Man Utd 5-1 Leeds: Bruno hat-trick inspires comfortable win

Manchester United have defeated Leeds United 5-1 in their opening Premier League fixture as Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick.

Man Utd summer signing Jadon Sancho was named on the bench for Saturday’s clash with Leeds.

Mason Greenwood led Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s attack at Old Trafford, with Fernandes, Paul Pogba and Daniel James supporting him.

David De Gea started in goal for the Red Devils against a Leeds side who named England midfielder Kalvin Phillips and new boy Junior Firpo among the substitutes.

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The atmosphere at Old Trafford was crackling as kick-off approached and increased several notches when new signing Raphael Varane was paraded on the pitch just minutes after United confirmed his arrival from Real Madrid.

Pogba struck narrowly wide after a nice bit of skill and De Gea denied Mateusz Klich at the other end, with Rodrigo heading wide from a free-kick midway through the first half.

The home side broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark.

A Leeds goal-kick was cut out and Pogba played a lovely first time ball through to Bruno, who took a touch and squeezed it past Illan Meslier to send the crowd wild.

Leeds levelled three minutes into the second half in some style.

Luke Ayling took aim from 25 yards and rifled beyond De Gea into the top-left hand corner – not a bad way for the right-back to open his Premier League account.

But Man Utd regularly showed their mental toughness last season and hit back twice in quick succession.

First Pogba put Greenwood behind the Leeds backline with an exquisite ball, with the teenager hitting a low strike off the far post in front of the Stretford End.

Solskjaer’s side returned to the attack and goal-line technology ruled Fernandes hopeful strike had cross the line before Ayling could clear in the 53rd minute.

Things quickly unravelled for Leeds. Victor Lindelof sent a fine, direct ball from the back and Fernandes watched it over his shoulder before rifling beyond Meslier to make it 4-1.

Leeds chanted ‘you let your country down’ as Jadon Sancho began to warm-up but were soon silenced as Fred made it 5-1 when turning home a Pogba cross.