Manchester United started their English Premier League 2021-22 campaign in devastating fashion by thrashing arch rivals Leeds 5-1. The win makes United the first ever English team to win 20 of their opening EPL matches.
Varane Unveiled
Just 10 minutes or so before the kickoff the club officially announced the signing of Raphaël Varane. To everyone’s delight, Varane was then unveiled at full capacity Old Trafford in front of the United faithful. It was a spectacular. Varane walked onto the pitch carrying his United shirt and held it in front of the Old Trafford crowd and everyone watching worldwide.
Now THAT is an Old Trafford welcome 🤩#MUFC @RaphaelVarane
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 14, 2021
First Half
United started the match with confidence and created couple of good chances. The first clear opportunity came when Mason Greenwood dribbled past a Leeds player and found Paul Pogba in clear goalscoring position. Pogba unfortunately put his shot off target. The best chance for Leeds in the first half was an off-target header from a set piece.
United finally got their breakthrough at the half hour mark. Scott McTominay gained possession from a Leeds goal kick. He then passed to Pogba who delivered a through ball to Bruno Fernandes first time. Bruno’s left footed shot deflected and found the net. First goal of the season! Old Trafford erupted with joy!
Second Half
United unfortunately conceded an early gial in the second half. Luke Ayling levelled the score for Leeds with a spectacular long range shot. However, this triggered a series of events that showed the explosive attacking side of United. Minutes after Leeds equalized, Greenwood put United back in front with a clinical low drive from a sublime through ball by Paul Pogba. 2-1 United!
Up front, United continued to play high tempo attacking football. Greenwood drifted left and Bruno continued to rotate between central midfield and false nine. Minutes after the second goal, Pogba again found Bruno who scored with a left footed finish. 3-1! Second goal for Bruno and a hat-trick of assists for Pogba!
Leeds take pride in playing attacking football no matter what. This obviously is not a good thing in all situations. Manchester United punished this approach from Leeds by scoring again on the hour mark. Victor Lindelöf’s inch perfect lob found a hungry Bruno Fernandes in the penalty area who unleashed a powerful shot to make it a hat-trick for him. His first in a United shirt, certainly not the last.
Leeds were punished further with a fifth goal. Pogba on the left flank sent a beautiful cross which found Fred Rodrigues. The pastor put the ball into the net with a low shot. 4th assist for Pogba! 5-1 United!
3 – This is the 3rd time @ManUtd have had a player score a hat-trick (Fernandes) and had a player provide at least 3 assists (Pogba) in a Premier League game:
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 14, 2021
Aug 2011 v Arsenal (Rooney 3 goals, Young 3 assists).
Oct 1997 v Barnsley (Cole 3 goals, Solskjaer 3 assists). Trebles.
Sancho Debut
Jadon Sancho got his Manchester United on the 74th minute. He replaced hard working Daniel James and ascended the Old Trafford pitch to a huge roar from United crowd.
Sancho showed glimpses of what’s there to come. He didn’t lose possession of the ball. You can just tell how brilliant he is, very quick and with a bag of tricks.
Whenever Sancho got the ball Leeds looked threatened.
First minutes as a Red,
— Jadon Sancho (@Sanchooo10) August 14, 2021
what a start to the season!
PP x BF link up 🥶 pic.twitter.com/nfifkTYll4
A Perfect Day
The biggest positive of the day is that United didn’t look vulnerable as a team after Leeds levelled the score. Scott McTominay and Fred Rodrigues were immense at the midfield. Unsung heroes of the match. Anthony Martial, who came on in the second half got some valuable minutes under his belt and showed confidence on the ball. Nemanja Matic added extra security to finish the game off.
Man United have maintained their dominance over Leeds United. The team will look forward to repeat the same result in the reverse fixture.
Unveiling of Varane, thrashing arch rivals, Sancho debut, hat-trick for Bruno, four assists from Pogba – all these made for a perfect day for Manchester United.
Great enthusiasm all around the United community. Fans, as always, played a big part.
Have a nice Sunday from PP x BF 🤜🏼🤛🏿 😄 pic.twitter.com/0x8pBVIA6C
— Bruno Fernandes (@B_Fernandes8) August 15, 2021
Watch the match highlights here.
Watch Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s post-match reaction here.
Glory Glory Man United!
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