Premier League: Five questions heading into Gameweek 2

1. What to make of Manchester United’s performance?

The same way one has to take Chelsea’s opening week performance with a grain of salt, it would be wise for Manchester United fans to do the same. Despite what was an obviously impressive 4-0 result, it was against a team that is in transition at the moment. This gameweek against Wolverhampton Wanderers should be a better primer of where this team is currently.

That being said, all of United’s new arrivals shined. Newly minted centre back Harry Maguire looked as if he has been in that red jersey his entire life, right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka looked like he had gotten even faster and tougher to beat since his breakout season last year at Crystal Palace and Daniel James, the 21-year old Welch product fresh off his transfer from Swansea City got his first goal as a United player. All storybook stuff, really.

Marcus Rashford added a brace, one from the penalty spot and another from a magnificent pass over the top from Paul Pogba, who by all accounts played an outstanding game in the middle of the park. For as much gossip that follows the guy, when he’s on, he can really be on. There are few players in the world that can match him. And if all of that wasn’t enough, new no. 9 Anthony Martial finished off a beautiful low cross in the box to get his own goal. What more could you want from an attacking point of view?

But is United back? I’d probably pump the breaks on that. For now at least. They won’t face another top six side until the end of September and should be towards the top of the table come the winter. Their pace of play was a joy to watch against Chelsea. If they’re able to replicate that same type of intensity and finishing quality for any sustained amount of time, they’ll be a real threat to finish in the top four of the table and earn a birth back into the Champions League.

What do you think? Is Manchester United back in a real way?