Zlatan Ibrahimovic stars as Manchester United turn on style against Bournemouth

Herrera’s use of the ball was impressive, keeping it simple in deeper positions but also playing the best two passes of the first half.

A wayward Harry Arter effort from long range was all the Cherries could muster in response as they struggled to win the ball from their opponents in a game played at a slow pace.

Juan Mata’s opening goal was hailed by Mourinho as the crucial moment of Sunday’s game, with Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic also on the scoresheet before Adam Smith’s late reply for the hosts.

It was as good as where it ended for Louis van Gaal but for Jose Mourinho this was a start that might not yet promise the earth but certainly far much than anyone could have looked forward to when United left Dean Court in disarray nine months ago. Everything is new for me. “Slowly I get settled in, play my game and make my team win”.

Boos from the home crowd at the final whistle made clear the fans’ feelings about the performance, along with their unhappiness at a lack of high-profile signings by manager Arsene Wenger to strengthen a team that finished second behind champion Leicester last season.

Ibrahimovic was delighted to make a winning, and scoring, start to his Manchester United career. “The first half we weren’t 100 per cent but second half became easier, there was more space”.

Francis’ poor backpass was pounced on by Mata and though his tame finish was blocked by Boruc, the ball rebounded off the legs of Francis and allowed United’s number eight a simple tap-in five minutes before half-time.

“We dominated the early stages, but you can’t gift Manchester United goals, which we did”, said Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe.

After the break Ibrahimovic took control, laying on two gilt-edged chances for Rooney before the England captain nodded home from Anthony Martial’s miscued volley.

The 34-year-old, who arrived from PSG on a free transfer, scored United’s third goal with a well-struck 25-yard shot, earning an early comparison with Old Trafford icon Eric Cantona. To its credit, Bournemouth refused to buckle and Smith smacked a shot into the roof of the United net from inside the area in the 69th minute. Being new to the league is not easy. News stories displayed here appear in our category for Sports and are licensed via a specific agreement between LongIsland.com and The Associated Press, the world’s oldest and largest news organization. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.theeagleonline.com.ng as the source. This includes the preparation of derivative works of, or the incorporation of such content into other works. The Arsenal winger picked himself up to take the resulting penalty but his spot-kick was met with an excellent diving save by goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. Please see our terms of service for more information.