[ad_1]
Publication date: Wednesday, October 28, 2020 10:14
Super substitute Marcus Rashford scored his first Manchester United hat-trick against RB Leipzig, inspiring Manchester United to win 5-0 against last year’s Champions League semi-finalists.
A week after their well-deserved triumph at finalist Paris St Germain, United continued their 100% start in Group H by clinching their first home win of the season in some style.
Rashford was the hero in the French capital and was key again on Wednesday, scoring a triple from the bench when Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood also scored against Bundesliga leaders Leipzig.
READ: Solskjaer produces his best game from the embers of his worst
It was a devastating attacking performance which means United appear poised to reach the knockout phase after just two tough group games.
The hosts entered the break with a low shot from Greenwood, but Julian Nagelsmann’s Leipzig looked threatening, prompting Solskjaer to use his bench.
What a decision it turned out to be. The video assistant referee gave the green light to Rashford’s first goal with a pass from teammate Bruno Fernandes, and the forward quickly followed with an impressive second.
Martial took the penalty he won when United went wild, with star man Rashford finishing and completing his hat-trick.
Few could have foreseen that these teams’ first meeting would be so one-sided given the pattern of a match that Leipzig approached with the kind of confidence Nagelsmann showed in selecting their touchline outfit.
But the manager also highlighted the need to balance that self-assurance with awareness of United’s threats of attack, with Fred’s diverted effort and the early warning signs of a menacing martial cross.
United broke the deadlock in the 21st minute. Fred won the ball in midfield and Paul Pogba pushed forward, his direct pass setting Greenwood for a clever left-footed shot low over Peter Gulacsi.
The VAR scored the goal, but Dayot Upamecano, a defender with fans at Old Trafford, claimed the play from the 19-year-old onside.
Leipzig responded positively to that setback, with Christopher Nkunku forcing a smart save from David De Gea and Nemanja Matic reacting to prevent Marcel Halstenberg from reaching the end of the resulting corner.
United resisted the renewed threat from Leipzig for the remainder of the opening period, with Upamecano’s penalty call after being pushed by Pogba ignored just before the half-time whistle.
The hosts were asking for a penalty six minutes into the second half, but if Ibrahima Konate drove while on deck, he was not considered worthy of a penalty.
United showed only flashes in attack and Leipzig were struggling to create clear chances at the other end, with De Gea on alert to dump a header from Konate from close range in the 65th minute.
Solskjaer made three changes at the time in an attempt to change the dynamics and one of the introduced almost created a stupendous second, with Fernandes launching a free kick over the wall that the extended Martial simply failed to land.
But the Portuguese would soon provide a forceful assist, sending an excellent ball for the first time that put Rashford running to coolly pass Gulacsi.
The linesman had long since raised the flag for offside but the VAR verified his decision, ruling that the forward was in his own court and thus conceding the goal.
Rashford was celebrating again moments later, with the England international impressively cutting Upamecano before coming home as things fell apart for Leipzig.
Martial scored from the point in the 85th minute after being brought down by Marcel Sabitzer, apparently denying Rashford a chance for a hat-trick.
But he had other ideas, shooting home in injury time to secure the match ball.
So Patrick Bamford got us thinking of absolutely random hat-trick scorers in the Premier League. Justice for “busy” Kevin Lisbie.
[ad_2]
