Manchester United score 6 in the Premier League for the first time since that 8-2 embarrassment of Arsenal. The Red Devils put 6 past Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United and thus become the 2nd team to score 6 against Bielsa. The first being San Lorenzo’s 6-0 beating of Newell’s Old Boys back in 1992.
But credits where credits due, Bielsa’s boys came to Old Trafford with an intent to attack and score goals. Not a lot of teams enter the Theatre of Dreams like that. However, their intent to attack was the reason behind their destruction.
The goals scored by Manchester United proved that man-to-man pressing won’t work against players like Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial. Leeds started pressing from the 1st minute itself which led to a vast open space in the middle of the field. The Red Devils dominated this open space and overran the Leeds midfield.
Manchester United jumped up to 3rd in the Premier League table after their win against Leeds United.
MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER RATINGS:
DAVID DE GEA (GK) – 7
The Spaniard is slowly but surely getting back to his 2017/18 form. De Gea made a couple of fine saves to deny Leeds from scoring more. Couldn’t do much to save the 2 worldies Leeds scored.
DEFENDERS
AARON WAN-BISSAKA (RB) – 6
Wan-Bissaka has struggled with far-post crosses this whole season. Leeds took advantage of this and scored their 1st goal. AWB didn’t close down Dallas for his goal either.
VICTOR LINDELOF (CB) – 7
The Swede scored his first goal of the season from an Anthony Martial flick from a corner. Struggled a bit against Patrick Bamford but was solid nonetheless.
HARRY MAGUIRE (CB) – 7
The Manchester United captain was vocal in organizing his defence.
LUKE SHAW (LB) – 7
Shaw was not supposed to start last night as he was still ill the day before. Looked bright going forward, he had an important role in the 2nd and 3rd goal. Got subbed after 60 minutes.
MIDFIELDERS
FRED (CM) – 8
Fred complimented Scott McTominay well in the midfield pivot. A couple of sloppy passes here and there but a splendid performance anyway.
SCOTT MCTOMINAY (CM) – 10
Scored the first 2 goals of the match in-turn becoming the 1st player in PL history to score a brace in 3 minutes. The Scot dominated the Leeds midfield with ease.
BRUNO FERNANDES (AM) – 10
Set-up McTominay for the first goal and then scored 2 himself. It’s hard to keep The Portuguese Magnifico off the scoresheet for long.
FORWARDS
DANIEL JAMES (RW) – 7
The Welsh winger didn’t stop running the whole game. Joined the attack while in possession and dropped back when out-of-possession. Got a booking for simulation after getting an arm in the face in the penalty box.
MARCUS RASHFORD (LW) – 8
Unlucky to not get a goal last night. MBE Marcus Rashford confused the Leeds defence with his wavy runs and body feints.
ANTHONY MARTIAL (ST) – 8
Martial worked as a playmaker last night setting up 2 goals and winning the penalty. However, he struggled to finish off simple chances which is down to his current confidence levels.
MAN OF THE MATCH: SCOTT MCTOMINAY
Scott McTominay showed glimpses of Roy Keane and Paul Scholes in his game. Named McTerminator by the Old Trafford faithful, he grinded till the last minute of the game getting a groin injury while doing so. He also got praise from Roy Keane which is a once-in-a-while occasion.
“I even like his haircut, I think his haircut looks sharp. It was the perfect game for him. He kept it simple and the kid’s maturing really well. He’ll need to improve more on his stats and goals, but his role in the team has generally been to protect a back four that is dodgy.”
– Roy Keane on Scott McTominay.
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