This evening, a historic fixture adds another chapter to its story. A rivalry between two sides that in the past has created feisty and aggressive games. Manchester United v Leeds United face off for the first time in 17 years in the Premier League.
Manchester United are the hosts in this one. It has been a season of ups and downs for them and it has landed them in 7th place with a game in hand on some of the sides above them. A win here could take them temporarily up to as high as third. Their away record is outstanding, but at home they struggle to win with just one win in the last five home games.
Last time out Manchester United played Sheffield United and fought out a 3-2 win away from home. Marcus Rashford picking up 2 goals and Anthony Martial getting his first goal of the season as well. They will look to build on this here today.
Leeds on the other hand have had a fairly decent start to the campaign in terms of performances – less so on the points tally. For a newly promoted side however they will be happy. They come into this one in 14th place on 17 points but have been endlessly praised for their attacking and attractive football.
In their last game, they faced Newcastle United and fought out a 5-2 victory. Three goals in the last 15 minutes seeing out the win. As mentioned they often play good football and hope to use that to their advantage at Old Trafford.
Starting Lineups
Kick Off – Leeds get the game underway
2″ GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Leeds United. What a start for Manchester United. They put a lot of pressure on the Leeds players and it has ended in a goal. Bruno Fernandes finds Scott McTominay who strikes the ball beautifully into the bottom corner. Perfect way to start the game for Manchester United.
3″ GOAL! Manchester United 2-0 Leeds United. And it just gets better. From a throw in the ball made its way to Martial who finds McTominay again. A lovely first touch and another great finish. Can Manchester United keep this up?
7″ Big chance for Leeds after some poor play from Manchester United. Rodrigo found Patrick Bamford who tried to slide it into the far corner. Just wide of the mark. This is looking like it may be an interesting game here with both sides creating chances early on.
This has been a fascinating opening few minutes and makes you miss the fans being inside Old Trafford. Both teams looking bright but Manchester United have been on it so far. Leeds have scored 22 goals so far this season – 7th best in the league, only behind those making up the top 6. I would be surprised if they can’t get anyone on the scoresheet here.
17″ We could see a lot of goals here with both teams going back and forth. It is making for a very exciting game with both sides really going for it in the first 17 minutes.
19″ Manchester United get away with one hereafter Bamford puts the ball in the back of the net. But the flag is up for offside. It was a good finish on the volley but it won’t count for anything.
20″ GOAL! Manchester United 3-0 Leeds United. Outstanding from Manchester United yet again. On the break they are looking very dangerous. They win the ball back and attack with menacing speed. The ball ends up with Fernandes who finishes well into the far corner.
Embed from Getty ImagesThat is Fernandes’ eighth goal of the season. He has had such a large impact on this Manchester United side after signing in January from Sporting Lisbon. He is on the scoresheet yet again.
Shockingly, Manchester United have equalled their home scoring tally already in this game. Three goals scored at home before this game and in the space of 20 minutes they have done the same.
25″ Mateusz Klich whips in a good ball for Leeds and once again Bamford gets on the end of it. Just over the bar. They are certainly testing the home side here.
Leeds starting to put more and more pressure on Manchester United when they have the ball. Not giving in has been a trademark style of play from them all since Marcelo Bielsa was appointed and it is continuing here.
33″ Another big chance for Leeds here. This time from a corner. As the ball comes in McTominay gets a glancing header as he attempts to clear. The ball falls for Raphinha who forces a good save out of David De Gea. They continue the pressure.
Daniel James using his pace to his advantage here as Manchester United come forward. This certainly helping with the blistering counter attacks of Manchester United which I am sure we will see throughout this game.
James so nearly signed for Leeds a cruises years ago. The deal didn’t get over the line before the close of the transfer window though so was scrapped. A year later he signed for Manchester United. This a big opportunity for him as he makes his fifth appearance in the league this season.
35″ A corner on the opposite end of the field now following a fast-paced Manchester United counter-attack. Leeds have conceded eight goals from set-pieces this season. The joint most of any team in the league – level with Leicester City. A chance to make it nine if Manchester United can get one here.
36″ GOAL! Manchester United 4-0 Leeds United. The corner does result in a goal and Manchester United are in a much more comfortable position now. The ball in from Fernandes finds Martial who’s glancing header makes it’s way to Victor Lindelöf comes at the back post. Outstanding once again from Manchester United.
Embed from Getty Images42″ GOAL! Manchester United 4 – 1 Leeds United. A goal from a corner at the other end now. The ball whipped in well and Liam Cooper wins a header. David De Gea gets a hand to it but the ball ends up in the net. Can Leeds somehow get back into this one?
Despite the huge lead, Manchester United can’t be comfortable here. Leeds have seen a lot of the ball (59% possession) and created the same amount of chances as Manchester United. Down but not out quite yet.
44″ It is another corner for Manchester United – their fourth of the game. The ball comes in and ends up with Rashford. He has a go and Illan Meslier gets down well to save. Back and Forth action at Old Trafford.
Half Time – Manchester United 4-1 Leeds United
An absolutely unbelievable first half. This has been such an exciting game to watch. Five goals in the first half sets up for what could be an even better second 45 minutes. Manchester United have looked incredibly dangerous on the counter-attack and torn Leeds United apart. Leeds certainly not out of this one though despite the scoreline. They are creating a lot of chances and a late first-half goal could have put them back in it.
