ACE BRUNO A THREE SPIRIT
Fernandes leads rout as Ole says
ONE of the biggest disappointments of the lockdowns for Manchester United fans was that a packed Old Trafford only got to see Bruno Fernandes play four times. Yesterday was the fifth – and boy did the Portugal star make up for it.
Last season’s 28-goal top scorer picked up where he left off as he netted a hat-trick to serve notice that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side mean business this season.
Fernandes was unstoppable as the Reds tore Leeds apart at Old Trafford for the second time in eight months after putting six past them in December.
As brilliant as Fernandes was, this impressive win was not just about him and Paul Pogba, who was superb and made four assists.
Mason Greenwood also shone and his finish for United’s second goal was sublime.
Jadon Sancho made his debut off the bench with the game won, while Raphaelvarane was paraded before kick-off after finally sealing his move from Real Madrid.
Delighted Solskjaer said: “This is the real Man United. I love seeing them all smiling when they play football like that.
“Sir Alex Ferguson, the gaffer, always used to say ‘enjoy yourself, express yourself.’
“You have to enjoy the privilege and pressure and responsibility of playing in front of 75,000 fans and millions more fans watching in front of the television.’’
On this form those fans will believe a first title since 2013 is on.their team look in the mood to restore fortress Old Trafford and this was a high-octane display full of intensity and desire.
For Leeds, it was another humbling at the home of their fiercest rivals and Marcelo Bielsa must be concerned by how his side crumbled after Luke Ayling’s sensational equaliser. Junior Firpo endured a baptism of fire on his debut, and too many Leeds players were off key.
Energised by the raucous support from their home fans, United exploded from the blocks and Illan Meslier twice denied Greenwood – who then won possession to create a chance which Pogba put wide.
Despite having to absorb all this pressure, Leeds were a threat. David De Gea saved a shot from
Mateusz Klich, and
Rodrigo should have done better when he headed wide from Raphinha’s free-kick.
Leeds are famous for their high pressing under Bielsa, but United’s opener came from a turnover.
They won the ball from Meslier’s goalkick and Pogba played in Fernandes with a superb first-time ball, which he dispatched through the legs of the Leeds goalkeeper.
Leeds levelled on 48 minutes with a wonder-strike from Ayling, who hit an angled drive into the top right corner from 30 yards out.
The home side’s response was emphatic as they scored three times in eight minutes to win the game.
First Pogba played another divine pass out left to Greenwood, who outpaced Pascal Struijk to lash home left-footed on 52 minutes.
Two minutes later Fernandes checked back onto his left foot and hit a shot which crossed the line before Ayling could hoof it away.
Leeds were still reeling when, on 60 minutes,victor Lindelof played a fantastic long ball through to Fernandes – who thumped it home on the half-volley to complete his hat-trick.
But United and Pogba were not done, and six minutes later the France star set up Fred to make it 5-1 and compound Leeds’ misery.
Pogba was awesome and while this may well be his last season at Old Trafford as he runs down the final year of his contract, it promises to be a memorable one on this evidence.