Hello! And welcome to our minute-by-minute coverage of this evening’s Premier League clash between Cardiff City and Manchester United.
What an occasion this promises to be, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer takes charge of his first game as interim Man Untied manager, coming up against all teams of his former side Cardiff City.
Jose Mourinho’s departure was in some ways a shock and in others not a big surprise at all. His side suffered their worst start to a Premier League season in over two decades and currently occupy sixth spot in the table.
Solskjaer, a United legend through and through, has a big job on his hands if he is to successfully secure a top four finish and Champions League football for next season, and it all gets underway here tonight.
Kick-off is coming up at 5.30pm!
So, today’s teams will line out as:
Cardiff City: Etheridge, Ecuele Manga, Morrison, Bamba, Cunningham, Gunnarsson, Hoilett, Victor Camarasa, Arter, Murphy, Paterson.
Substitutes: Peltier, Ralls, Zohore, Smithies, Reid, Mendez-Laing, Harris.
Manchester United: de Gea, Young, Jones, Lindelof, Shaw, Herrera, Matic, Pogba, Lingard, Rashford, Martial.
Substitutes: Bailly, Mata, Pereira, Fred, Dalot, Romero, Fellaini.
Some pre-game reading ahead of kick-off:
- ‘I’ve got a hairdryer, just like Sir Alex’: Solskjaer warns Man United players
- ‘He’s definitely the man’ – Scholes backs Pochettino for Man United job
- ‘False!’ – Alexis Sanchez denies claims that he bet on United sacking Mourinho
- ‘They’ve thrown him under the bus’ – Roy Keane blasts Man United players over treatment of Mourinho
- ‘I’ll speak to the ones who are not playing…I don’t think anyone has been on the bench more than me’
The big team news sees the return of Paul Pogba to the Manchester United line-up this evening. The French midfielder’s battles with Jose Mourinho were well documented and he will be hoping for a clean slate under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Pogback! 👊
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 22, 2018
Paul Pogba returns to the starting XI for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first match in charge of Manchester United...
We're live from Cardiff at 5pm on BT Sport 1 HD and 4K UHD 📺 pic.twitter.com/0Lrv6abbTv
KICK-OFF: We’re underway in Cardiff for the first half!
Early pressure from Man United sees Pogba get on the ball in a promising advanced position just outside the box. He attempts a quick give-and-go with Jesse Lingard, before being hauled to the ground. A free-kick in a decent position to come.
GOAL! CARDIFF 0-1 MAN UNITED (RASHFORD 3)
GOOOOOOOAAAALLL!!! The Solskjaer era gets up and running with a goal inside just three minutes. It’s a brilliant free-kick struck from 25 yards via the right boot of Marcus Rashford. It’s a powerful effort which flies through the air before finding a spot low in Neil Etheridge’s bottom corner. A great finish and United are 1-0 up already. What a start to this game!
There’s been a really frantic start to this game and the atmosphere inside the Cardiff City Stadium is electric. Rashford’s early free-kick sent the away fans into an early ecstasy and also saw a big, wide smile spread across the face of his new manager. This management stuff is easy, Ole might be thinking.
There’s been 67% possession in favour of Man United. The opening ten minutes has been dominated by the visitors, with Neil Warnock’s men struggling to maintain the ball and instead being forced back into their own half.
A stoppage in play here after Callum Paterson and Luke Shaw collided heads, with both players leaping high for a header after a cross was swung into the box. It was a nasty clash for both players and there could be an early switch here.
Both players have been given the green light to continue on and play resumes. The pace has somewhat slowed down following a chaotic opening spell. Harry Arter and Victor Camarasa are beginning to push forward a lot more to try and allow Cardiff to get back into this.
Paul Pogba almost gets on the end of an inviting Ashley Young free-kick curled into the penalty area, but Sol Bamba did well to anticipate the cross and head clear for a corner kick. United still very much maintaining the upper hand.
