Manchester: A Bruno Fernandes hat-trick helped Manchester United start their 2021-22 Premier League campaign on a rousing note as the Red Devils thrashed Leeds United 5-1 at the Old Trafford on Saturday.
Heavily criticised last season, Frenchman Paul Pogba also answered back with four assists — including two for Bruno — as the hosts rampaged through the entire 90 minutes on the pitch. Meanwhile, Manchester United also unveiled the newest signing in another France star Raphael Varane.
The Portuguese opened the scoresheet for Manchester United in the 30th minute. Also known as ‘The Whites’ or ‘The Peacocks’, Leeds pulled in an equaliser from a Luke Ayling strike in the 48th minute assisted by Stuart Dallas.
The perfect day for @B_Fernandes8 👏#MUFC | #MUNLEE
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 14, 2021
Mason Greenwood put United back in the lead, again from a Pogba assist in the 52nd minute before Bruno extended two minutes later. The 26-year-old completed his hat-trick, also first of the season, at the hour mark when Victor Lindelof relayed a ball to the Portuguese who skillfully put it over Leeds’ custodian Illan Meslier.
Fred put the icing on the cake in the 68th minute slotting past Meslier – a cutback from Pogba again. “I know that the headlines will probably be about Bruno or Paul but this is a team effort. The space Mason (Greenwood) creates for Bruno when the two open up the channels has been worked on this week,” Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjær said.
“I am very impressed with Paul’s fitness levels as well. He looks fit, ready to go. I love seeing Paul, Bruno, all these guys smiling, enjoying their football. “It has been a perfect day in that respect. I love the 12.30 kick-off – just driving in with the fans outside, you come inside and feel the energy, absolutely brilliant. It has been a very good day. This is Manchester United – everyone together.”
Football. Is. Back. 🤩#MUFC | #MUNLEE
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 14, 2021
Elsewhere at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea roared to a 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace. The first came from Marcus Alonso as the midfielder curled in a freekick on 27 minutes before Christian Pulisic doubled the scoreline 13 minutes later.
In the second half, Chelsea’s new signing Trevor Chalobah, who had already impressed on his debut in the UEFA Super Cup final against Villarreal, scored the third for the Blues extinguishing Crystal Palace’s hopes of a revival.
At Goodison Park, Everton came from behind to land in a 3-1 win over Southampton. Watford defeated Aston Villa 3-2 while Leicester City edged past Wolverhampton Wanderers by a solitary goal from Jamie Vardy.
At Carrow Road, two assists and a goal from Mohammad Salah set the spirits high for Liverpool as they marched into a 3-0 victory over Norwich City. Diogo Jota opened the sheet for Liverpool in the 26th minute before Brazilian Roberto Firmino scored from a Salah assist. The third goal came from the Egyptian himself at the 74th minute as he curled between two Norwich defenders and found the net.
