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As it happenedended

Manchester United see off Cardiff to start Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era with a win

Latest reaction from the Premier League fixture at the Cardiff City Stadium

Harry Latham-Coyle
Saturday 22 December 2018 15:03 EST
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants permanent Manchester United job

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reign as Manchester United caretaker manager began with a convincing 5-1 win at former club Cardiff.

The 45-year-old took over earlier this week after Jose Mourinho was sacked on Tuesday following United's poor start to the Premier League season and saw his side stroll past the Bluebirds with plenty to spare.

The Cardiff City Stadium result is the first time United have scored five goals in the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge, and it keeps Solskjaer's side in sixth place.

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TEAM NEWS

Meanwhile the hosts make just a single change from last week's 3-2 defeat at the hands of Watford. Joe Bennett misses out with a hip quibble and thus Greg Cunningham comes in at left back.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:18

As Ole Gunnar Solskjaer takes charge of a club where he was so successful and loved as a player, The Independent's Northern Football Correspondent Mark Critchley looks at five things the new Manchester United manager must do:

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:22

​Back in the side...

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:25

On to the pitch come the players at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Will Ole Gunnar Solskjaer start well, or can Cardiff beat Manchester United for the first time in 58 years? Kick off is imminent.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:28

Cardiff City get the game underway.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:31

1 minute

First test of the day for the Manchester United defence as Aron Gunnarsson hurls in the long throw.

Phil Jones wins it.

Looks like a 4-3-3 for the visitors and more of a 4-5-1 from Cardiff.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:32

2 minutes

Paul Pogba on the ball early, a give-and-go drawing the foul from Aron Gunnarsson.

Between 25 and 30 yard out. Pogba may fancy a go...

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:34

GOAL! Cardiff 0-1 Manchester United (Marcus Rashford, 3 minutes)

What a start for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United!

Paul Pogba runs over the free kick, leaving it to Marcus Rashford to line up a strike.

Rashford charges up to the ball and side-foots it firmly to the left of the Cardiff wall. Neil Etheridge takes a false step to his right and is left stationary as Rashford's cleverly hit free kick swerves away towards his left-hand post, bouncing in to the bottom corner and giving Manchester United the most perfect of starts.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:34

6 minutes

Josh Murphy is roared on by a vocal home crowd but Ander Herrera has tracked back well to dispossess him.

Nevertheless Cardiff win the ball back and Jesse Lingard concedes a free kick in not dissimilar position to that from which Marcus Rashford just scored.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:38

7 minutes

Josh Murphy strides confidently up to the ball, but that is relatively poor in the end. His shot is curling back from beyond the right-hand upright but is a good five yards too high.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:39

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