Manchester United 3-1 Huddersfield Town
A trip to Old Trafford on Boxing Day has rarely paid dividends for the visitors during my lifetime.
In fact, the last time United lost a home league game on Boxing Day was in 1978 –they have won 15 and drawn three since then.
This was the 15th as interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer became the fifth United manager to win his first two league matches in charge.
Basement battlers Huddersfield didn’t deserve to be so heavily defeated but, after a largely miserable first half of the season (by their exalted standards), this was a day in which United were clinical at exactly the right moments.
Highlights of the game
The reception for Solskjaer in his first home Premier League match in charge was spine-tingling. With Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney among the spectators, there was a feel-good factor inside the stadium before kick-off.
Huddersfield morale would not have been helped by the fact they had slipped to the bottom of the table before a ball was kicked following Fulham’s lunchtime draw with Wolves.
That may have been lifted early on had they not missed a gilt-edged opportunity 10 minutes in.
A long throw caused confusion in the home rearguard. Terence Kongolo, possibly slightly off balance, was unable to convert from close range after Erik Durm flicked the ball on.
It was perhaps an example of why Huddersfield are the division’s lowest scorers, with only five of their 12 goals coming from open play.
The visitors were frustrating United who were restricted to long-range efforts. While Marcus Rashford and Fred were lively, the Terriers were not unduly uncomfortable.
The game certainly needed a goal, and it arrived just before the half-hour.
In truth, the home side was fortunate to be awarded a free-kick from which a Paul Pogba shot was deflected over.
From the resulting corner by Rashford, Victor Lindelof’s header was well kept out by Jonas Lossi, but the ball only went so far as Nemanja Matic reacted quickly to touch the ball home.
Although Luke Shaw needed to be alert to clear a flicked-on corner off the line, United had a renewed spark after the goal. And Rashford showed skill and pace down the left to find young full-back Diogo Dalot who couldn’t quite position himself correctly and rifled the ball narrowly wide.
Huddersfield were certainly not reluctant to attack a defence which has been suspect all season. They made a bright start to the second half, a Matic block being very important as they threatened an equaliser.
David de Gea, the skipper for the day, saved the hosts just before the hour when he pushed a Laurent Depoitre effort away after a pass from the dangerous Alex Pritchard.
It proved costly as United doubled their advantage within two minutes.
Juan Mata held off the attention of two defenders as he burst into the box and pulled the ball back for substitute Ander Herrera. He touched it to the unmarked Paul Pogba, and the Frenchman clinically swept home.
If it was slightly harsh on Huddersfield, it also signalled the end of the match as a contest.
Pogba wasn’t done, either. He put the seal on victory 13 minutes from time, superbly placing the ball into the bottom corner with a goal which will be among the Premier League 2018 highlights – again left unmarked by the visitors.
It is a widely held belief that the midfielder owes United performances like this.
The Yorkshire side scored the goal their play merited in the closing stages when a Pritchard ball was nodded down by Steve Mounie, and Mathias Jorgensen was left untracked to sweep home.
It mattered little. United had a welcome win and Huddersfield stay bottom.
Key statistics
In winning his first two matches in charge, Solskjaer has matched the record of former United bosses TJ Wallworth, Matt Busby, Dave Sexton and Jose Mourinho.
United have lost just one of their last 15 games against Huddersfield in all competitions, winning 11 and drawing three.
Huddersfield have not won an away match in all competitions against United since a 6-0 top-flight victory in September 1930.
The Terriers have only scored five goals in the last 11 meetings with United.
Premier League 2018 betting odds do not favour Huddersfield who have lost their last six league games and 11 of their past 14.
They have scored just four times in those six defeats.
The Terriers have only won one of their nine away league games this season, keeping just one clean sheet.
What’s next?
The busy festive period continues for both clubs, and SBOBET will be there to catch them in action.
Bournemouth are the next visitors to Old Trafford on Sunday (December 29) before United visit Newcastle a week today (January 2) for their first match of 2019.
Huddersfield travel to Fulham for a relegation ‘six-pointer’ on Saturday and then host Burnley on January 2.
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