Nemanja Matic was looming unmarked towards the back post, but the corner passes everybody by as the danger comes to an end. Cardiff with just one sight at goal so far as the half-hour mark approaches. Callum Paterson has been an isolated presence up front.
GOAL! CARDIFF 0-2 MAN UNITED (HERERRA 29)
GOOOOOOOOOALLLLL! Man United are two to the good as Ander Hererra gets his second goal in December to double his side’s advantage. On first viewing it was a thunderbolt effort from distance, however subsequent replays show the Spaniard’s shot took a wicked deflection off Ireland defender Greg Cunningham before flying past goalkeeper Etheridge. It’s 2-0 and Solskjaer’s men are flying it.
Here are the two goals:
GOAL
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 22, 2018
Rashford's free kick gives the new #MUFC boss the perfect start....
Follow live: https://t.co/CNM3VdNsIT pic.twitter.com/PuHJTxku83
BEAUTY FROM HERRERA
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 22, 2018
It is all going to plan for #MUFC as Pogba finds Herrera to fire home from 25 yards and United lead 2-0.
Follow live: https://t.co/CNM3VdNsIT pic.twitter.com/MTdTOVkLP0
GOAL! CARDIFF 1-2 MAN UNITED (CAMARASA 38)
GOOOOOALLLLLL! Cardiff have halved the deficit from the penalty spot after goalscorer Marcus Rashford was penalised for handling the ball inside the box. Michael Oliver deemed the striker’s shoulder to have guided the ball as Rashford tried to control it, with Victor Camarasa succeeding in doing the damage with a sweet strike to beat De Gea. It’s 2-1 and game on!
GOAL! CARDIFF 1-3 MAN UNITED (MARTIAL 41)
GOOOOOOAL! Man United have a third and the goals are flying in left, right and centre here. On his 100th appearance for the club Anthony Martial scores his 8th goal in as many games, the French forward capping off an excellent passage of passes which flummoxed Cardiff. Supreme, tiki-taka stuff from United and it’s 3-1.
MUFC’s sold out end has been bouncing since 30 mins before the match - outside the ground, under the stands and inside. Half five kick off, festivities, great goals...and a new manager. pic.twitter.com/nE5swC3fW6
— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) December 22, 2018
That Camarasa penalty had the possibility of igniting a potential Cardiff comeback here, but Martial’s excellent finish has sucked the life out of the home supporters and Neil Warnock’s men too. They have a mountain to climb in the second half as stoppage time approaches.
HALF-TIME: CARDIFF 1-3 MAN UNITED
So far, so good for Solskjaer's men#CARMUN pic.twitter.com/cDNQOzMVX5
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 22, 2018
A mad opening 45 minutes, but such an entertaining game with four goals to boast. Man United really do have a renewed sense of confidence about them and the infamous new manager “bounce” is taking shape for Ole in the dugout. His side have been brilliant so far this evening, with Anthony Martial’s goal some of the best football United have played all year. They lead 3-1 with more action to come very shortly in Cardiff.
SECOND-HALF: We’re back underway for another 45 minutes!
But I thought we were told Manchester United didn't have the players to play this sort of football? Even against a side like Cardiff City. Curious.
— Greg Johnson (@gregianjohnson) December 22, 2018
United again taking up where they left off, with Pogba, Matic and Hererra bossing the midfield battle against Arter and Camarasa. Cardiff struggling to hold onto the ball for any sustained period of time, with chances at goal non-existent at the moment.
A one-two between Pogba and Rashford sees the latter race through on goal inside the box. His eyes light up as the forward prepares for a shot at goal, but Etheridge races from his goal-line and gathers smartly.
PENALTY TO MAN UNITED!
Jesse Lingard dances through a host of challenges before going down inside the area after a foul by Sol Bamba. Michael Oliver had no doubt and points to the spot straight away. A big chance to put this game to bed for the visitors here.
