10 things we learnt from Man United 4-0 West Ham

This was a fairy tale start to the season: goals, new players, top of the table and the most fantastical show we've seen at OT since like forever and Mourinho's biggest win at home. Here are 10 things we learnt.

1. It’s never too early to start accumulating points – but if those three points come with a superior goal difference, then the game is on. During the break, I remembered thinking how sad it would be if José Mourinho revered to a defensive game. I knew it was a possibility but felt we’d lose out since it had been so open. However, when the boys came out firing, all hope was restored and if you were at OT, the chants went on all game long.

2. We have missed a real midfielder for so long, I even forgot football can be played like that. Nemanja Matic, you sir are magic.

I don’t know what happened but suddenly, the balls were moving forward, he was talking quick turns, he was spreading the balls left and right. He was there running forward and defending… Matic has reminded us what a football brain and skills can do to a game. #OurGain also seemed to tip the scales against Chelsea, and even this early in the season, I don’t mind it.

3. Romelu Lukaku is a number 9 and he’s our number 9.

One thing I love about being a tested player in the EPL is that you don’t get to disappoint. Think RVP when he joined Man United or even Rooney when he came on (the good old days)… it was the same – hit the ground running and then just be great. Lukaku has given us something we did not have: goal presence and it was awesome.

4. Marcus Rashford is not a kid, not any more.

Last week, we were discussing in the office how Rashford is in his third season – third, can you believe it? But what’s even better was what we can see from those sprints he makes – he will stretch any defense and he will also score. Bad luck with the goal post that cost him his goal, but as we say back at home – you can smell it!

5. Anthony Martial is in season one mode – lethal and ice cold.

If you complained about his exclusion during the Super cup, especially after Lingard’s LVG shenanigans of hit and miss, you are not alone. But AM11 showed us why he is who he is, and he’s back to his unsmiling, ice-cold celebrations. #ILoveIt and that should scare any defender out there because that turn, that clinical finish… that assist, that verve… Martial is back.

• The difference between Martial and Rashford for me is very clear: While Rashford was very fast with quick hits making it near impossible to mark him on the move, Martial is equally fast but has a predatory vibe to him that’s going to come in very handy when other teams pack the bus. He can slow down the game to wait for support and also releases the ball rather accurately.

6. Wing play was always the Manchester United play. If you wondered why you loved the game so much, if you sat there, heart pounding, grinning and just feeling a cloud of bliss is because you were witnessing the Manchester United style of play. This was made possible by two key things:

• Pace of the wingers, notable Rashford and later Martial who seem to play from the same book of getting the ball and running with it while passing to oneself and then running faster… Usain Bolt may be out, but we still got our speedsters.

• The service from the midfield was superb. Did you notice that, unless they were able to make screamers (Blind) or close to target (Mkhitaryan); they released the ball forward. Even Mata and Valencia kept to this – feed the strikers and support them. There were not glory kicks and we did not see that back and forth because the strikers went forward expecting the ball. This is part of what made it seem effortless.

7. Height is a power all on its own.

I am not just talking about Fellaini’s frame, but many times, West Ham (sorry Chicharito, but we are now rivals) were denied service even from long balls because we simply have a taller team. The aerial prowess in the midfield and way out in front was also an advantage.

8. We must recognize that Phil Jones and his performance and hope he can remain fit for the season.

Of the pair defenders left by SAF, Smalling’s last few outings have been very inconsistent in a dangerous sort of way and we cannot afford weakness.

9. The midfield rotation is what comes when you have very technically gifted players:

If you noticed the movement between Matic, Mkhitaryan, Mata and Pogba - you’d see they could kind of read each other, giving support and break out together going forward. That is also why the speeds made by Lukaku or Rashford or Martial never seemed wasted.

10. This is José Mourinho’s team: Allow me to say three things on this matter… which we have also featured in Monday’s motivation:

José Mourinho does not usually need the team to gel – he makes it gel and this is happening even with key players in place.

• You saw his efficiency when he selected Jones and left out Herrera and even Martial. He needs to win.

• Secondly, it is important to note that the Chelsea team that won last season was Mourinho’s. He seems to have mastered the requirements of the EPL and that is why, #Sorrybutnotsorry to Wenger, but this is a brutal game that requires strength of mind, body and intimidation.

• From the moment we scored the 3rd goal Manchester United and Mourinho in particular wrote his mind games and game tactics there and then. He was able to make the right statement, the best statement and by all things – three points and 4 goals is the best performance he’s got at Old Trafford and he deserves it.

What else did you learn from this game?