Manchester United vs Leicester player ratings: Who impressed during an emphatic win for Jose Mourinho's men?

With Wayne Rooney benched, the hosts put in a near faultless display to smash four past the defending champions

Manchester United produced a first-half display as entertaining as it was dominant to swat aside reigning champions Leicester, with Jose Mourinho's decision to drop Wayne Rooney paying off.

An exceptional start to the campaign was followed by a stark drop-off after the international break, leading criticism and scrutiny to mount on United's manager, captain and overall set-up.

Mourinho pledged to "fight hard" in spiky programme notes and that showed as United ended a disappointing Premier League run by thrashing Leicester 4-1 thanks to a rampant first-half performance.

The big news before the match was that Rooney had been dropped to the bench, but the captain's absence appeared to help rather than hinder the Red Devils as Chris Smalling's header midway through the first half was followed by some exceptional football.

Juan Mata fired home impressively before turning a Daley Blind corner into the path of Marcus Rashford, with world-record signing Paul Pogba heading home his first goal for the club as United netted three times in five minutes

It was the first time since February 2001 that United had gone in at half-time of a Premier League match boasting a four-goal cushion, so they were always likely to struggle to match that display in the second half.

Substitute Demarai Gray's exceptional effort reduced the deficit and Leicester threatened another, but United held firm to avoid a third straight league defeat in comprehensive fashion.

How did we rate each player's performance at Old Trafford? Did Paul Pogba impress? Did Riyad Mahrez disappoint?

Take a look at the gallery above to find out.

Additional reporting by PA