If both teams continue in the same vein we could end up with a lot more goals and an even more exciting half of football. Neutral fans must be loving this one.
Second Half Kicks Off!
47″ Right at the start of the half Manchester United have a great chance. Fernandes found Martial well who had a go following a great touch. The ball goes wide. He should really be putting that one on target at least. I’m sure he is disappointed not to have done better.
Early on in the second half it seems like we are going to be in for more of the same. Lots of chances and hopefully plenty of goals.
50″ Rodrigo has been picking out some great crosses today and another one in here creates a big chance for Leeds to close the deficit. The ball goes over Aaron Wan Bissaka and finds Raphinha. Brilliantly saved by De Gea.
52″ First yellow card of the game goes to Daniel James. Referee Anthony Taylor feels as though he dived as he ran through on goal. To me it looked as though James had been fouled after taking an arm to the face. The referee thought otherwise though.
60″ The fast and furious action continuing as we hit the hour mark here. Manchester United attack with Martial having a go from a tight angle. It is deflected and out for yet another Manchester United corner. The corner comes to nothing but the chances continuing to come.
64″ Raphinha has been at the forefront of many of Leeds’s attacks today and here is another one for him. A great strike forces a save from De Gea at his near post.
66″ GOAL! Manchester United 5-1 Leeds United. Surprise selection James gets on the scoresheet with a brilliant goal. McTominay does well to find his way past the Leeds midfield. He finds a lovely pass for James who slots it through the legs of Meslier. Surely this one is over now.
Embed from Getty Images68″ PENALTY! Manchester United win a penalty. Rashford and Martial linking up nicely in the box. Eventually Martial goes down and wins the penalty. An obvious one for Anthony Taylor.
70″ GOAL! Manchester United 6-1 Leeds United. Fernandes converts the penalty in style as he so often does. Yet another penalty goal for the Portuguese international who has made it almost his trademark to score from the penalty spot.
Embed from Getty Images72″ Another opportunity for Martial and another opportunity that she should have scored. Very unlucky considering the amount of space and time he had. Forces a good save.
This the first time Manchester United have scored six or more at home since 2011. The result there was 8-2 against Arsenal. Seems to make this result all the more impressive.
73″ GOAL! Manchester United 6-2 Leeds United. Leeds keep fighting and get themselves a goal now. Stuart Dallas on the edge of the box collects the ball after a lovely Raphinha lay off. He strikes it fantastically into the top corner and gives De Gea no chance.
Embed from Getty Images77″ Shouts for a Leeds penalty as a corner comes in. The shouts were half-hearted really though and the referee waves appeals away. VAR has a look and gives nothing.
79″ McTominay has been outstanding today. That effort on goal certainly shows how confident he is. A shot from very far outside the box goes wide. He smiles as he walks away knowing maybe he should have laid it off.
80″ This game has had so many corners and Leeds United win yet another one here. Jack Harrison picks up the ball and has a go. His shot blocked. The resulting corner goes out for another which creates a big chance for Luke Ayling. His header goes over the bar though.
85″ Late on and the shots still coming in thick and fast on both sides. A double chance here for Manchester United here who should have increased their lead. Edinson Cavani had a go which was saved well. James followed up for the rebound, once again forces a good save.
86″ Counterattack from Manchester United ends with an effort from Alex Telles who has his shot saved. The resulting corner comes in from Telles and Maguire’s header easily saved. Chance after chance. This game could easily have 20+ goals if most of the efforts went in.
86″ Meslier throws the ball out of the box and Manchester United are quick to intercept and get the ball back. Big chance for the seventh of the game but Fred’s shot is saved. They may have gotten away with one there Leeds.
Manchester United and Leeds United really attacking well. 25 shots for Manchester United to Leeds’s 16 at this point. This has been an astonishing game with so many chances. End to end stuff.
89″ Rodrigo picks the ball up on the left-hand side. He plays the ball in well but everyone in the box leaves it to go past them. Luke Ayling eventually takes a shot from the far side of the box that goes wide of the mark. Another chance for Leeds taking their tally for the game up to 17.
90″ McTominay is forced to leave the pitch here with what appears to be a groin injury. He is certainly the man of the match in this one and will be happy with his performance in this one for sure.
Embed from Getty ImagesFULL TIME! Manchester United 6-2 Leeds United
What a game! It was back and forth and the scoreline certainly doesn’t reflect the game we saw. Such a close affair between these two. 43 shots altogether today showing how interesting it has been. A tight affair with a less than tight scoreline but Manchester United took their chances today and looked emphatic.
Manchester United go into third now – just five points off the top with a game in hand. It will put them in a good place in terms of confidence for the rest of the season I am sure. Next up is a Carabao Cup fixture against Everton and then a big league game against Leicester who currently sit in second place.
Leeds remain in 14th place on 17 points. They seem comfortable away from relegation but need to continue playing well and try to continue picking up points where they can – even though they didn’t pick up any here today. Their next game is Burnley where I am sure they will feel confident in picking up points.
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