Manchester United beat Leeds United 4-0 in the second pre-season friendly at the Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia on Wednesday. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be happy with the victory over a rival team at this stage of the summer which will do the squad well ahead of the upcoming matches against Inter Milan, Tottenham Hotspur, Kristiansund and AC Milan ahead of the Premier League opener against Chelsea.
17-year-old Mason Greenwood opened the scoring in the seventh minute of the match after Paul Pogba played a through ball into Aaron Wan-Bissaka with the right-back making the run up the right-wing. He crossed the ball into Greenwood who tapped in his first goal of pre-season, something he will be pleased with, as will his manager.
Twenty minutes later, United doubled their lead through Marcus Rashford. United had pressured Leeds for several minutes in the run
Six minutes into the second half, United had won a corner. Andreas Pereira took it, lofted the ball into the box and the rising head of Phil Jones slotted the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-0 to United. It seems that the Leeds supporters in Australia were a little too optimistic in thinking that their team would beat United today. Oops.
United won a penalty in the 69th minute after Tahith Chong was taken out inside the box by Liam Cooper. Anthony Martial stepped up to take the spot-kick, putting it into the back of the net as cool as you like. United was 4-0 up against the Yorkshire club, something they will want to forget. But it is only pre-season, which would not be the case if they had not been on the receiving end of this battering.
Man of the Match: Paul Pogba
The Frenchman played well in the first half of the match and played a part in the opening goal, playing the ball to Wan-Bissaka. Pogba can be a great player for this club and hopefully, he can sort his future out and decide whether he wants to remain at the club or not. When he came back to United, he said he had unfinished business here. That business has not been taken care of, so if he wants to take care of it, he will need to stay. It will be a season that could create something for the club.
Manchester United
22 Sergio Romero
The Argentinian goalkeeper saw more action tha he did against Perth Glory at the weekend. The experienced goalpeeper also made a crucial save when the score was 1-0, which could have changed the outcome of the game. A clean sheet and 45 minutes under his belt will impress the player and the manager.
29 Aaron Wan-Bissaka
The right-back showed just what he can do in a Manchester United shirt. Solid defensively and also added that imopact in attck, running up the right-wing with the ball and playing it to Mason Greenwood to open the scoring. This team already looks much better than it did last season with him in it.
2 Victor Lindelof
Looked the part paired with Eric Bailly. His passing was on point and it seems he is still carrying the form he showed last season, which will put him on the teamsheet more often than not, if it continues.
3 Eric Bailly
The Ivorian was solid in defence but had some pretty rash decision making, which needs to improve during the pre-season campaign. Bailly is a good defender and had a good season after he signed, however, he has fallen down the pecking order and will again if another defender is signed by the club this summer.
16 Marcos Rojo
I was not all that impressed with his defending during his 45 minute cameo on the team. He did not offer much going forward, which is what this position will need to offer. Luke Shaw will be at home in this position, when fit. United's weakest link in the team, based on his current form.
39 Scott McTominay
The Scotland international put in a good shift in the first half of the match. He assisted Marcus Rashford's goal, United's second of the game with a great showing of speed going forward with the ball. Many mock him but he really is something the club should be proud of.
6 Paul Pogba
MOTM for me. The Frenchman did a lot in the first half, including helping to create the opening goal by passing the ball to Wan-Bissaka, who then thundered up the right flank to pass to Greenwood, who found the back of the net. If he stays this summer, he needs to really dig deep and inspire this team, if he is the leader everyone says he is.
11 Mason Greenwood
Got himself a goal in the first team, which will have left him thirsty for more. He seemed to be hungrier against Perth Glory at the weekend than he was against Leeds but I cannot fault him for what he did. The only way it up for him now.
8 Juan Mata
The Spanish midfielder did what he needed to do. His was tidy in possession but was not a player who created a deciding moment in the game. However, it is a team game.
