Manchester United 6-2 Leeds United
There was so much hype surrounding Manchester United’s first matchup with Leeds United this season as they renewed the Roses rivalry in the Premier League for the first time in many years. Luckily, the match did not disappoint as it delivered an absolute goalfest.
Unfortunately for Leeds, six of those goals went against them as they ended up on the wrong end of another high-scoring shootout.
United, who had been struggling mightily at Old Trafford this season, got off to a flying start with two Scott McTominay goals in the first three minutes and never looked back as they rose up to third in the table.
Highlights of the game
United could not have asked for a much better start as they went up after just 67 seconds on the clock. After Leeds turned the ball over in their own half, United quickly went the other way and scored through a thunderous strike from Scott McTominay.
McTominay would go on to make it two for him and the home side just seconds later. Anthony Martial received a United throw-in and played a terrific through ball for McTominay, who took the ball in stride and blasted it past Leeds keeper Ilan Meslier.
Undeterred by their early two-goal deficit, Leeds charged back with chances of their own. Patrick Bamford, in particular, missed a glorious opportunity to pull one back on eight minutes as he sent his shot just wide.
Bamford eventually got the ball in the back of the net on 19 minutes, but the goal was rightly ruled out for offside.
It then took mere moments for United to put the ball in the back of Leeds’ net for the third time. Another Leeds turnover turned into a lightning-quick United counterattack which was finished off with great aplomb by Bruno Fernandes.
Leeds still continued to create good chances, though. Bamford again came close as he sent a header over the bar, and Raphinha’s shot forced a fine stop from David de Gea.
But again, United showed Leeds how it was done as they added a fourth through Victor Lindelof. Leeds once again made a hash of defending a set piece, which the Swedish centre-back took advantage of.
Leeds would finally pull one back three minutes before half-time with a set-piece goal of their own. From a corner, captain Liam Cooper rose high to deliver a powerful header past the outstretched de Gea.
After a brief break, the end-to-end attacking action continued in the second half. Martial was again involved in a couple of good chances for United, while Raphinha forced two more great saves from de Gea.
United finally reestablished their four-goal advantage on 66 minutes. McTominay’s pass found Daniel James, who took a brilliant touch to take him away from the Leeds defenders then blasted the ball between the legs of Meslier and into the net.
And two minutes later, United would get their sixth after Martial won a penalty. Bruno Fernandes stepped up to score his second goal of the night.
Stuart Dallas pulled another goal back for Leeds with perhaps the pick of the eight goals on the night – a spectacular curling effort straight into the top corner.
Leeds had Meslier to thank for keeping United from scoring a seventh goal as the young Frenchman made a slew of saves to deny Edinson Cavani, James, Alex Telles, Harry Maguire, and Fred within the span of just a few minutes.
Leeds also had one last chance to make the scoreline a bit more respectable, but Jack Harrison was unable to convert against his old club.
In the end, the eight goals and a handful of other great chances were more than enough in the first instalment of the Roses rivalry.
Key statistics
This Roses derby was an all-out feast of attacking football with Premier League 2020 highlights galore. There were 43 total shots fired, 26 from United and 17 from Leeds. Although, the home side had a significant edge in shots on target (14-3).
McTominay made a bit of history by becoming the first player to score two goals in the first three minutes of a Premier League match.
Martial, who had a goal and an assist in United’s 3-2 win against Sheffield United in midweek, took another step in the right direction with a couple more assists. Meanwhile, Bruno’s brace and assist now gives him 9 goals and 5 assists in 13 Premier League matches this season.
What’s next?
Manchester United will be in action once again in midweek as they take on an in-form Everton side that’s won three matches in a row in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Shortly thereafter, United will go away to Leicester City on Boxing Day, where a win could further improve their Premier League 2020 odds of winning the title. Tune in to SBOTOP for a comprehensive breakdown of that blockbuster encounter.
Meanwhile, Leeds will look to bounce back from this humbling defeat when they host relegation strugglers Burnley at Elland Road.
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