Zlatan scores twice, Pogba starts for Manchester United in win vs. Southampton

Manchester United won in Paul Pogba's return to the club, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice vs. Southampton.

SI Staff | Aug 19, 2016

Zlatan scores twice, Pogba starts for Manchester United in win vs. Southampton /

Manchester United's two new signings made headlines at Old Trafford Friday, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice and Paul Pogba mades his long-awaited return to the field for Manchester United–following four years at Juventus and a world-record transfer back to Old Trafford–going right into the starting lineup for a 2-0 win over Southampton.

Mourinho said not to expect Pogba to play 90 minutes or turn in a super performance, tempering expectations for the day, yet Pogba went the distance anyway, nearly scoring in stoppage time only to put his long-range blast wide of the post.

Pogba, who generally showed well in front of a pleased crowd that saw its team go to 2-0-0 on the young season, might have been consumed by nerves early on, springing Southampton for an early counterattack after this mistake with his first touches:

It was the other big-name summer addition who opened the scoring in the 36th minute, as Ibrahimovic powered a header home from the inside of the box off a Wayne Rooney cross to mark his home debut for the club in impressive fashion:

Zlatan Ibrahimovic breaks through for @ManUtd! #PLonNBC https://t.co/SAH3KazFLU
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) August 19, 2016

Manchester United doubled its lead in the 52nd minute, after Luke Shaw was tripped in the penalty area. Ibrahimovic buried it with a kick low and to the left, making it three league goals in two games and four goals in three matches across all competitions to kick off his United career.