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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'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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10 minutes

Manchester United with their first extended spell of possession of the game, though Cardiff are holding their defensive shape well so far.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:41

11 minutes

Anthony Martial runs at Bruno Ecuele Manga and earns a corner off the Gabonese defender after getting to the byline.

Ashley Young delivers, but Sol Bamba rises relatively unopposed to head the corner away.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:42

13 minutes

Aron Gunnarsson's long throws are a real weapon for Neil Warnock's side, and Cardiff have both centre-halves waiting for the latest launch.

Manchester United again cope well, and there is a nasty clash of heads when the ball is hoisted back into the box.

Luke Shaw and Callum Paterson are the players involved, and both are receiving treatment.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:45

15 minutes

Luke Shaw is up and ready to rejoin affairs, but Callum Paterson might have more of an issue.

The Scottish utility-man has found some form up front since being moved there at the start of the season, and thus Neil Warnock will be pleased to see Paterson soon back on his feet and reintroduced with Shaw as play resumes.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:47

1-0

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:49

20 minutes

The game has just lost its way a little after a relatively lively start. 

Manchester United do seem to be playing with a bit more freedom than in the final days of Jose Mourinho's tenure.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:51

21 minutes

Sol Bamba strides out of defence and has Josh Murphy surging away in acres of space down the left, but fail to looks the wideman's way.

Bamba is thus out of position after giving the ball away and it takes an excellent block from Greg Cunningham to prevent Marcus Rashford from scoring his second.

To his credit, Bamba is back in time to prevent further Manchester United efforts with the clearance, but he and his team need to be careful not to leave themselves exposed.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:53

24 minutes

Ashley Young swings in a free kick from wide on the left...

Paul Pogba is the intended target but Sol Bamba is there ahead of him to flick it behind for a Manchester United corner.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:55

25 minutes

It is another great cross from Ashley Young and Phil Jones appears to have timed his run perfectly, but the centre-back can't get enough purchase on his header to trouble Neil Etheridge in the Cardiff goal.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:56

27 minutes

The Cardiff crowd are up for this one.

They rise to salute Sol Bamba as the Ivorian powerfully (and very fairly) slides in on Marcus Rashford on the halfway line.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:58

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