Very obvious some season opener nerves in the start there. But I don't see that as a weakness of the team, just a fact of life. The anticipation these guys must have felt before kickoff must have been loss of bladder control inducing.
There are so so many great things to take away from this game.
1 game in, and Magiure has me grinning with glee. What an absolute monolith of a centerback he has been this game. We replaced Smalling and Jones with a titan.
AWB was fantastic. Impossible to pass, wins back the ball high on the pitch, and showed up some impressive unexpected dribling skills. Him and Maguire were such tremendous signings for us.
I loved the James swap. He creates such a new dynamic with his speed and acceleration that changes the game for the defenders immediately, drawing free kicks and yellow cards everywhere, and what a dream debut for the kid with a goal. Paul Pogba deserves so much credit not only for his big strides up the pitch on the attack, but the vision to get James the ball.
I saw quite a few possession losses from Pogba today, not for being sloppy but he was trying to do a lot on his own at times. I was a lot happier to see his reaction when losing the ball, or his footing. Chasing the man, or fighting hard to regain it. Incredible key passes on 3 and 4-0 and fantastic effort most of the game. Very happy with this edition of Pogba.
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial earning their wages, 2 for Rashy, 1 for Martial. This is where Lukakus scoring gets replaced.
I don't think anyone on the pitch today had a noteably bad game at all. 1st game nerves, some improvements to be made in passing and establishing pressing, but this is something great to build on.
Overall feeling after game: Ecstatic joy!