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There were moments on his Old Trafford debut when Alexis Sanchez looked every bit as impatient with his team-mates as he had done during the bleakest times at Arsenal, and it is this restlessness of spirit that might just breathe some life into Jose Mourinho’s team when they need it the most.
After United’s Wembley mauling at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur, Sanchez scored his first goal for his new club, helped make the other for Romelu Lukaku and generally contributed an afternoon’s work worthy of the highest-paid player in the league. He suffers no fools, and he was resistant to some of the heavier challenges from Huddersfield Town as he probed and scurried around their defensive positions.
It is difficult to judge United when they were up against a team that did not have a single attempt on David De Gea’s goal and have now slipped into the bottom three of the division, although the corresponding fixture in October was one of United’s worst defeats of the season. Mourinho dropped Paul Pogba for this game, a decision which he was reluctant to connect with the midfielder’s mediocrity at Wembley, and if it was a punishment it only lasted as long as the second half when the Frenchman came on.
Afterwards, Mourinho tried to soften the blow to Pogba by talking up the suitability of his replacement, Scott McTominay, and while the academy boy did have a very solid performance it was hard to ignore the message being sent to the club’s £90 million man. “I changed a few players and the intention was not to punish anyone,” Mourinho said. “Because to punish anyone I also need someone to punish me... we are a team and when we win, we win together. When we lose, we lose together.
“I made a few changes thinking about the characteristics of this game and I think this kid has a great desire to recover the ball when the team is not in possession.”
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Manchester United 2 Huddersfield 0 | Premier League | Old Trafford
Alexis Sanchez's first goal for Manchester United wrapped up a 2-0 victory against Huddersfield on a day when the clubs came together to remember those who lost their lives in the Munich air disaster.
Tuesday is the 60th anniversary of the tragedy which claimed 23 lives, including eight of the players, as Sir Matt Busby's side returned from a European Cup match at Red Star Belgrade.
Silence fell upon Old Trafford as those lost were remembered ahead of a match that United won, with goals from Romelu Lukaku and home debutant Sanchez sealing the victory against David Wagner's Terriers.
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ES COVERAGE Follow live goal updates with Standard Sport from 3pm. ODDS Betting odds (via betfair, UK users only) Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet. It's match day - here's the latest team news for Manchester United... Marouane Fellaini came off shortly after being brought on in the midweek defeat at Tottenham and faces a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Defender Eric Bailly and striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic remain absent and defender Daley Blind has been out with an ankle issue recently but Alexis Sanchez is in line to make his home debut for United.
Provisional squad: De Gea, Romero, Pereira, Valencia, Darmian, Jones, Lindelof, Smalling, Rojo, Shaw, Young, Matic, Carrick, McTominay, Herrera, Pogba, Lingard, Mata, Martial, Rashford, Sanchez, Lukaku. TEAM NEWS Man Utd: de Gea, Rojo, Smalling, Matic, Shaw, Mata, McTominay, Valencia, Sanchez, Lingard, Lukaku
Subs: Lindelof, Pogba, Martial, Carrick, Young, Rashford, Romero
February 6th marks the 60th anniversary of the tragedy, which saw 23 people - including 11 United players and staff - lose their lives as they returned from a European Cup tie at Red Star Belgrade.
It is customary for the club to pay tribute at the home game closest to the anniversary, with today's Premier League clash with Huddersfield the one.
Fans congregated outside the Munich plaque from 1.30pm for an annual event consisting of readings, prayers and a rendition of 'the Flowers of Manchester', while players wore black armbands and held a minute's silence before kick-off.
Supporters also received a commemorative pack containing a limited-edition book about the disaster, as well as a complimentary copy of the matchday programme. Manchester United paid tribute to the victims of the Munich air disaster before today's match.February 6th marks the 60th anniversary of the tragedy, which saw 23 people - including 11 United players and staff - lose their lives as they returned from a European Cup tie at Red Star Belgrade.It is customary for the club to pay tribute at the home game closest to the anniversary, with today's Premier League clash with Huddersfield the one.Fans congregated outside the Munich plaque from 1.30pm for an annual event consisting of readings, prayers and a rendition of 'the Flowers of Manchester', while players wore black armbands and held a minute's silence before kick-off.Supporters also received a commemorative pack containing a limited-edition book about the disaster, as well as a complimentary copy of the matchday programme. KICK-OFF!
