01/09/2017 09:16, Report by Adam Marshall & James Tuck

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has already been enthusiastic about his options off the bench this season and they have certainly delivered the goods.

Indeed, for the first time in the club's history, a substitute has scored in each of the opening three league games of the campaign. Anthony Martial came on to good effect against West Ham United and Swansea City, getting in on the act with a goal on both occasions.

And, when the Frenchman started in the 2-0 win over Leicester City last weekend, second-half replacements Marcus Rashford and Marouane Fellaini both netted to secure another three valuable points.

It shows the value of squad depth and this is something the boss has been keen to develop at Old Trafford. Bringing on speedsters such as Martial and Rashford to expose any tiring limbs in the closing stages of games looks like a plan that will continue to bear fruit.

In his United Review programme notes, the manager made it clear that he needs all of the players ready to shine with the schedule set to become more arduous now we are into September. There are seven fixtures this month alone with the return to Champions League accompanied by the start of the defence of the newly named Carabao Cup, against Burton Albion.

"I'll have more games and more opportunities to give all of my players the game time they deserve," wrote Jose. "As ever, all the boys are working hard. It might be easy for people to praise the ones who have done so well in the opening games of the season, but I prefer to praise the amazing professionals who are not playing at the moment. They might not have played the minutes they would have liked so far, but they are all being very patient and waiting for their opportunity to become important for the team.

"While I can only pick 11 players to start each game, the boys all know they will get chances and I know I can count on any of them whenever selected." 

From a fan's perspective, it is a delight to see players entering the field and looking desperate to make their mark in a bid to force their way into the starting line-up. It worked with Martial as he earned a spot in the side for the visit of the Foxes while Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Fellaini each gave the boss food for thought with their cameos in the latest victory.

United's Player of the Year, Ander Herrera, will still have a key part to play even if he has been used sparingly thus far and this, again, illustrates the wealth of options available this term. We all know the role substitutes have played in the club's history in the past, never more so than in the 1999 Treble-winning campaign, of course, when stars came off the bench to achieve glory in the FA Cup semi-final (Ryan Giggs), Premier League finale (Andy Cole), FA Cup final (Teddy Sheringham) and Champions League final (Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer).

If ever any subs needed reminding that they will always be a vital part of the team, this should provide it. In the short term, let's hope opposition teams take a glance at our bench and continue to fear the options available to Mourinho at any time.