21 Daniel James
Nearly scored on his second appearance for the club. Seemed much better against Perth Glory but still played a part against Leeds United. His pace is going to cause problems when he properly finds his feet in this squad. I cannot wait to see that.
10 Marcus Rashford
Two goals in two matches in pre-season so far. He really is going to become a player that those who had written him off will feel a bit silly. Playing in a pacey lineup, Rashford is a player who will find a goal, even create one. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was right to start him over Anthony Martial.
Substitutes
Joel Castro Pereira
Replaced Romero 46'. The Portuguese goalkeeper had little to do in the second half of the match.
Diogo Dalot
Replaced Rojo 46'. The fullback played the entire second half of the match with Solskjaer checking out his ability. He will need to improve a lot in order to displace Wan-Bissaka at right-back, more so to displace Luke Shaw at left-back.
4 Phil Jones
Replaced Lindelof 46'. Scored a headed goal which many will be impressed with to put United 3-0 up in the second half. Did not have much to do defensively in the second half.
Chris Smalling
Replaced Bailly 46'. The second half did not see much action in United's area, like in the first. It was a pretty smooth match for Smalling and his defensive colleagues.
18 Ashley Young
Replaced Wan-Bissaka 46'. Some say he impressed but I was left unimpressed in all fairness. After a rest (this summer) he might be feeling ready but as the season grows on, his performances decrease. There is little anyone can do to stop that. He will be a liability in the squad when it really matters.
Andreas Pereira
Replaced McTominay 46'. The Belgian-born Brazilian put the effort into his second half performance bu McTominay is streets ahead of him in terms of ability and being trusted by the manager. Needs to have a good season which may prevent him from being sold next summer. I'm not too sure he has what it takes to impress for United.
28 Angel Gomes
Replaced Mata 46'. I was impressed with Gomes. He seems to have got stuck into cementing himself in the first team this summer. Nearly scored a goal of his own, which was good to see, although he will be gutted to have hit it wide. It won't be long before he is a player that always finds himself in the first team, especially under Solskjaer as youth is the key.
31 Nemanja Matic
Replaced Pogba 46'. Seemed out of place in Solskjaer's squad for this high-intensity match. Was substituted 32 minutes after coming on.
Tahith Chong
Replaced Greenwood 46'. His skills saw him dominate in the second half, also winning a penalty for United, which Matrial scored to put the club 4-0 up over Leeds. He might not be ready to start the season in the first team but I don't think it will be long for him. Good to have him as a squad player.
14 Jesse Lingard
Replaced James 46'. Seemed a bit quier agains Leeds and will need to start performing. The opposition will become a little more difficult from here with Inter Milan on the horizon in the International Champions Cup in Singapore on Saturday. It was not a bad match for him, just not one of his best.
9 Anthony Martial
Replaced Rashford 46'. Got himself on the scoresheet, albeit from the penalty spot. Will be happy with that. He was out of form and did not do a lot, other than score the penalty. He started well as a striker at the club but seems best suited as a left-winger, but after a few more matches, it might start to work again for him.
James Garner
Replaced Matic 78'. Played 12 minutes plus stoppage time. Seemed to fit in more than Matic, who seemed to be struggling in this formation and high-intensity pressing. His future is going to be good for the club. A future leader in the ranks, maybe?
Goals: Mason Greenwood 7′, Marcus Rashford 27′, Phil Jones 51′, Anthony Martial (penalty) 69′
Assists: Aaron Wan-Bissaka 7′, Scott McTominay 27′, Andreas Pereira 51′
Manchester United: Romero (J. Pereira 46′); Wan-Bissaka (Young 46′), Lindelof (Jones 46′), Bailly (Smalling 46′), Rojo (Dalot 46′); McTominay (A. Pereira 46′), Pogba (Matic 46′ (Garner 78′); Greenwood (Chong 46′), Mata (Gomes 46′), James (Lingard 46′); Rashford (Martial 46′)
Substitutes Not Used: Tuanzebe
