humble about his stunning header, admitting: “I think it was the best position to put the ball. The only chance to score a goal."
Marcus Rashford: "He [Mourinho] wasn't concerned about anything from the first half. He just told us all to push up as a team and we did that and closed our spaces in the second half."
On playing with Ibrahimovic, he said: "It's amazing! There's a possibility that we can all learn from him whilst he's here so we all need to take the chance while it's here.
"It's a massive help [seeing Ibrahimovic in training] obviously, just being with him day-in-day-out is helping me. Just seeing what he's like overall. Not just on the pitch. Off the pitch as well.
"So there's a lot to learn from him. Hopefully I can bring some of what he says into my own game."
Mourinho: "It was important to give minutes to the players. They need to play, we lost a week in China."
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