Sanchez-inspired United cruise past Huddersfield

After Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Burnley in Saturday’s early kick off, Manchester United went into this one looking to close the gap between themselves and Premier League leaders Manchester City to 13 points, whilst Huddersfield were attempting to ensure that they did not end the day in the bottom three.

United dominated possession throughout, with Jonas Lossl in the visiting goal making a number of saves to keep Huddersfield in the game.

Jesse Lingard had the first real effort of the match as his low strike was kept out by Lossl, before Chris Smalling failed to find a team-mate after meeting a free-kick from the right.

With 19 minutes on the clock United thought they had a penalty as Scott McTominay - preferred in midfield to Paul Pogba - was poleaxed by Terence Kongolo, but the referee was unmoved.

Alexis Sanchez saw an effort from the edge of the box palmed away by Lossl as United dominated the first 45, without finding a breakthrough.

The Chilean was clearly keen to mark his first appearance at Old Trafford with a goal as he saw another low effort well fielded by Lossl just minutes later.

However, that was about as close as United got in the first half and the two teams went in at the break level.

- Second half pressure - 

Clearly frustrated not to have been leading, United came out fired up for the second period and almost took an immediately lead, only for Sanchez to be denied by a fine block from Tommy Smith.

Sanchez continued have the door shut in his face as he saw several efforts blocked but the pressure eventually told and United took the lead.

Juan Mata was fed out on the left and the Spaniard sent in a perfect ball for Romelu Lukaku to get the run on his man and guide the ball past Lossl at the near post.

From that point on there only ever looked like being one winner and so it proved.

With 68 minutes gone, United were handed a chance to seal the win as substitute Michael Hefele tripped Sanchez in the box to give the hosts a penalty.

Sanchez stepped up and whilst his initial effort was saved by Lossl, the ball fell kindly for the Chilean to convert the rebound to start his Old Trafford career with a goal.

United eased to the win from that point, keeping the ball with such ease you could have been forgiven for thinking that it was a training session.

Huddersfield failed to mount a late comeback, meaning that United recorded a comfortable 2-0 victory.