Man Utd star Nemanja Matic urges caution despite stunning start to Premier League

NEMANJA MATIC’S two Premier League winners’ medals suggest he is a voice worth listening to when it comes to lasting the pace in the title race.

Nemanja MaticGETTY

Nemanja Matic has won two Premier Leagues with Chelsea

So Manchester United’s players would be wise to listen to his words of caution when he suggests that it is only going to get harder from here on in.

Matic was part of United manager Jose Mourinho’s title-winning side at Chelsea three seasons ago, then played a part for Antonio Conte’s set-up as they regained the trophy in May.

Surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, the midfielder has proved an inspired signing for a United side, who are significantly more ruthless than they were last season.

A convincing win over a Crystal Palace side in dire straits kept United in second place in the Premier League, behind leaders Manchester City only on goal difference heading into the international break.

The problem, as far as Matic is concerned, is that Premier League opponents will get wise to United’s pacy attacking style and are likely to find ways to combat it.

Marouane FellainiGETTY

Marouane Fellaini scored a double in the absence of Paul Pogba

“We cannot be relaxed for the future because we have to win more and focus,” said Matic. “The teams now know how we play, they know our formation, our players and, of course, in the future those will want to show they can play against Manchester United.

“We will be focused. We will be ready for that. It is going to be hard but that’s why we are here.”

United might have been weary, having only arrived home from Russia at 4am on Thursday after a 4-1 Champions League win over CSKA Moscow. Instead, they wasted little time in extending Palace’s miserable start to the season.

Juan Mata, making his 200th Premier League appearance, swept in Marcus Rashford’s cutback after three minutes and, although Palace had the odd moment of promise after that, United never looked back.

Marouane Fellaini, a player reborn under Mourinho’s management, scored either side of half-time, volleying in an Ashley Young cross and glancing another goal from a Rashford free-kick, before Romelu Lukaku tapped in an 11th goal in 10 United appearances following fine approach play by Anthony Martial.

We cannot be relaxed for the future

Manchester United star Nemanja Matic

While Lukaku has taken on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s mantle as United’s chief scorer, others are sharing the burden; Mata was the 10th player to score for Mourinho’s team in a season that is not yet two months old.

“We are being more efficient in front of goal,” said Mata. “It’s just down to confidence. Maybe it’s true that last season Zlatan was scoring almost every game.

"We tried to help with some goals but he was very responsible for our attack. But this season, everyone seems to enjoy the offensive duties.”

United, held to 15 league draws last season, are much more adept at finishing off opponents this time around; Mourinho’s team have won six of their seven opening games in the top flight, although they have yet to face any of the other likely title contenders.

Ray Wilkins blasts Chelsea for selling Matic to Man United

While they have reason for optimism, there is nothing but gloom for Palace. With seven games gone, they have no goals, no points and, seemingly, no hope.

It is the worst start to a league campaign ever by any side in the top four divisions of English football. It is not about to get any easier – they face Chelsea next.

To make matters even tougher, they will go into that game without arguably their three best attacking players; Christian Benteke has a knee injury and Wilfried Zaha a thigh strain, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is on loan from Stamford Bridge and cannot face his parent club.

“I can’t start to worry about those things,” said Hodgson. “We’ve got to pick ourselves up off the floor and make certain we don’t get beaten 4-0 by the next team we play.”

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