FOOTBALL BLOODY HELL!
That was a classic 16 years in the making as the Reds beat the Whites in a crazy War of the Roses that fires Ole’s men up to third place
WITH Sir Alex Ferguson looking on, one of his most famous phrases seemed entirely fitting: “Football, bloody hell.”
Before this game, Manchester United had scored just once from open play in six Premier League encounters at Old Trafford this season, losing three and drawing two.
By the end they had managed to score six at home in the league for the first time since their 8-2 win over Arsenal in 2011 and moved to third in the table, with a game in hand.
If ever a match deserved to have fans present it was this pulsating contest between these fierce rivals in their first league encounter for nearly 17 years and one which did not disappoint. oint.
As maj e s tic as s Manchester United were, racing to a 4-0 lead after 37 minutes, their enterprising opponents deserved credit for continuing with their eir ebullient approach.
Eight goals, 43 shots and 24 corners told the full thrilling story of this game.
The Reds, plagued by slow starts this term, came out of the blocks like Usain Bolt, with two goals inside the first three minutes, both from Scott McTominay.
The opener took 66 seconds to arrive, Leeds backing off and allowing Bruno Fernandes to find McTominay, who produced a clinical finish from 25 yards out.
Leeds were still reeling from that when they found themselves 2-0 down, the game effectively over before Marcelo Bielsa had positioned his stool on the touchline.
Anthony Martial collected a Luke Shaw throw before slipping the ball through to McTominay, who applied another cool finish.
McTominay’s goals were his first in the league since scoring the second in the 2-0 derby win over Manchester City in March, the last game at Old Trafford before the first lockdown.
Seventeen minutes later it was 3-0 following a superb attacking move involving Dan James, Bruno Fernandes, Fred – whose rampaging forward run made the goal possible - and Martial.
When the final ball, intended for Martial, became loose after coming off Luke Ayling, Fernandes was first to pounce, drilling in a low shot beyond Ilan Meslier.
And when Martial flicked on a Luke Shaw corner it was met at the far post by Victor Lindelof, who turned it in for the home side’s fourth.
Leeds gave themselves faint hope of a comeback by pulling a goal back four minutes before half-time, skipper Liam Cooper beating David De Gea with a header.
The visitors played with flair after the break, never allowing the hosts to settle, but such an approach meant Bielsa’s side were always vulnerable to the counter-attack.
So it proved in the 66th minute. McTominay showed great determination to win the ball and find James, who scored through Meslier’s legs.
They went 6- 1 up when Fernandes converted from the penalty spot after Martial had been brought down by Pascal Struijk.
Despite the game being beyond them, Leeds continued to push, Stuart Dallas making it 6-2 with a sublime strike late on.
After losing their first three home games of the season, Manchester United are five points off top spot and will be third on Christmas Day. A year ago they were eighth, 24 points from the summit.
Football, bloody hell.