GOAL! CARDIFF 1-4 MAN UNITED (LINGARD 57)
GOOOOOOOOOOAL! Man United are running away with this now as Jesse Lingard slots his spot-kick away smartly to make it 4-1. There was some disagreement between himself and Paul Pogba over who would take it, but the England international was not taking no for answer and did well to beat Neil Etheridge.
If this game looked beyond Cardiff before Lingard’s penalty, it sure does now. Neil Warnock’s men have struggled all throughout this game and have had to take a back-seat as United stroll the ball left and right before applying pressure in the final third.
Almost a fifth for United as Marcus Rashford’s run behind enemy lines is picked out with a clever pass. Etheridge races from his goal-line and closes the space, with Rashford’s effort slipping narrowly wide of the bottom corner. Close, but no cigar.
SAVE! David De Gea with a smart, low stop down by his bottom left corner. Quick reaction times from the Spaniard denies Josh Murphy the chance to get on the scoresheet with a dangerously curled shot from inside the box.
Alexis Sanchez is loving it.
⚽️💪🏽💪🏽⚽️ https://t.co/GaTmRivxLA
— Alexis Sánchez (@Alexis_Sanchez) December 22, 2018
SAVE! Another excellent stop, this time at the other end from Neil Etheridge. Paul Pogba lined up an audacious effort from considerable distance, but Philippines international did brilliantly to tip it over the crossbar.
Sol Bamba almost gets on the scoresheet with a close-range header. He did well to beat Phil Jones to the cross, but he should have done better to hit the target from that range and test De Gea — instead his effort flies wide.
Cardiff looking a lot more impressive late on here. Second half introduction Kenneth Zohore skips by Victor Lindelof and gets his shot off, but De Gea stands his ground and bats the ball away to keep it at 4-1.
Substitution for Man United: Fred replaces Marcus Rashford.
.@Fred08oficial replaces @MarcusRashford with 10 minutes left on the clock. #CARMUN #MUFC pic.twitter.com/MdVPKPGy0A
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 22, 2018
The game is slowly petering towards the end now. The away section is hopping with the sound of jubilant Man United fans as their side are on course for their second Premier League win in six games.
Off the bench and looking to impress his new (interim) boss, Fred threads a brilliant through ball down the middle of the pitch for Jesse Lingard. He tries to pick out Anthony Martial, but Joe Ralls closes the space and ends the attack.
Substitution for Man United: Andreas Pereira replaces Anthony Martial, Marouane Fellaini replaces Nemanja Matic.
Our final substitutions:@AnthonyMartial and @NemanjaMatic off@AndrinhoPereira and @Fellaini on pic.twitter.com/WwRcqXS2MJ
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 22, 2018
GOAL! CARDIFF 1-5 MAN UNITED (LINGARD 89)
GOOOOOOOOAAALLL! It’s the perfect end to this game for Man United as Jesse Lingard grabs his second of the night to make it 5-1. He runs through behind enemy lines, latching onto Paul Pogba’s through ball before rounding Neil Etheridge and slotting the ball into the back of the net.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time to come at the end of the second half.
FULL-TIME: CARDIFF 1-5 MAN UNITED
FULL-TIME Cardiff 1-5 Man Utd
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 22, 2018
Goals from Rashford, Herrera, Martial and Lingard (2) get the Solskjaer era off to a brilliant start#CARMUN pic.twitter.com/XG4CHHgW96
Well, there we have it. The perfect start to life in charge of Man United for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Five goals and a massive three points for the new interim boss on the road against a very disappointing Cardiff side who were never really in the game. Thanks a million for joining us this evening, you can read our full match report here. Cya!
Ole ✊ pic.twitter.com/JKRFsxM4F4
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 22, 2018
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Congratulations Bulgaria on avoiding the drop.
