Manchester United 4-0 West Ham United
So this is what spending big money gets you!
For this was a big marker from two big money signings.
Football games are decided by goals and many sports betting fans will recognise that Romelu Lukaku will guarantee goals.
Yet, fewer speak of the importance of a strong, often unsung, spine at the heart of midfield.
In securing both Lukaku (£75 million) and Nemanja Matic (£40 million), Manchester United appear to have both.
This was a four-midable start, albeit against an understrength West Ham outfit.
After a cup double last season, United are craving the top prize again.
Ten home draws in Premier League last term was one of the reasons manager Jose Mourinho was willing to part £75 million to secure the services of Lukaku.
And the purpose, pace and prolific finishing were all in evidence on a glorious summer afternoon at Old Trafford.
Amid some wholehearted challenges, a sustained spell of pressure paid off just after the half hour.
Matic won the ball to spark a swift counter attack from which Marcus Rashford ran at the visiting defence before timing the weight of his pass to perfection for Lukaku, who finished with aplomb via a post.
When Rashford was fouled seven minutes after the re-start, Henrikh Mkhitaryan floated the ball across and there was Lukaku to head home the second.
That’s 11 goals in 11 matches against West Ham for the Belgian, so perhaps we should not be surprised at such an immediate impact.
With the new recruits teaming up promisingly with a young talent (Rashford) who had not even made the Man United first team until 19 months ago, no wonder home fans were excited.
The smooth Matic kept United ticking and, a few brief moments aside, the hosts rarely looked like falling into last season’s trap when they so often dominated possession but failed to make it count.
Mkhitaryan, Juan Mata and Paul Pogba were among the other stand-out performers on a day the Red Devils clicked – substitute Anthony Martial and Pogba putting a gloss on the scoreline in the closing stages.
A day to forget for West Ham who want to return to upsetting the big boys and qualify for Europe after a poor campaign immediately followed their bright debut season under Slaven Bilic.
They will improve and seem to have made some shrewd acquisitions in Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Marko Arnautovic and former fan favourite Javier Hernandez, who naturally received a much warmer welcome among the home faithful than his comrades who formerly plied their trade on the other side of the city.
Mourinho – who according to one radio commentator possessed all the hallmarks of George Clooney on the touchline – admitted he still hopes to complete one more signing before the transfer window closes.
Whoever he is, he may face a battle to get into the side now Mourinho’s new A-listers are up and running!
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