Scott McTominay scored the earliest double in Premier League history as Manchester United earned a thrilling 6-2 victory over Leeds United at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have been guilty of starting slowly this season, but the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were out of the blocks like Usain Bolt and were ahead after two minutes, thanks to an unerring finish from McTominay, whose powerful strike from a Fernandes pass was something to behold.
Seconds later, the Scotland international channeled his early adrenaline by surging up the pitch to provide an overlapping run for Anthony Martial and, after an intelligent step-over to control the Frenchman’s pass, he hit a firm finish into the far corner.
That made McTominay the first Premier League player ever to score twice in the opening three minutes of a game and, incidentally, the first player to score twice in this fixture in the league since Solskjaer bagged a brace at Elland Road in 2002.
Those early goals required a response from Leeds and Bielsa’s side missed an excellent opportunity when Patrick Bamford opened up his body to shoot wide on seven minutes. The striker successfully found the net 12 minutes later, but the linesman correctly ruled it out for offside.
Before they knew it, the visitors were 3-0 down following a lightning-fast counter from United that began with former Leeds transfer target James intercepting possession near the halfway line. His pass to Fernandes led to Fred dribbling up the pitch to find Martial and, when presented with a loose ball, Bruno struck a low shot past the helpless Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
United were running riot by this point and made it 4-0 with 37 minutes on the clock: Luke Shaw’s corner was flicked on by Martial and Lindelof was on hand at the back post to finish with ease. The Swedish international admitted in the official programme that he is playing through the pain of a back injury and his commitment to the cause deserves plenty of praise.
Leeds managed to pull a goal back before the break, courtesy of Cooper’s towering header from Raphinha’s in-swinging corner, which wrapped up a sensational first half.
But any hopes of a fightback by Leeds were dashed on 66 minutes when McTominay turned provider for Daniel James to slot in a fifth.
Fernandes added a sixth goal from the penalty spot after Martial had been fouled, before Stuart Dallas scored a spectacular consolation for Leeds in a match featuring 43 shots.
Manchester United are up to third in the Premier League table – five points off the top and with a game in hand.
Manchester United: De Gea, Shaw (Telles 60), Lindelof, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka, Fred, McTominay, Fernandes (van de Beek 71), James, Rashford (Cavani 71), Martial. Subs not used: Henderson, Bailly, Pogba, Mata, Greenwood, Matic.
Leeds United: Meslier, Alioski, Ayling, Cooper (Davis 72), Dallas, Phillips (Struijk 45), Klich (Shackleton 45), Rodrigo, Harrison, Raphinha, Bamford. Subs not used: Casilla, Poveda, Roberts, Costa, Hernandez.
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