Manchester United vs Leeds LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction today
Follow all the fallout from Old Trafford
Manchester United thrashed Leeds United 5-1 at Old Trafford in the Premier League’s early kick-off to make a statement in their season-opener.
After finishing second to rivals Manchester City last season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made no secret that his side are targeting the title this campaign, with his squad bolstered by the high-profile additions of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane. Despite that, though, the manager had to wrestle with several absentees for his side’s curtain-raiser. Varane has not yet been registered due to small details of his contract that remain to be finalised. Sancho only came off the bench in the second half, while Edinson Cavani, Marcus Rashford and Dean Henderson were all ruled out.
But that did not stop Man United from running riot in front of a returning capacity crowd, with Bruno Fernandes netting a hat-trick as Fred and Mason Greenwood rounded out the scoring for the hosts. Paul Pogba, meanwhile, recorded four assists along the way to rival man of the match Fernandes.
Luke Ayling hit a stunning strike early in the second half to pull Leeds level – very briefly – but it was nothing more than a consolation, with Man United responding immediately with three goals to add to Fernandes’ opener. Fred soon added the final finish for Solskjaer’s side.
Relive all the action below:
GOAL! Man Utd 4-1 Leeds (Fernandes ‘59 ⚽)
Man Utd add a fourth, and Fernandes gets his hat trick.
It’s a simple ball over the top, with the Portuguese attacker running in behind Leeds’ high line. Fernandes smashes the ball with his laces into the roof of the net, giving Meslier with absolutely no chance of saving the ball.
Game is good as over. But this could get worse for Leeds with half an hour remaining.
GOAL! Man Utd 3-1 Leeds (Fernandes ‘54 ⚽)
The home side have now doubled their advantage in the space of two minutes, and Leeds are shellshocked.
It’s Fernandes again, who makes the run from Pogba’s through ball, Fernandes sends Firpo the wrong way inside the box, before his shot creeps over the line, despite Ayling clearing the ball, but the ball was indeed over the line, and is given.
Three goals in about seven minutes!
GOAL! Manchester Utd 2-1 Leeds (Greenwod ‘51 ⚽)
Man Utd take the lead once more! An absolutely superb pass down the left hand channel by Pogba into the path of Greenwood, who sprints clear of Ayling, and Greenwood runs into the box and smashes a low drive into the far corner.
Superb goal.
GOAL! Manchester Utd 1-1 Leeds (Ayling ‘47 ⚽)
Leeds equalise through Ayling, and what a rocket!
Two minutes into the second half, the ball falls to Ayling just inside the Man Utd half, he runs unopposed towards the home side’s goal and unleashes a thunderbolt of a shot that arrows into the corner of De Gea’s goal, giving the Spanish stopper with absolutely no chance.
That’ll feature in the goal of the month compilation at the end of August!
Premier League: Manchester Utd 1-0 Leeds
Second half kicks off.
Leeds have made one change at the break, with new signing Junior Firpo coming on for Rodrigo.
Premier League: Manchester Utd 1-0 Leeds
Raphael Varane gets hero’s welcome at Old Trafford after sealing Man United move
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Premier League: Manchester Utd 1-0 Leeds
Half time at Old Trafford:
1-0 to the home side through a well-worked Bruno Fernandes goal.
A high intensity game that swung back and forth throughout the half. Neither side really controlled the game, with the ball spent ping ponging from one side to the other.
Fernandes’ goal was the product of a wonderful pass from Pogba, who nonchalantly chipped it into his path.
United could be another goal or two up, as they had the better chances, but Leeds also had opportunities to score, with the Rodrigo header being the main one.
Both managers will likely be happy with how their teams performed, but Solskjaer will be the happier of the two. The game is simmering nicely.
Premier League: Manchester Utd 1-0 Leeds
44 min: A chorus of ‘shoot’ when Pogba finds himself in a bit of space on the edge of the Leeds box, but he prefers to switch it side for James, who does shoot, but doesn’t get enough purchase on it.
Premier League: Manchester Utd 1-0 Leeds
42 min: Leeds have still performed decently in this first half, and pose a threat whilst attacking, but Man Utd just look capable of scoring every time they venture forward.
Premier League: Manchester Utd 1-0 Leeds
36 min: Leeds struggling a little at the minute, with the home side looking dangerous at every opportunity going forward.
Bielsa’s side need to see this out to half time, and regroup.
But Leeds are continuing to stream forward, as all Bielsa sides do.
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