Hull City 0 United 1

It was almost as if United's last four turbulent years were crammed into one match.  For more than ninety minutes the horrifying presence of a 0-0 draw hung over this match, reminding us all too vividly of the Van Gaal period while the threatening breaks the home side occasionally put together carried a distinct whiff of the hapless essence of Moyes.  

Thankfully the Mourinho-esque defensive organisation ensured that none of the breaks came to anything while the new boss's reputation for well-timed substitutions was certainly borne out when he brought on Rashford and Mkhitaryan to crank up the pressure that ultimately bring the winner that, well into stoppage time, was pure Fergie.   

Hull certainly did enough in the first half to suggest that the team's good start under Mike Phelan is no fluke.  They were well-organised in defence and carried a real threat going forward.  Snodgrass placed a free kick just wide and was denied at the far post by a fine defensive header from Shaw, while Hernandez also looked a potential goal threat and Huddlestone constantly impressed in midfield

Although Ibrahimovic showed quality every time he touched the ball, he was well marshalled by the excellent Curtis Davies at the back and the closest he came to registering a goal was with an impudent back heel, while Mata's glancing header straight at the keeper was United's only other first half effort of note. With Pogba having a quiet game in midfield and Fellaini's presence somewhat neutralised by an early yellow card, the Reds were struggling to exercise control over the game.

They remedied this as the game went on and, by the middle of the second half, were largely camped in enemy territory, though with little sense of a breakthrough until those crucial two changes came.  As the rain thrashed down, Mkhitaryan picked up the ball from deep and surged through the Hull midfield.  Ultimately the run only brought a free kick but notice of the cavalry charge to come had been given.

Then Rashford came on and within minutes was producing one of his trademark runs into the box, only for Jakupovic to deflect the ball wide of his far post.  Before that, Huddlestone had almost scored via a deflection off Bailly and Myler would thrash a shot over the bar as the game moved into its final stages.

But other than those moments it was all United.  Hull continued to defensive gamely, however, getting bodies in the way of everything the Reds could throw at them.  Then, just as the game appeared to be drifting to a goalless draw, Rooney managed to lose his marker wide on the left and drilled a cross across goal.  Inevitably, it was Rashford who was there to steer the ball home, set loose mad celebrations in the away end and add yet another remarkable chapter to his young United career.

Fergie, you suspect, would have been nodding approvingly.  For perhaps the first time in more than three years.