A Paul Pogba inspired Manchester United side dispatched Fenerbahce 4-1 at Old Trafford in Group A of the UEFA Europa League.

Pogba silences critics

Pogba, who has been heavily criticised by many, scored two goals in the first half of the game to set United on their way to a convincing three points.

Anthony Martial also scored in the first half before Jesse Lingard added a fourth just after half-time.

Before the end of the game, though, Robin van Persie scored on his return to Old Trafford to give his side a consolation goal as the United fans applauded their former striker.

The result means Jose Mourinho's men move up to second in the group at the halfway stage as both sides will meet again in two weeks in Istanbul.

Three goals in fifteen minutes set hosts up for big win

After a pretty poor opening half-hour, the game came to life as United netted three times in 15 minutes to go in at half-time with a comfortable lead.

Mourinho made seven changes from the game against Liverpool on Monday night and it was one of them that played a big part in the first goal.

Michael Carrick, it was who played a wonderful long ball over the top of the visitor's defence to find Juan Mata, who was brought down in the box by Simon Kjaer and the referee pointed straight to the spot.

Pogba stood up to take it and confidently slotted the ball into the net to give the hosts exactly what they needed.

Not long after the first penalty, the referee was pointing to the spot again as a lovely through ball from Mata played Martial in on goal and he was fouled this time by Sener Ozbayrakli, who was lucky he didn't get his marching orders.

Martial scored United's second from the penalty spot | Photo: James Baylis - AMA / Getty Images
Martial scored United's second goal from the penalty spot | Photo: James Baylis - AMA / Getty Images

Martial took the penalty this time round and put the ball into the net in the same corner as Pogba did for the first.

Just when you thought United were going in with a 2-0 lead at half-time, Pogba scored an absolute stunner to round off a fantastic move.

Wayne Rooney played a good cross into the box to Lingard, who in turn laid the ball back into the path of Pogba and he curled the ball into the top corner of the net with the last kick of the first half.

Lingard added a fouth goal early in the second half

United started the second half as they ended the first as they got their fourth goal within three minutes of the restart.

Rooney laid the ball back to Lingard on the edge of the box and he smashed the ball home giving the visitor's goalkeeper no chance at all in the goal.

Lingard celebrates scoring United's fourth goal on the night | Photo: Matthew Peters / Getty Images
Lingard celebrates scoring United's fourth goal on the night | Photo: Matthew Peters / Getty Images

After getting the fourth goal, though, it was only normal that United took their foot off the gas as they wanted to see the game out without any difficulties.

Mata though should have made it five for Mourinho's men when a lovely move from the hosts found Mata through on goal but he saw his shot saved.

Van Persie scored on his Old Trafford return

Just before the end of the game, Van Persie on his return to Old Trafford, scored for his new team which the United faithful applauded heavily.

The goal was created by Emmanuel Emenike, who came on as a second-half substitute and played a wonderful cross into the box which the former United striker finished off to give the visitor's a consolation goal on the night.

Despite the goal giving them some confidence, the visitors couldn't manage another goal as United saw the game out comfortably to go second in Group A at the halfway stage.

Van Persie applauds the United fans after scoring on his return | Photo: Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images
Van Persie applauds the United fans after scoring on his return | Photo: Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images
VAVEL Logo
About the author