We are underway at Old Trafford after an emotional minute's silence for the victims of the Munich air disaster. 12 mins: It's all United so far with the hosts having 83 per cent of possession, but there's no way past Lossl as the Huddersfield keeper saves from Lingard after a decent tackle from Sanchez.
It's all United so far with the hosts having 83 per cent of possession, but there's no way past Lossl as the Huddersfield keeper saves from Lingard after a decent tackle from Sanchez. 20 mins: United feel they should have a penalty here as Scott McTominay is wiped out inside the Huddersfield box and need treatment, but referee Stuart Attwell awards a drop ball outside the box and the Terriers clear. McTominay is not happy.
United feel they should have a penalty here as Scott McTominay is wiped out inside the Huddersfield box and need treatment, but referee Stuart Attwell awards a drop ball outside the box and the Terriers clear. McTominay is not happy. 27 mins: Rajiv van la Parra is up for villain of the day so far as he rolls around on the floor waiting for either a free kick or United to put the ball out of play - neither happen and the ball comes to him, so he pops up and starts dribbling! Very cheeky, and Jose Mourinho watches on in disbelief. 42 mins: More good work from Lossl denies Lingard - is it going to be another one of those frustrating days at home for United?
More good work from Lossl denies Lingard - is it going to be another one of those frustrating days at home for United? HALF TIME | Manchester United 0-0 Huddersfield
So, both sides are lacking a little inspiration at Old Trafford, with United feeling aggrieved that they were denied a penalty for Kongolo's high challenge on McTominay. Still, United really shouldn't be relying on penalty calls to be putting teams like the Terriers to the sword - especially at home. We're back underway - will there be any goals in the second half? GOAL! GOAL | Manchester United 1-0 Huddersfield | Romelu Lukaku 55' 55 mins: That's the breakthrough United desperately needed.
Juan Mata has been in fine form today, and Lukaku does well to send the Spaniard's drilled cross into the net with a well-taken volley. 65 mins: Mourinho is looking to close this one out as Pogba - dropped for today's match, of course - is on for Lingard. PENALTY TO UNITED! GOAL! GOAL | Manchester United 2-0 Huddersfield | Alexis Sanchez 68' 68 mins: Alexis Sanchez has scored his first goal for Manchester United - but there was a big slice of luck about it.
Michael Hefele was judged to have fouled the Chilean in the box, and Sanchez stepped up - Lossl saved the penalty, but the forward netted the rebound! United are safe save for a late, late, late fightback... Next
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Team news
Man Utd XI: de Gea, Rojo, Smalling, Matic, Shaw, Mata, McTominay, Valencia, Sanchez, Lingard, Lukaku
Subs: Lindelof, Pogba, Martial, Carrick, Young, Rashford, Romero
Huddersfield XI: Lossl, Jorgensen, Schindler, Kongolo, Smith, Billing, Hogg, Hadergjonaj, van La Parra, Quaner, Depoitre
Subs: Malone, Mooy, Coleman, Pritchard, Ince, Mounie, Hefele
Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)
Jose Mourinho will be hoping Manchester United can get back to winning ways in the Premier League after that disappointing defeat against Spurs at Wembley.
Alexis Sanchez makes his home United debut today after starting in the league for the first time on Wednesday as Premier League new boys Huddersfield come to Old Trafford.
But the biggest team news is that Paul Pogba is dropped to the bench by Mourinho and Scott McTominay starts in his place.
Three players are definitely missing through injury: Marouane Fellaini, Eric Bailly and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Fellaini managed just seven minutes of the Spurs defeat after picking up a knee injury and is expected to be out for weeks while Ibrahimovic and Bailly could be back for the Champions League game against Sevilla next month.
There will be a minute's silence ahead of kick-off to remember all those killed in the Munich Air Disaster. Tuesday marks 60 years since the tragedy.
Stick with us for all the action today LIVE from Old Trafford.
