WIGAN ATHLETIC 0, MAN UNITED 2
Jose Mourinho made a winning start as Manchester United manager following a hard-earned win at Championship club Wigan Athletic.
Second-half goals from from fringe players Will Keane and Andrea Pereira gave Mourinho the perfect start with the Reds.
And Mourinho’s arrival has certainly brought back a feel-good factor that was absent for much of Louis van Gaal’s tenure as manager.
New signings Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan both made their debuts in a strong United line up.
With the exception of Euro players David De Gea, Chris Smalling, Marcus Rashford, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, it was a full-strength squad at the JJB Stadium.
And the vast away following’s first chat of the game immediately after kick off was the name of Mourinho who acknowledged them with two waves.
After two further first-half waves, Mourinho refused to acknowledge the fans and further only to be greeted with a light-hearted ‘sit down Mourinho’ as he was stood throughout in the technical area.
There was not a lot of change from last season under Louis van Gaal in the opening period as United failed to muster one shot on target.
However, they ought to have taken the lead as they had three clear cut chances as Memphis Depay shot wide afte the far post when he ought to have hit the target, Luke Shaw saw a drive whistle just wide and Mkhitaryan shot over when well placed.
United made nine changes at the break – only keeper Sam Johnstone and Bailly remained on the pitch – and made the breakthrough in the 49th minute as they capitalised on a blunder.
Wigan keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen’s clearance was charged down by Juan Mata who square the ball to Keane who slotted the ball into an empty net.
And United doubled their lead just short of the hour when Antonio Valencia’s free kick was only cleared as far as Pereira who rifled a shot into the top corner of the net.