Ibrahimovic scores in debut, Man U rolls

Zlatan Ibrahimovic opened his account in the EPL as Manchester United cruised to a 3-1 win against Bournemouth on the south coast.

There was little between the two sides in a tight first half with neither keeper being particularly tested, before a mistake from Simon Francis just before the break gifted Man United an opener.

The Cherries defender knocked a weak back pass to Artur Boruc who managed to clear the ball with Juan Mata putting him under pressure, but his clearance struck Francis before rolling back towards the Bournemouth goal which allowed Mata the easiest of tap ins.

In the second half, Man United started strongly before doubling their lead just before the hour mark.

Antonio Valencia was given space to venture forward down the right all afternoon and on 59 minutes his cross picked out Anthony Martial, who sliced his shot wide of the target but into the path of Wayne Rooney, and the Man United captain showed great skill and composure to head the ball back across goal and into the bottom corner.

That goal took the wind out of Bournemouth and Man United quickly took advantage with a third just five minutes later.

Ibrahimovic was given far too much space 25 yards from goal and the summer signing took his time before firing into the bottom corner with a clinical finish.

The Cherries were given a glimmer of hope on 69 minutes when Adam Smith pulled one back with a fine finish from inside the area but that goal only improved the concentration of the visitors for the final 20 minutes, and Jose Mourinho's side comfortably cruised to an impressive victory on the opening weekend of the season.