The fourth official raised his electronic board with 73:28 gone on the match clock at the Liberty Stadium.
Manchester United were leading hosts Swansea 1-0 but Jose Mourinho had seen enough.
Having dominated large swathes of the first half and the opening exchanges of the first, United lapsed into a pattern that was familiar and damaging – ceding territory and putting men behind the ball. The highs of beating West Ham 4-0 were fading as they struggled to break down the Swans’ five-man defence [two wing-backs].
Ander Herrera was the obvious call but Mourinho is keeping faith with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba in the middle of the park with Nemanja Matic.
He'll have better games… https://t.co/ZDLdnNk90B
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) August 19, 2017
Herrera remained in the dug-out. Mourinho was putting on Marouane Fellaini. There were sighs across the away section, as well as complaints on Twitter and across channels such as WhatsApp and Messenger – what is Jose doing?!
The United of last season would have sought to defend that 1-0 lead but there are promising signs that this season’s crop back themselves to do damage.
The second substitution, coming on with Fellaini, was crucial. Anthony Martial for Marcus Rashford.
The French forward scored on the opening day of the Premier League season but had to watch most of this fixture from the sideline. When he got his chance, again, his grasped it.
United’s second goal saw him link up well with Romelu Lukaku and drive at the Swansea defence before Mkhitaryan nipped in with a smart pass. Lukaku did the rest by sweeping home.
Pogba made it 3-0 within 90 seconds after a sumptuous reverse pass from Mkhitaryan and the final nail was hammered by Martial. It appeared as if Pogba had laid off a pass to his compatriot too soon but the 21-year-old stayed calm and cut inside. Using the last defender as a screen, he picked out the bottom right-hand corner and that was that – 4-0.
The reaction to his goal, and his part in Lukaku’s, told you exactly what Martial’s teammates think of the lad. They swarmed him, shook his shoulders, roared in his ear. They want him here.
Mourinho says he wants Martial to stay too but we were not so sure up until now.
Now? There is no way United are letting this guy out of their sight.
Mourinho has to consider starting @AnthonyMartial @ManUtd . Lacked penetration until he joined the fray. #GGMU Top of the league
— Anthony Muthara🇰🇪 (@Anthony_Muthara) August 19, 2017
Anthony Martial is pure class
— paul Steven (@PaulusSt) August 19, 2017
@ManUtd AMAZING GAME!! #SWAMUN 0-4!! Back to this score and loving it again🔥❤️ we r on fire! @AnthonyMartial is a legend!! pic.twitter.com/zi5co6iCye
— Suranjana Gulati (@GulatiSuranjana) August 19, 2017
Anthony Martial comes off the bench and Manchester United score three goals. Wow. Has to start next week – what a player.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) August 19, 2017
You couldn't ask more from a player who wants to prove himself. Anthony Martial is showing his class! Deserves to start over Mata rn
— Tanmay (@Tanmay_MUFC) August 19, 2017
Anthony Martial has proven to be Man United elixir. Comes on and magic happens. Mourinho should reconsider starting Rashford #SWAMUN #MUFC
— Dr. Anwaru (@DeNigerian) August 19, 2017
Two games. Eight goals. None conceded. Six points. United are on the up.
