SM
Man Utd vs. Chelsea: 20 hrs 47 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
MU
Premier League | Gameweek 1
Aug 14, 2021 at 12.30pm UK
Old Trafford
LL

Man Utd
5 - 1
Leeds

Fernandes (30', 54', 60'), Greenwood (52'), Fred (68')
Shaw (83')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Ayling (48')
Cooper (59'), Raphinha (62')

Bruno Fernandes scores opening-day hat-trick as Man Utd overpower Leeds

:Headline: Bruno Fernandes scores opening-day hat-trick as Man Utd overpower Leeds:
Portuguese was in irresistible form.
Sports Mole

Manchester United enjoyed a dream start to the season as Bruno Fernandes' hat-trick rocked rivals Leeds after Raphael Varane was paraded in front of Old Trafford's first full house in 17 months.

The atmosphere was crackling as the ground welcomed a sell-out crowd for Saturday's Premier League clash and the din increased several notches when their new signing was introduced before kick-off.

Varane's arrival from Real Madrid was followed by a breathless Premier League triumph, with Fernandes' treble complemented by Mason Greenwood and Fred goals as Man United thrashed old foes Leeds 5-1.

Bruno Fernandes was too hot for Leeds (Martin Rickett/PA)

The Portuguese put Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men ahead at the break, only for Luke Ayling's stunner to level things for Marcelo Bielsa's men early in the second half.

But the Leeds right-back's first Premier League goal proved a mere footnote as the visitors unravelled spectacularly.

Greenwood scored smartly from an exquisite Pogba pass, before a hopeful Fernandes effort was adjudged to have crossed the line and he then completed his hat-trick with an unerring finish.

Fred added a fifth as Pogba provided his fourth assist of an afternoon when Solskjaer's name echoed around a buzzing Old Trafford.

The result continued Leeds' long wait for a league win at Old Trafford, where the hosts translated the intense atmosphere onto the pitch.

Mason Greenwood was lively throughout (Martin Rickett/PA)

Greenwood looked lively from the outset and followed a 25-yard effort with a more fortunate attempt on goal as Pascal Struijk's clearance hit him and threatened to loop over Illan Meslier.

The 19-year-old was involved again as the hosts had their best chance of the first half, with Pogba following a superb stepover when up against Leeds' goalkeeper by directing narrowly wide.

That appeared to jolt the visitors, roared on by 3,000 travelling fans, into life, with David De Gea producing an important save to deny Mateusz Klich before Rodrigo powered a header wide from a fine free-kick.

But Man United would break the deadlock on the half-hour mark as Pogba expertly clipped a first-time ball through to Fernandes, who took a touch and squeezed past Meslier.

Luke Shaw struck just wide of the near post and Daniel James went close before the first half came to a close.

Bielsa turned to debutant Junior Firpo at the break and Leeds made a superb start to the second half.

The hosts were caught napping from a throw-in and right-back Ayling capitalised in style, taking aim from 25 yards to thump expertly into the top left-hand corner.

But Man United regularly showed their mental toughness last season and hit back with two goals in quick succession.

First Pogba put Greenwood behind the Leeds backline with an outstanding pass and the teenager hit a low strike off the far post in the 52nd minute.

Solskjaer's side had the bit between their teeth and pulled further ahead in the 53rd minute as goal-line technology ruled Fernandes hopeful strike had crossed the line before Ayling could clear.

Things swiftly went awry for Leeds, who were picking the ball out of the back of their net again in the 60th minute.

Victor Lindelof sent a fine, direct ball from the back and Fernandes watched it over his shoulder before expertly rifling it beyond Meslier in front of the Stretford End.

Jason Sancho made his debut (Martin Rickett/PA)

A video assistant referee check for offside was cleared and punch drunk Leeds struggled to regain their composure, with fans turning their anger on substitute Jadon Sancho as they chanted 'you let your country down'.

They were soon silenced by unlikely goalscorer Fred, who turned home a Pogba cross to apply salt to the wounds in the 68th minute.

The majority of 72,732 in attendance were in dreamland and would welcome Sancho for his debut as the match wound down.

Greenwood went close to making it six before Raphinha drilled wide on an afternoon to forget for the visitors as Man United ran amok at Old Trafford.

body check tags ::

amp_article__459382 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-08-14 13:43:17:
html db last update - 2021-08-14 13:43:17 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Saturday's Premier League predictions including Manchester United vs. Leeds
Pain for Guardiola! Champions Man City shocked by Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium
The Porto plan: Real Madrid goalkeeper to be part of £67m swap?
Manchester City planning Josko Gvardiol move?
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Arsenal105321711618
5Aston Villa95311611518
6Chelsea95221911817
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
8Bournemouth104331312115
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs94141810813
11Brentford94141818013
12Fulham93331212012
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd9324811-311
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Erling Haaland's record vs. Bournemouth

NEW

1

EH

Team News: Man Utd vs. Chelsea injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

2

TN

Down to bare bones: Double Man City injury blow confirmed after Bournemouth loss

NEW

3

DT

Transfer news: Tottenham eye Arsenal goalkeeper as Vicario competition

NEW

4

TN

Bournemouth vs. Man City: Head-to-head record and past meetings

5

BV

Slot at the summit: Liverpool top the table with comeback Brighton win

6

SA

Phil Foden's record vs. Bournemouth

NEW

7

PF

What's next for Ruud? Man United players 'make feelings clear' on Van Nistelrooy

8

WN

Team News: Barcelona vs. Espanyol injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

9

TN

Saturday's Premier League predictions including Newcastle vs. Arsenal

10

SP


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .