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MANCHESTER: Manchester United demolished Leeds 6-2 in the teams’ first league meeting in 16 years to bolster their Premier League title aspirations on Sunday (December 20).
Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes scored twice as United’s counter-attack threat shattered Marcelo Bielsa’s attacking approach to move the Red Devils to third place, five points behind leader Liverpool with one game in hand.
The long-awaited clash as a historic rivalry that was renewed lacked the fervor of an Old Trafford complete in the stands, but more than delivered on the field.
However, there was little doubt about the outcome after just three minutes, as McTominay scored twice on an incredible start.
The Scottish international leaped forward from his deep midfield role to crush home a Fernandes pass from outside the area and then scored the direct pass from Anthony Martial.
Bielsa was among the finalists for FIFA Coach of the Year this week for guiding Leeds back to the top flight.
However, the Argentine’s determination to play with the same open style regardless of the opposition failed as the visitors were 4-0 down in 37 minutes.
Fernandes pounced on a fumble inside the box after another quick counterattack before another Leeds ‘Achilles heel’, defending set pieces, was exposed as Victor Lindelof swept Martial’s shot from a corner.
Leeds had plenty of chances at the other end, as Patrick Bamford cut wide when he beat David De Gea when the score was 2-0.
However, they didn’t get on the scoreboard until four minutes before halftime when captain Liam Cooper headed inside the post from a corner.
De Gea returned to United’s goal in place of Dean Henderson, who had a night to forget in a 3-2 win over Sheffield United on Thursday, and the Spaniard showed why he remains Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s number one with an impressive save to avoid. Raphinha makes it 4-2.
Daniel James arrived within minutes of becoming a Leeds player in the January 2019 transfer window before his move from Swansea collapsed and the Welsh international moved to United six months later.
Solskjaer gave James an unusual start, knowing his halftime speed would cause problems, and earned his reward for an impressive display as he held onto McTominay’s pass to overtake Illan Meslier by a fifth of United with 24 minutes left. .
Moments later, Leeds took six hits as Martial flipped inside the penalty area and Fernandes took United’s 10th penalty of the season.
Scoring didn’t stop there when Stuart Dallas fired a wonderful effort into the top corner of Leeds deficit.
Meslier made a series of late saves to deny that United equaled Liverpool’s seven-goal thrashing of Crystal Palace on Saturday, while Jack Harrison should have added another for Leeds later, as a breathless encounter ended 43 attempts to door.
United had previously struggled to match their perfect away form in the league this season, but only a second win in seven games at Old Trafford propels Solskjaer’s men back to contention for the title as Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City have lost points last week.
The defeat leaves Leeds still 14th, but with a seven-point cushion above the relegation zone.
