For Manchester United, it was another offseason filled with numerous transfer rumours and talks surrounding expectations for their upcoming campaign. However, this time around, the English giants were able to land the big name players which had been linked to the club, leaving them with a roster that is perhaps their strongest since Sir. Alex Ferguson departed the club.
Before Harry Maguire led United on to Old Trafford to face off with Liam Cooper’s Leeds United, the home crowd was pleasantly greeted by the official introduction of former Real Madrid Star, Raphael Varane, who left the Spanish titan to join the Manchester team, and help further strengthen a backline that already has an International pedigree. Varane would not make his debut in the opening match, as Marcus Rashford and Edison Cavani would highlight the other big outs for United. Superstar Jadon Sancho, who was acquired from Borussia Dortmund in the offseason, was named to make his debut from the bench. For Leeds, England representative, Kalvin Phillips, would also start on the pine for Marcelo Bielsa’s men.
Also proceeding kick-off was a touching tribute to all of the individuals who had lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting those who had spent time being involved within both clubs in any capacity. There was also a brief but powerful gesture against racism, taking a stance against all forms of discrimination.
As the whistle blew, it became clear which team was taking the more aggressive stance early. Luke Shaw, coming off an impressive Euros campaign, looked to push up the field early to give the Red Devils an extra attacking option. The forward pressuring from United led to an early mistake from Leeds, which gave Greenwood a chance to open the scoring 10 minutes in, but Meslier was able to deal with it in goal. In worrying signs for Leeds, Man United was continuing to string passes together through the midfield with ease, as Pogba missed another golden chance to open the scoring, missing wide with a chip shot.
Weathering the early storm, Leeds looked to get on the front foot by feeding some early ball out to Raphinia, who was looking quick down the right flank. Unfortunately for Leeds, every lead up play was falling flat due to some poor final passes, many targeted towards last season’s leading scorer, Patrick Bamford. In the 26th minute, they would see their best chance of the first half, with Bamford spraying a header wide from a superb free kick delivery. Scott McTominay and Pogba continued to be instrumental in the middle of the park for United, and finally at the half hour mark, Portuguese gem Bruno Fernandes got on the end of a Pogba ball and gave Manchester the lead. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was unable to contain his passion, letting out an emotional cheer for Fernandes, who since coming to the club has completely transformed its identity and play. Heading into the break, Leeds continued to stay in the contest, showing promising ball movement composed primarily by Koch and Rodrigo in the midfield.
Heading out of the halftime break, Leeds was able to get the jump on United, and just 3 minutes in to the second stanza, Luke Ayling was able to blast a superb shot past David de Gea to tie it back up at 1-1. Unfortunately for the away team, this seemed to set off a spark in the United squad. Another well executed long pass from Pogba, set young Mason Greenwood down the left wing, who used his pace and poise to knock it past Meslier and snatch back the lead for United. A mere 3 minutes later, Manchester United regained possession in the centre of the park, and once again Bruno Fernandes converted off the back of another needle threading pass from Paul Pogba, giving the Frenchman his third assist inside the first hour and creating a two goal buffer. Leeds captain, Liam Cooper, picked up the first yellow of the match, as it seemed a bit of frustration was slipping into the Leeds outfit.
Only further enhancing this feeling was a number of sloppy errors that consistently turned the ball back to United. Just as the 60 minute mark ticked over, United centre back Victor Lindelöf, the man tipped to make way for the incoming Varane, delivered a floating ball past the Leeds backline into the path of Fernandes, who fired a rocket past the Leeds keeper to give himself a hat trick and United a 4-1 lead. The United faithful cheered loudly, creating the theatre like atmosphere which was so evidently missed during the COVID interrupted 2020/21 campaign. Just 8 minutes later, United were on the attack again, as Brazilian midfielder, Fred, was able convert Manchester’s 5th from a cutback delivered from who else but Paul Pogba. This gave Pogba his fourth assist, making him just the seventh person to reach this target in a single premier league game.
Despite all of the action happening on the pitch, the loudest roar came from the introduction of Jadon Sancho with 15 minutes to play. His highly publicised move to the Red Devils had been in the works for the better part of two years, and United fans were eager to see what their man could produce. Anthony Martial was also introduced, replacing Pogba who received his own special reception following his playmaking masterclass. Leeds main man Patrick Bamford, who was unable to integrate himself into proceedings, made way for Tyler Roberts, as Bielsa decided to keep Kalvin Phillips on the bench to preserve the star midfielder. The final moments of the match petered out, but ultimately the damage had already been done in the 15 minutes following Ayling’s reply. United walking away dominant victors, 5-1 in the end.
Next up for United is a trip to Southampton in a weeks’ time, whilst Leeds will be eager to bounce back and show the potential of this year’s team, as they host Everton at Elland Road.
Are Fernandes and Pogba the best Premier League Duo? Will Sancho and Varane help United hunt trophies this season? Let us know in the comments!
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