Wigan vs Manchester United match report: Henrikh Mkhitaryan impresses as Jose Mourinho makes winning start

Wigan Athletic 0 Manchester United 2: Second-half goals from Will Keane and Andreas Pereira secured victory for Mourinho in his first match in charge of United

Jose Mourinho waves to the crowd after Manchester United's 2-0 win over Wigan (Getty)

Will Keane and Andreas Pereira scored the first goals of the Jose Mourinho era as Manchester United strolled to a routine victory against Wigan Athletic in the Portuguese's first match in charge.

Mourinho handed starts to new signings Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan for the short trip up the M61 as Luke Shaw returned from his ten-month absence following a double leg fracture against PSV Eindhoven in September.

But it was Mkhitaryan who stood out for the visitors before his withdrawal at half-time. Central to everything his new side could conjure in the early stages at the DW Stadium, the £26m capture from Borussia Dortmund forced Mourinho’s men forward when they would perhaps have previously dug in the trenches.

In just 45 minutes, Mkhitaryan showed the swagger and arrogance that United badly lacked during Louis van Gaal’s ill-fated two years at Old Trafford. Linking up neatly with Memphis Depay, whose struggles became synonymous with his ex-manager's failings last season, the Armenian international brought out the best in his new colleagues.

United’s first opening came when Ander Herrera seized upon a loose ball on 24 minutes before splitting Wigan’s defence open with a pinpoint pass to Mkhitaryan down the right flank. Toying with two Latics defenders, almost sadistically so, the former Shakhtar midfielder then found Depay unmarked at the far post.

Juan Mata celebrates with Will Keane after the latter scored the opening goal (Getty)

The woes which blighted Van Gaal’s tenure weren’t entirely exorcised, however, as was shown when Depay conspired to miss from just three yards out. Mourinho, never once sitting down, barking orders relentlessly, had his head in his hands, albeit briefly.

It got better in the second half. Despite opting to rest Mkhitaryan ahead of the International Champions Cup trip to China next week, Mourinho’s United found more rhythm in the second period. In truth, though, they were gifted their first goal when Jussi Jaaskelainen’s clearance hit Juan Mata’s midriff in his own penalty area.

Jose Mourinho shakes hands with Daley Blind after the 2-0 win over Wigan (Getty)

The Spaniard, ruthlessly cut adrift by Mourinho at Chelsea in 2014, slid the ball across to Keane to tuck it into an empty net from five yards out. There was an air of fortune about United’s second, too, when substitute Ashley Young cut his free-kick across the edge of the penalty area to Mata, forcing a rushed block which fell perfectly into Pereira’s path.

The 20-year-old Brazilian’s powerful drive effectively ended the match as a spectacle from thereon in, nullifying any chance of a Wigan comeback. In the end, Mourinho made 11 changes, eight at half-time and another three in the second-half, as he took a good look at the options available to him.

Eric Bailly celebrates with Andreas Pereira after he scored the second goal (Getty)

Speaking at his Old Trafford coronation earlier in the month, the 53-year-old said he needed just four new players to restore United to their former glories. The former Porto and Inter Milan boss is unlikely to have changed that opinion after a decent, if unremarkable, debut in the dugout.

Just a friendly, perhaps, but Mourinho’s touch-line capers told a different story. Howling at every loose pass one minute, hugging the very same player the next, there is no chance of Mourinho becoming more Jekyll than Hyde this season.