Manchester United beat Leeds United 5-1 at Old Trafford in the opening match of the Premier League. Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring in the 30th minute of the match, assisted by Paul Pogba. Leeds found an equaliser three minutes into the second half, scored by Luke Ayling. Mason Greenwood then restored the lead, against assisted by Pogba. Fernandes completed his brace in the 54th minute, resulting in a hat-trick of assists for Pogba. Fernandes then scored again in the 60th minute with no assist before Fred completed the scoring in the 68th minute, with Pogba getting four assists. What a match. What a result and what a great way to teach Leeds fans a lesson for mocking disasters. Cracking stuff. United face Southampton at St Mary’s in the Premier League next weekend.
It was a good start for United against Leeds. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were attacking, which really got the crowd roused, but with Raphael Varane being announced as a United player before kick off, they were ready to be excited for the opening Premier League match of the season. United had plenty of chances with Scott McTominay amongst them early in the match. It took around 30 minutes for United to get the opener, through none other than Bruno Fernandes, assisted by Paul Pogba, who should have perhaps opened the scoring minutes earlier. It was a great finish for the Portuguese magnifico, who was the clubs top scorer last season with 28 goals and 18 assists. At the end of the first half, United had 11 shots, four of those were on target, also having jus 47% possession with this well-drilled Leeds side having most of the ball in the first half.
At the start of the second half, Leeds made their first substitution with Junior Firpo replacing Rodrigo. Three minutes into the second half, Leeds got the equaliser through Luke Ayling, which allowed the Leeds fans to be heard celebrating, when moments before they were singing about the Munich air disaster, which shows how classy they are. Their celebrations did not last too long though as Mason Greenwood got his first goal of the season three minutes later, assisted by Pogba, who was having a terrific game. In the 54th minute, Fernandes got his second goal of the game, which completed a hat-trick of assists for Pogba. It was not over though as Fernandes completed his hat-trick of goals in the 60th minute – his first hat-trick for United and on the opening day fo the season. Fred made the score 5-1 in the 68th minute, assisted by Pogba again – magnificent.
Leeds made their second substitution in the 69th minute with Header Costa replacing Jack Harrison. Solskjaer made is first substitution with Nemanja Matic replacing McTominay. United were in their swagger and sending a message to the Premier League, sitting top of the league at this point in the match with Brentford in second and both Arsenal (19th) and Leeds United at the rock bottom. Jadon Sancho was warming up and Leeds fans started to sing “you let your country down” or words to that effect, which underlines how bitter and disgusting this section of their fans are. Imagine being like that just because your team was being beaten. In the 75th minute of the match, Solskjaer made a double substitution with Sancho and Anthony Martial replacing Daniel James and Pogba – who left the pitch to a rapturous applause.
Leeds made their final substitution in the 77th minute with Tyler Roberts replacing Patrick Bamford with a lot to do get get back into the match. Leeds were the dirtiest team on the pitch with two yellow cards; Liam Cooper and Raphinha 62. With minutes left of the match, BT Sports awarded Bruno Fernandes with the Man of the Match award for being the catalyst in this match with his hat-trick by Paul Pogba will have been up there with his four assists, which has shown that the is the player that is needed at this club and that he should sign a new contract, not taking the advise of his agent – therefore being able to, at last, finish what he started at United. With the signings that have been made since Solskjaer arrived at the club, the direction of the club is firmly visible sadly not to the likes of the negative fans who just want to find anything negative so they can moan.
The match ended with rapturous celebration from the Old Trafford faithful which was the start of the season that Solskjaer wanted and what most United supporters wanted. Imagine being one of the so-called supporters that want United to lose, just so that can launch foul tirades on social media to earn themselves clout from like-minded negative so-called supporters like them. Imagine when they find out that you get nothing by pretending to be something on social media – a lot of so-called supporters could learn from that statement. I am sure you have an idea of the type of people I am talking about. I even saw #OleOut trending on Twitter before a ball had even been kicked this afternoon, which was puzzling. I bet the people that started that off will be highly frustrated that United won, and won well. Bless them for giving an AFTV like comedy to laugh at.
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Goals: Bruno Fernandes 30’, 54′, 60’, Mason Greenwood 51’, Fred 68′; Luke Ayling 48’
Assists: Paul Pogba 30’, 52’, 54′, 68′, Victor Lindelof 60′; Stuart Dallas 48′
Manchester United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay (Matic 69′), Fred; James (Sancho 75′), Fernandes, Pogba (Martial 75′); Greenwood
Substitutes Not Used: Heaton; Dalot, Williams; Mata, Pereira, Van de Beek
Bookings: Luke Shaw 83′; Liam Cooper 59′, Raphinha 62′
Written by John Walker
