Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes were the stars of the show as Manchester United claimed a 6-2 win over Leeds United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
In what was an electric start to the game, Manchester United were two up within three minutes, as Scott McTominay scored a couple of fabulous goals. Half an hour later, United’s lead was doubled, as Bruno Fernandes first found the back of the net at the end of a brilliant move before Victor Lindelof scored from close range after a glancing header by Anthony Martial from a corner.
However, heading into half-time, Leeds United had pulled a goal back through captain Liam Cooper, who nodded in from a corner in the 41st minute. Manchester United, though, were simply rampant on Sunday and were 6-1 up midway through the second period, as Daniel James scored a fine close range goal before Bruno Fernandes completed his brace from the spot.
Leeds pulled another goal back through a superb long range curler by Stuart Dallas, but a comeback was never going to come to fruition. In fact, thereafter, Manchester United missed some chances of their own to add some more gloss to the scoreline, but the game ended 6-2 in their favour. The Red Devils are now up to third on the Premier League table and The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men.
David de Gea: 7/10
Despite the emphatic win, de Gea was never really a spectator on the night. Raphinha, in particular, did test the Manchester United no. 1, but de Gea was equal to those efforts. Could not have done anything to deny either Liam Cooper or Stuart Dallas. Sprayed some fine long balls from his box.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 6/10
A game of hits and misses from Wan-Bissaka. The young full-back was solid for the most part at the back apart from a couple of instances when Raphinha had his measure. Going forward, though, he was hardly an outlet while he also lost the ball cheaply at times. On Sunday, his attacking output was not needed to be a factor, but he desperately needs to improve.
Victor Lindelof: 8/10
A solid effort by Lindelof, who made some important clearances to ensure that de Gea was not tested a whole lot despite Leeds’ relentless attacking endeavours. On the other end, the Swede showed superb movement to score Manchester United’s fourth goal of the evening. Will hope to remain consistent as a tricky run beckons.
Harry Maguire: 7/10
Much like his partner at the heart of the Manchester United defence, Maguire was a solid customer on Sunday, keeping Patrick Bamford in check. Some of his defensive numbers were impressive – 6/7 duels won, 3 clearances, 3 interceptions, 2 blocks. Did not get a major chance to score on the other end. Did his job at the back.
Luke Shaw: 8/10
Back into the starting lineup, Shaw made a fine start to the game by winning the ball and initiating the move for Scott McTominay’s first goal. The deliveries from his corners carried a lot of threat and one such ball found its way to Lindelof via Anthony Martial for Manchester United’s fourth. Solid enough at the back against the tricky Jack Harrison.
Scott McTominay: 10/10
3 – Scott McTominay is the first player in Premier League history to score twice in the first three minutes of a match. Madness. pic.twitter.com/QtFGGS1JXa
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 20, 2020
A top class display by McTominay. The young midfielder scored two goals within the first three minute of the game, becoming the first-ever player to do so in the Premier League era. The drilled effort for his first was simply brilliant while McTominay showed superb movement before latching on to Martial’s pass and completing his brace.
McTominay also provided the assist for Daniel James’s goal, holding the ball well before spotting the run of the Welshman. Between all that, he was typically industrious off the ball and even played a couple of other key passes. Hobbled off with an injury that Solskjaer will hope is nothing serious.
Fred: 7.5/10
As ever, Fred was energetic in the middle of the park and ran himself into the ground in order to cut out any moves that Leeds looked to create through the middle. Linked up wonderfully with Bruno Fernandes in the build-up to the Portuguese’s first goal. His only real blemish was being weak when Cooper headed in the first Leeds goal. Quite solid otherwise.
Daniel James: 8/10
James made a frustrating start to the game as he was harshly booked for simulation. In the early exchanges, the Welshman was somewhat anonymous, but he slowly grew into the game and at the hour mark, he found the back of the net, collecting McTominay’s pass with an excellent first touch before scoring past Illan Meslier. Will be buoyed and hope to put an end to speculation around him.
Bruno Fernandes: 10/10
Bruno Fernandes’ game by numbers vs. Leeds United:
9 ball recoveries
5 shots (2 on target)
3 chances created
3 clearances
2 tackles
2 goals
1 assistRidiculous. ⚽️⚽️?️ pic.twitter.com/DH4zAIx8E2
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 20, 2020
After a lull in the last two games, Bruno Fernandes was back to his very best. Laid the ball off for McTominay to score his first then initiated the move for his goal with a sumptuous flick. Bruno Fernandes was still not done, though, and he converted from the spot midway through the second half before getting a breather from Solskjaer. Will hope to get some rest in the midweek cup tie.
Marcus Rashford: 7/10
After a stunning performance against Sheffield United, Rashford was not as involved against Leeds. But, the English international still carried significant threat and continued linking up well with Bruno Fernandes. His movement created pockets of space that was exploited by McTominay and Martial.
Anthony Martial: 8.5/10
Yet another indication that Martial is steadily improving. The Frenchman might not have a goal to show for his efforts, but he was still heavily involved in the proceedings. Set up McTominay for his second with a marvellous lay-off and also set Lindelof with a clever glancing header.
Martial also won the penalty that was converted by Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United’s sixth of the night. Had plenty of chances to find the back of the net himself, but he fluffed his lines. Now needs to become clinical again, as the rest of his game starts coming back to him.
Anthony Martial vs Leeds:
55 touches
25 passes completed (81%)
10/17 duels won
— 8/13 ground duels
7/8 take-ons completed
4 chances created
— 3 big chances
2 assists
1 penalty wonHe didn't score but was brilliant overall. pic.twitter.com/BTxNu0MOeq
— UtdArena (@utdarena) December 20, 2020
SUBSTITUTES
Alex Telles: 7/10
On for Shaw at the hour mark, Telles continued from where the Englishman left off. His delivery from set-pieces carried a great deal of threat and he played a couple of key passes as well. Was not tested a great deal defensively, but did make a fine clearance.
Donny van de Beek: 6/10
Introduced in place of Bruno Fernandes, van de Beek did not see a lot of the ball, as Manchester United went into cruise control mode late in the game.
Edinson Cavani: 6/10
On for Rashford, Cavani had a couple of chances to score a goal himself, but could not find the back of the net. Will be glad to get some minutes under his belt.
