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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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52 minutes

More clever interplay from Manchester United sees Jesse Lingard find Paul Pogba and Pogba nonchalantly feed Marcus Rashford, but Greg Cunningham had tracked the striker well and is able to slide in, allowing Neil Etheridge a simple collection.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:42

54 minutes

It is telling that Cardiff's pass completion sits at 53%, a pretty woeful figure and indicative of a failure to keep possession during the game.

Aron Gunnarsson is trod upon awkwardly by Paul Pogba and will receive a little treatment. Not too serious for the burly Icelandic midfielder.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:44

PENALTY TO MANCHESTER UNITED! Jesse Lingard goes down and Michael Oliver points to the spot!

Sol Bamba is not happy but he has caught Jesse Lingard from behind as the Manchester United man moved into the box.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:45

GOAL! Cardiff 1-4 Manchester United (Jesse Lingard, 56 minutes)

Jesse Lingard gets up, wrestles the ball from Paul Pogba, and sends Neil Etheridge the wrong way.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:46

58 minutes

Aron Gunnarsson has drawn the referee's whistle a few times this evening and for his latest transgression will be booked.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:47

60 minutes

Neil Warnock relays his final instructions to Kenneth Zohore. The tall Danish striker will be Cardiff's first change.

That change will be made as Bruno Ecuele Manga blocks a Luke Shaw shot for a corner.

Harry Arter comes off.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:50

63 minutes

Nearly a fifth!

Victor Lindelof runs away from the Cardiff attackers and keeps going, eventually releasing Marcus Rashford with a nice threaded pass.

Rashford should score, but his shot is headed wide even without the touch of Neil Etheridge.

Rashford is rightly furious that Michael Oliver signals for a goal kick, though.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:53

64 minutes

Josh Murphy hits a curling drive firmly from the edge of the area but is denied strongly by David De Gea diving low to his left.

From the corner, Sol Bamba breaks free from his marker but makes a hash of his header.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:54

Jesse Lingard confidently strokes home a penalty after being felled by Sol Bamba as Manchester United seem set to cruise to an away victory.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:56

69 minutes

Junior Hoilett is going nowhere with his back to goal but Paul Pogba peculiarly decides to dive in on the Cardiff winger, conceding a free kick.

Callum Paterson beats Pogba in the air from the resulting set-piece but gets too much on his header, sending it over the bar.

Harry Latham-Coyle22 December 2018 18:59

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