Manchester United captain Paul Pogba scored the opening goal as the Red Devils beat Leicester in the first game of the Premier League season.

United had a frustrating summer, unable to sign any centre-backs and with Jose Mourinho looking increasingly irritated.

But that did not hinder them too much at Old Trafford as they made a flying start on Friday night, winning a penalty in the second minute when Daniel Amartey handled Alexis Sanchez's deflected shot.

France midfielder Pogba stepped up and after a slow run-up placed the ball in the top-right corner above Kasper Schmeichel. The World Cup winner had not even expected to start, having only returned to training on Monday.

Left-back Luke Shaw then scored the first senior goal of his career after controlling Juan Mata's aerial pass to double their lead.

Substitute Jamie Vardy scored a late consolation after Ricardo Perreira's cross had hit a post, and Foxes goalkeeper Schmeichel came forward for an injury time corner but his header went wide.

The Foxes had edged the first half following their early setback with debutants James Maddison and Ricardo both forcing saves from David de Gea.

The second period was a slightly tamer affair before the late goals, although United substitute Romelu Lukaku was denied a goal by a good Schmeichel save.

It is the third year in a row Leicester have conceded the opening goal of the season - having lost to Hull and Arsenal in the first games of the previous two campaigns.

• Follow reaction to the game here
• Lawro's opening-day predictions

Pogba steals the headlines

Pogba, who has been linked to Barcelona this summer, was not expected to start - let alone captain United - four days after training for the first time since Russia 2018.

But he brought his World Cup form into the opening stages, producing a couple of excellent early passes before the opening goal.

A penalty was fairly awarded with Amartey's arm high when he handled - although the video assistant referee was not an option to review the decision, with the Premier League the only one of Europe's top five leagues not using the system this year.

Pogba - with two stars shaved into his scalp to celebrate France's second World Cup win - had a brief word with Sanchez before deciding to take the kick himself.

After an unusual staggered run-up, he scored, although his celebrations were muted. He has now scored in his last two games - his previous match being the World Cup final when he scored in a 4-2 win over Croatia.

By the time he was replaced by Marouane Fellaini in the latter stages, at 2-0 up and seemingly safe, he had touched the ball more times and played more passes than any of his team-mates.

He came off to handshakes from the bench after a good job well done.

How did United's unfamiliar faces do?

United get their season off to a winning start although their performance will not have excited many.

Mourinho has appeared grumpy all summer after failing to sign any of his centre-back targets - including Leicester's Harry Maguire, who played the full 90 minutes at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils fielded an unfamiliar back four, with Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof - who played a total of 99 minutes together last season - in the centre and Shaw and Matteo Darmian on the sides.

Both centre-backs did well to deal with the threat of bustling Leicester forward Kelechi Iheanacho, although Darmian was given a torrid time by Demarai Gray in the first half.

Shaw took advantage of his chance with his first goal since England Under-17's 4-0 win over Lithuania in 2011. He took on Mata's high pass, beat Ricardo and then poked the ball beyond Schmeichel.

Fred, a £47m signing from Shakhtar Donetsk, was United's only debutant and looked solid - with the best passing accuracy at 95.6% - although he was booked for fouling Maddison.

He was partnered in midfield with fellow Brazilian Andreas Pereira, who also turned in a steady performance on his first Premier League start.

Marcus Rashford started up front, with Lukaku on the bench, although he did not have a single touch in the box or attempt a shot.

How did Leicester look?

Foxes boss Claude Puel was thought to be in danger of being sacked this summer, but the club's owners instead backed him in a £100m spending spree.

Maddison, a £20m recruit from Norwich after 14 Championship goals last season, looked good in the first half - playing plenty of passes in dangerous areas, as well as testing De Gea from 16 yards out.

Ricardo was also bright before the break on the right wing - and had a shot saved by the United keeper, before having a hand in Vardy's late goal.

Another debutant, Rachid Ghezzal - Riyad Mahrez's summer replacement - came on in the second half, as did goalscorer Vardy.

Vardy's England team-mate Maguire was solid at the back for Leicester but unable to cause any of the mayhem he unleashed at the World Cup in the opposition box.

Where he failed, Schmeichel almost succeeded when he headed Ben Chilwell's corner just wide. Only five goalkeepers, including Kasper's father Peter, have scored in the Premier League.

More to follow.