Jose Mourinho and his 'happy football', Marcus Rashford jeered and Eric Bailly clears the stand... eight things you missed from Swansea vs Man United

  • Manchester United thrashed Swansea City 4-0 in the Premier League
  • Jose Mourinho claimed before the game his team are playing 'happy football'
  • Eric Bailly booted a clearance out of the Liberty Stadium just before he scored
  • Striker Marcus Rashford was booed by home fans after dive last season
  • Sky Sports attracted plenty of intrigue with their freestyle line-up graphics 

Manchester United continued their excellent start to the season with a 4-0 thrashing of Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.

Eric Bailly, Romelu Lukaku, Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial were on target in a straightforward win that keeps Jose Mourinho's men top of the Premier League table.

Here are eight things you might have missed from the match in south Wales.  


 

Mourinho has United playing 'happy football'

If the template of Jose Mourinho's career at all his other clubs is to hold true, Manchester United will be Premier League champions come May.

Mourinho usually always finds success in his second season and so it was little wonder the United boss proclaimed his team are playing 'happy football' during his pre-match television interview.

'At the moment this team is playing happy football, they're comfortable on the pitch,' Mourinho said.

And this rout would certainly keep the smile on his face. 

Contented Man United manager Jose Mourinho claims his team are playing 'happy football'

Contented Man United manager Jose Mourinho claims his team are playing 'happy football'

 

Sky's freestyle approach to team line-ups

In previous seasons, Sky's team line-up graphics have simply featured the players walking forward, folding their arms and looking serious.

At some point over the summer, their producers must have decided that was far too boring. This season, players were obviously told to strike whatever pose they fancied.

That's why we had Swansea defender Alfie Mawson showing off his tattoo sleeve while grabbing the badge.

United's defence, meanwhile, looked like a throwback to a pull-out poster of a boy band in Smash Hits magazine.

Swansea defender Alfie Mawson strikes a pose in Sky's unconventional line-up graphics

Swansea defender Alfie Mawson strikes a pose in Sky's unconventional line-up graphics

This Manchester United quartet, meanwhile, looked more like a boy band than a back four 

This Manchester United quartet, meanwhile, looked more like a boy band than a back four 

 

Winning the crossbar challenge

United were agonisingly close to opening the scoring in the first-half when Phil Jones headed a Juan Mata free-kick against the crossbar.

It didn't come as much of a surprise to regular United watchers - since the beginning of last season, United have struck the woodwork 21 times in the Premier League alone.

Only Tottenham (23) have been frustrated by the woodwork more times.

Phil Jones heads against the crossbar as Manchester United threaten in the opening stages

Phil Jones heads against the crossbar as Manchester United threaten in the opening stages

 

'Ave it!

United defender Eric Bailly was mocked in the first-half when his hoofed clearance under pressure gained such elevation it cleared the roof of the Liberty Stadium's west stand.

'We want our ball back,' chanted the home fans. Fortunately it wasn't on the side of the stadium that backs onto the River Tawe, though it may well have reached the main road or even the excellent Rossi's chippie.

Fortunately, Bailly was able to respond to the mockery by scoring a few minutes later.

 

Long memories in Swansea

There were jeers for young United striker Marcus Rashford right from the outset at the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea fans weren't going to let the teenager forget that he dived to win his team a penalty in the 1-1 draw between the two sides at Old Trafford back in April.

Rashford moved his leg towards goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski to ensure there was contact and referee Neil Swarbrick was deceived.

In the end, it didn't cost Swansea in terms of relegation but their fans wanted to ensure Rashford didn't forget.

Marcus Rashford (left) was jeered by Swansea fans having dived to win a penalty last season

Marcus Rashford (left) was jeered by Swansea fans having dived to win a penalty last season

 

Don't mess with Big Pete

As United laboured to make the breakthrough in the first-half, it was the performance of referee Jon Moss that attracted the ire of United legend Peter Schmeichel.

With Paul Pogba walking the tightrope after picking up an early booking, the former goalkeeper said Mourinho would have to consider subbing the Frenchman off before he was sent off.

The Dane then suggested even a few pints of Carlsberg might not calm down his opinion of Moss.

Schmeichel is given his marching orders by Robbie Hart in a United FA Cup match with Charlton back in 1994

Schmeichel is given his marching orders by Robbie Hart in a United FA Cup match with Charlton back in 1994

 

The perfect start

Manchester United's strikers - especially big money signings - are always keen to make a lightning fast start to life at Old Trafford.

Romelu Lukaku is no exception and his goal at the Liberty Stadium means he is the fifth United striker to score in his first two Premier League outings.

The others are Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Anthony Martial, Federico Macheda and Louis Saha.

Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring United's second goal at the Liberty Stadium

Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring United's second goal at the Liberty Stadium

Unorthodox marking

It's the perennial debate: which is the more effective? Zonal marking or man marking?

Well Eric Bailly took proximity in the box to new levels when keeping tabs on Kyle Bartley while defending a corner.

And it's fair to say the Swansea man was a little perplexed by his tactics.

Eric Bailly gets up, close and personal to Kyle Bartley while marking him at a corner

Eric Bailly gets up, close and personal to Kyle Bartley while marking him at a corner