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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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GOAL! Cardiff 0-2 Manchester United (Ander Herrera, 29 minutes)

A huge deflection, but Manchester United have two.

Paul Pogba turns back towards his own goal on the left and spots Ander Herrera breaking from deeper in midfield on the right.

The Cardiff defence rather let him come at them until the Spaniard is about 25 yards out. Greg Cunningham tries to step in at this point as Herrera lets fly, and his shot comes off the Cardiff left back and flies high into the top corner, beating the despairing dive of Neil Etheridge to his left.

Two in the first half-hour for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 17:59

31 minutes

It is a cruel deflection for Cardiff, and Neil Warnock's look of anguish is certainly apparent as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pumps the air with both fists alongside him.

Cardiff haven't played badly at all but find themselves two goals behind already.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:03

32 minutes

Sol Bamba concedes another corner as Manchester United look to turn the screw.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:03

33 minutes

It is once again well-directed and Nemanja Matic gets his head to the ball first, Sean Morrison doing superbly to just about get his foot in with Paul Pogba ready to turn in the bouncing ball.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:04

35 minutes

A set-piece move from the latest Ashley Young corner sees the Manchester United captain play the  long diagonal to Ander Herrera, but the Spaniard's volley is lacklustre and Cardiff block easily.

Luke Shaw tries to recover for the visitors but rather lunges in. A booking.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:07

​PENALTY TO CARDIFF! Marcus Rashford handball!

Rashford is running back towards his own goal and Michael Oliver points to the spot after some assistance from Simon Bennett with the flag in hand.

Victor Camarasa will take...

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:07

GOAL! Cardiff 1-2 Manchester United (Victor Camarasa, 38 minutes)

A perfect penalty to beat his compatriot, and Cardiff are back in the game.

Powerfully lifted into the top corner by Victor Camarasa. 

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:09

39 minutes

Neil Etheridge collects simply from an ambitious 25-yard drive by Manchester United.

There is real energy in both the Cardiff crowd and side on the pitch, and Manchester United do look a little flustered. They would be keener for half-time at this juncture.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:11

GOAL! Cardiff 1-3 Manchester United (Anthony Martial, 40 minutes)

Oh that is magnificent! 

A gorgeous team goal from Manchester United.

Anthony Martial, to Paul Pogba, to Jesse Lingard, back to Martial, and a very accomplished finish kissing the post on its way in.

All done with one-touch passing at real speed - a beaut!

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:11

43 minutes

Harry Arter's cross strikes the crossbar of David De Gea's goal, but the ball had already floated out of play before curling back in.

Half-time nearing at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:14

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