Manchester United 2 Huddersfield 0: Alexis Sanchez scores first goal for Red Devils as Old Trafford remembers Munich air disaster

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Tom Doyle3 February 2018

Alexis Sanchez scored his first goal for Manchester United as the Red Devils paid tribute to the Munich air disaster victims with a 2-0 Premier League win against Huddersfield at Old Trafford.

Romelu Lukaku scored United's opener with a well-taken volley 55 minutes into the game after Huddersfield kept the Red Devils at bay in the first half, while Sanchez got off the mark for his new club with a touch of fortune.

Sanchez saw his 68th-minute penalty saved by Terriers goalkeeper Jonas Lossl, but the Chile forward was quickest to react to tap home and make the game safe on a poignant day for United.

February 6th marks the 60th anniversary of the Munich air tragedy, which saw 23 people - including 11 United players and staff - lose their lives as they returned from a European Cup tie at Red Star Belgrade.

munhud030218l.jpg, by Tom Doyle
Getty Images

It is customary for the club to pay tribute at the home game closest to the anniversary, with today's Premier League clash with Huddersfield the one.

Fans congregated outside the Munich plaque from 1.30pm for an annual event consisting of readings, prayers and a rendition of 'the Flowers of Manchester', while players wore black armbands and held a minute's silence before kick-off.

And United ensured a difficult day ended with three points following a much-improved second-half display.

Huddersfield struggled to create clear-cut chances in their first league trip to Old Trafford since March 1972 but dug deep in the first half to frustrate the hosts, who claimed a penalty when Terence Kongolo poleaxed Scott McTominay.

United were struggling for a creative spark but went up a gear after half-time, going ahead within 10 minutes of the restart when Lukaku smartly turned home a Juan Mata cross.

Man Utd via Getty Images

Sanchez won a penalty and saw it saved, only to turn home the rebound on his Old Trafford debut as United bounced back from the midweek loss at Tottenham, extending Huddersfield's winless Premier League run to an eighth match.

United showed spirit to break down the visitors on a day when the club remembered those killed so tragically in 1958.

Hundreds of fans congregated under the Munich plaque to pay their respects outside Old Trafford. When inside, they received a commemorative pack containing a book telling the story of the disaster along with a complimentary programme and letter from Ed Woodward.

Man Utd via Getty Images

"(Munich) is forever woven into the fabric of this club's history," the executive vice-chairman wrote in a letter to fans who impeccably observed a minute's silence.

United started the match on the front foot and Jesse Lingard was soon racing through, only to fire straight at Jonas Lossl. Chris Smalling got away a tame header as the Terriers continued to be starved of possession.

AFP/Getty Images

Town's players were making their presence felt, though, and the Old Trafford faithful were up in arms as not only was McTominay forcibly bundled over by Kongolo but referee Stuart Attwell did not point to the spot.

AFP/Getty Images

Town fans were also growing irritated with the officials, but Philip Billing was walking a fine line with some of his challenges - and Rajiv van La Parra embarrassed himself by miraculously returning to his feet having feigned injury.

Sanchez went down in the box claiming a penalty shortly after Lossl denied him a fine goal from the edge of the box, but United were lacking a spark and Huddersfield were only creating half-chances in a goalless first half.

Mourinho did not make any half-time changes, but his players immediately looked sharper.

New boy Sanchez wriggled free to get away a close-range shot blocked superbly by Tommy Smith and their intent bore fruit in the 55th minute.

United battled to win possession in Huddersfield's half and the ball was swiftly played wide for Mata to whip in a cross steered home smartly by Lukaku.

Man Utd via Getty Images

Paul Pogba came on as Mourinho's Reds looked to add another, with substitute Michael Hefele soon gifting them that chance by clumsily bringing down Sanchez.

Lossl saved the resulting spot-kick, but the Chilean was not to be denied a first United goal as he slotted in the rebound.

Man Utd via Getty Images

Lukaku and Pogba had chances to compound matters as the rain fell, although Town were showing the odd glimpse of attacking intent as the match came to a close.

Additional reporting by the Press Association.

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