Manchester United took on Leeds United in the Premier League for the first time since 2004 today.
United have only met their trans-Pennine rivals in two cup games since Leeds’ relegation from the top flight 16 years ago, but Marcelo Bielsa’s side came to Old Trafford this afternoon having impressed so far this season.
The Elland Road club stormed to promotion from the Championship last season but they were quickly 2-0 down to an inspired United side.
Scott McTominay scored two goals inside the opening three minutes, before Bruno Fernandes and Victor Lindelof made it 4-0 inside 38 minutes. Liam Cooper pulled a goal back for the visitors, but Daniel James and a Fernandes penalty gave United six, before Stuart Dallas’ consolation. United could have had more but a hugely pulsating encounter ended 6-2 at Old Trafford.
United’s dream start came on two minutes when Fernandes crossed the ball into McTominay in the box whose shot went straight into the bottom right corner.
He added another less than a minute later with Martial picking up his run into the box perfectly.
Patrick Bamford put the ball in the net for Leeds on 19 minutes but replays showed he was well offside and the goal was disallowed.
Fernandes added to Leeds’ woes one minute later when United caught them on the break. The ball was delivered to Martial in the area which Leeds cleared but only as far as Fernandes who hits it into the net from 10 yards out.
Lindelof added United’s fourth with a close range shot on 37 minutes before Liam Cooper headed home from a corner five minutes later to pull one back for Leeds.
Leeds were caught on the counter attack again on 66 minutes with McTominay threading a long pass through to James who hit the ball through Meslier’s legs.