Ibrahimovic, on his home debut in the English top flight, struck with a 36th-minute header and a second-half penalty to ensure Mourinho’s first match in charge at Old Trafford resulted in victory.
United, for whom Paul Pogba made his first start since rejoining the club from Juventus, gave a commanding performance with the Frenchman, Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney all playing significant roles.
Pogba began the match brightly, testing Fraser Forster after 13 minutes with a curling 20-yard strike from the left edge of the area, shortly after Southampton had suffered the costly loss of Oriel Romeu, their defensive midfielder, to a muscular injury.
The Saints did create chances of their own in the first half with Nathan Redmond turning Eric Bailly and crossing just beyond the unmarked Dusan Tadicon 18 minutes and Shane Long threatening twice, firstly with a shot on the turn on 26 minutes that rippled the side-netting, and then with a scuffed effort with his left foot which he perhaps took too early after being put through by Tadic.
But as the half wore on Mourinho’s men began to assume control. A lovely move instigated by a clipped pass from Pogba on the left brought a clever flick fromJuan Mataand an audacious acrobatic effort by Ibrahimovic which flew just wide.
The Swede was merely setting his sights, and would be more economicalnext time around. United took the leadwhen Rooney chased into the right corner unchecked to pick up an Antonio Valencia pass, and, showing great speed of thought, dispatched a deep cross which Ibrahimovic met, ahead of Jose Fonte, with a thumping header.
The travelling supporters thought theywere back in it when Tadic scored with a header of his own four minutes after the interval but the attempt was ruled out for offside, and within two minutes the visitors were two down.
Jordi Clasie, on for the injured Romeu,trippedLuke Shawas the full-back raced into the area, and Ibrahimovic did the rest from the spot.United were in assertive mood and Southampton, despite enjoying a good deal of possession, struggling to contend with the power and attacking verve of their hosts, epitomised by thecommanding Pogba.
Anthony Martial had to be denied on three occasions by Forster,Virgil van Dijkand thenCedric Soares, while Pogba cleared the bar with a towering header as Mourinho’s men threatened to run riot.
As it was there would be no more goals but with Ibrahimovic three goalsto the good for the fledgling season and Mourinho boasting two wins out of two already, Man Utd’s statement of intent had been made abundantly clear.
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