@Rian O’Sullivan: game has just started mellonhead
@Rian O’Sullivan: Aged so well
@Rian O’Sullivan: your silence is deafening
@Rian O’Sullivan: you bell end
@Joe Beirne: Bulgaria will be through 100%
@anthony davoren: Easy win for Bulgaria 2nd leg
@Rian O’Sullivan: alright Jose, you’re some useless fkr
@Rian O’Sullivan: Ye sad sack o’ shyte
@Rian O’Sullivan: Congratulations to you on never being in competition with Nostradamus. Your predictions are, for some reason, designed to get attention. Well you have it now. It ain’t good attention. You look like someone that needs some help to be honest.
@Rian O’Sullivan: Rian ‘Traitor O Sullivan’
I love how Didi Hamman keeps calling Ireland “we” lol
C’MON IRELAND
@Lance Taylor: stop talking to yourself man, it’s embarrassing.
@Eoin Jackson: its ray talking to himself again
Well Well Well na sayer’s what a goal by finn now in the lead come on lad’s
@SEAN: The misery from them is unbelievable. Sean. It makes you wonder what their story is.
@Louis Jacob: And all the likes their getting unreal same with the rugby
@SEAN: yep, ten times the likes over any other post … Bots at work
All the journal guys showing up
@Chutes Idiot: Good one, enjoyed that.
@Chutes Idiot: sport fan’s ray not guys who come on once everyweek
@Lance Taylor: WGAF
@Lance Taylor: who is likeing your comment how weird
@Chutes Idiot: ya know the laws of the mind? What’s unhealed in one’s mind is projected onto another, so I’m guessing you’ve just held up a mirror for yourself with those questions
@Chutes Idiot: whos liking all your comments unreal is there bots on here now
Tod Flanders on commentary surely someone else.
@Rian o Sullivan. F*** U.
Is anyone watching” Resident Alien” on netflix? Have you noticed the remarkable similarity between the alien and Heimer?
Is it me or is there a lack in Cullen
@DonalDollery: lack of what?
@Donal O’Brien an ability to play In midfield
They are a very poor Ireland side. Probably the worst I have seen
@John Hally: 2 1 up so nope
@John Hally: we are a better team than 2/3 years ago. Admittedly a low bar
Ah well
Please take Mike’s Johnson off
@DonalDollery: yeah he’s not good enough, can sometimes make an impact from the bench. luckily when ogbene and ebosele are back he will not be near the starting lineup
@DonalDollery: thought he was doing OK
No matter how shit your team is we ll make you look good.
@Gerard Lynch: we are winning 2-1 Gerard…
@Eoin Jackson: it was 1-0 to Bulgaria when I posted that. And while it’s nice we are winning 2-1 Bulgaria are crap. And we ain’t much better. And I still stand by my comment.
@Gerard Lynch: we’re winning away from home. Try and wash the vinegar from your mouth. It isn’t 1990 anymore
@anthony davoren: why should I. I ve been following Ireland since the 70s. It’s my bleeding opinion and I m entitled to it.
@Gerard Lynch: while I agree with you this Irish team are no world beaters, far from it. I struggle to agree with the comment that we’ve made this Bulgaria team look good. At no point tonight have I thought Bulgaria have looked good. One lucky goal. Now we have been shocking for large part ourselves. But there is clearly a better side on the pitch tonight. And it’s not Bulgaria.
@Gerard Lynch: calm down jarry
@Gerard Lynch: ok boomer.
@Eoin Jackson: we were shit. Norn iron bet them 5-0.
@Joe Beirne: piss off jolene.
@Anthony Curran: ok snowflake
@Gerard Lynch: ohh what an original retort…. Who do you think we are? We are a small nation doing our best to improve our football team. You’re banging on like we should be competing with frggn Argentina!
One has made their contribution
This is the worstirish tea I’ve ever seen n
@DonalDollery: what tea you drinking? Can’t be Barrys anyway.
@Eoin Jackson: that tetleys is dirt
@Eoin Jackson: it’s not green either
@DonalDollery: try drinking it instead of watching it