Manchester United Beat Wigan 2-0 In Jose Mourinho’s First Game As Manager

Jose Mourinho’s reign as Manchester United manager began with a comfortable 2-0 road pre-season friendly-match victory over Wigan Athletic on Saturday thanks to goals from Will Keane and Andreas Pereira. 

Manchester United Beat Wigan 2-0 In Jose Mourinho’s First Game As Manager

The Portuguese watched as his newest signings, Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, made their debuts for the Red Devils, while 21-year-old left-back Luke Shaw played 45 minutes following his recovery from a broken leg he suffered last September.

Just four minutes into the second half, Finnish Wigan goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen sent his clearance to United midfielder Juan Mata. The Spaniard then fed Keane, who fired the ball into the net for a 1-0 United lead.

Then in the 59th minute, Ander Herrera’s shot from Ashley Young’s free-kick resulted in the ball falling loose in the box and Andreas Pereira was there to swivel and fire the ball past Jaaskelainen and into the top-left corner to double the Red Devils’ lead.

Mkhitaryan sent a low ball in the 25th minute to Dutch winger Memphis Depay, who fired wide with his right foot when it appeared a left-foot shot was the better choice.

Ten minutes later, it was Mkhitaryan who misfired. The Armenian midfielder leaned back and sent his shot over the crossbar.

Wigan offered very little in the second half, and Mourniho’s men seemed content to maintain control of the ball. Young maneuvered through the penalty area and fired a cross into the side netting with 20 minutes remaining.

Nick Powell, who left United at the end of last season, came on for Wigan in the 72nd minute and committed several tackles that would have sent him off in a competitive match, with Mata shooting a free kick into the box from one of his fouls that bounced off several players and just skimmed the post.

United will next face Borussia Dortmund on Friday and hometown rival Manchester City on July 25, while Wigan will next play Macclesfield Town in another pre-season friendly on Wednesday.

WIGAN, ENGLAND – JULY 16: Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho looks on during the pre season friendly match between Wigan Athletic and Manchester United at the JJB Stadium on July 16, 2016 in Wigan, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena