Manchester United have started their Premier League season with a bang.
United beat Leeds 5-1 at Old Trafford on a hugely satisfying afternoon for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Here is a look at five things we learned from the game.
▪︎Varane is a Red Devil
As the days dragged on without an announcement, there was some nervousness about why Raphael Varane’s transfer hadn’t been confirmed yet.
But United welcomed him in style, parading him on the pitch before kick off. Old Trafford loved it.
Varane has now had a taste of the Old Trafford atmosphere and watched on as United handed out a thumping.
We can’t wait to see him in this team. Jadon Sancho also made his debut off the bench and it was the perfect situation for him to get his first taste of life in a red shirt.
🔊 BRUNO! ⚽️
It just had to be him…
What a ball from Paul Pogba to set up Fernandes for the opening goal! 👌 pic.twitter.com/y8lE224hCB
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 14, 2021
▪︎Bruno is back
Bruno Fernandes hit the ground running against Everton last weekend and was even better here.
He scored his first ever Premier League hat-trick with a display of purposeful running and clinical finishing.
Bruno hasn’t played in front of a full house at Old Trafford all that often but he clearly relishes operating in that atmosphere.
It was a mouth-watering glimpse of what could be ahead this season.
A first Premier League hat-trick! ✔️
Bruno Fernandes has started this season exactly how he finished the last one… 🪄
You cannot take your eyes off this game! pic.twitter.com/M9UjS3aoJS
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 14, 2021
▪︎United show great character
Luke Ayling’s stunning equaliser right after half time could easily have shaken United.
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But United responded in the perfect manner, getting straight back in front through Mason Greenwood.
WOOOOW! 🚀
Luke Ayling thumped that one home! pic.twitter.com/9eZGwBcKxT
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 14, 2021
There was no sign of nerves, just a desire to get back on the front foot and clinch the three points.
That bodes well for the season ahead, especially in the coming weeks where United cannot afford to drop many points despite some players coming on off the back of limited pre-seasons.
FOUR assists Paul. FOUR. That’s insane. pic.twitter.com/onzAOeR2H3
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 14, 2021
▪︎Pogba’s major influence
Paul Pogba set up four of United’s goals here. He’s nearly bettered last season’s tally of five league assists within 90 minutes.
From his position on the left, Pogba had a huge influence on the game, showcasing his weight of pass on more than one occasion.
If we’re being picky, he should have opened the scoring before Bruno did, but shot wide when played through 1v1.
But as doubts remain about his future, the best way to respond is with performances like this.
▪︎United repeat the trick
United thrashed Leeds 6-2 in the corresponding fixture last season.
But with fans back in the ground and United coming in from a less than ideal pre-season, a repeat performance wasn’t expected.
United matched Leeds’ running and made the most of the space Marcelo Bielsa’s men left behind.
Leeds might have known what was coming but they couldn’t stop it on an afternoon which was befitting of the return of a full house at Old Trafford (unitedinfocus.com)
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