Zlatan Ibrahimovic helped kick-start Manchester United’s new Premier League season as the Swede netted in a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth.
United got off to an uninspired start but came to life in the second-half as they fired in a further two goals to build on their fortuitious half-time lead.
Ibrahimovic proved key to United’s energetic second stanza as the big Swede caused problems with his passing on the edge of the box and threatened the defence with his power, and in particular, his aerial presence.
According to SASoccermag’s Opta-powered match stats, Ibrahimovic had two shots on target in the match have made 45 touches in his 90 minutes on the pitch. The forward came out on top in five of his 11 personal duels, while he made 27 of his 37 attempted passes.
The 34-year-old set up a great chance for Wayne Rooney around the 50-minute mark before testing the goalkeeper with a powerful free kick. The striker eventually got his goal when he powered to the edge of the box from deep and sent a powerful shot scooting along the turf into the far corner.
Photo: Premier League Website