Lingard Joins Elite Band Of United Scorers

Manchester United's opening goalscorer in Sunday's Community Shield win over Leicester City, Jesse Lingard, follows in a long line of players to net the first strike of a manager's reign as Manchester United manager.

Our list below details the first competitive scorers in the reign of United's permanent managers since the Second World War. One man has the distinction of doing this twice, as Lou Macari claimed the opening strike of both Dave Sexton and Ron Atkinson's tenures at Old Trafford.

All of the players bar Danish defender John Sivebaek can be considered forwards or attacking stars – and there are some famous names on the list, with the 'United Trinity' of Denis Law, George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton all featuring.

Robin van Persie also hit the opening league goal during David Moyes's spell in charge, in addition to his Community Shield double against Wigan Athletic, while Wayne Rooney's acrobatic effort against Swansea City was the maiden goal of Louis van Gaal's time at the helm.

First goalscorers in reign of permanent United managers since the war:
Jose Mourinho: Jesse Lingard v Leicester, 7 August 2016.
Louis van Gaal: Wayne Rooney v Swansea, 16 August 2014.
David Moyes: Robin van Persie v Wigan, Community Shield, 11 August 2013.
Sir Alex Ferguson: John Sivebaek v QPR, 22 November 1986.
Ron Atkinson: Lou Macari v Coventry, 29 August 1981.
Dave Sexton: Lou Macari v Birmingham, 20 August 1977.
Tommy Docherty: Ted MacDougall v Leeds, 23 December 1972.
Frank O'Farrell: Denis Law v Derby, 14 August 1971.
Sir Matt Busby: George Best v Middlesbrough, 5 January 1971.
Wilf McGuinness: Bobby Charlton v Crystal Palace, 9 August 1969.
Sir Matt Busby: Charlie Mitten v Grimsby, 31 August 1946.