Fernandes and Pogba drive Red Devils to a glittering victory over rivals Leeds in front of jubilant Old Trafford

Last season, Manchester United beat Leeds United 6-2 in a wild Premier League game. Few could have imagined that a similar scoreline could again happen in these two teams’ meetings – but it did. Two old rivals and attacking-minded teams served up a goal fest in which Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer’s team triumphed thanks to inspired midfielder Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes.

Pogba reminded the fans just why he’s considered one of the best midfielders in the world as he provided his teammates with four gorgeous assists to slice open a tough Leeds defence and delight more than 70,000 fans who returned to pack Old Trafford.

The inspired Frenchman threaded a lovely forward pass into the path of Fernandes and the Portuguese took a sublime touch before slamming a left-footed shot into the net via the underside of goalkeeper Illan Meslier’s legs. First blood to Manchester United.

Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds levelled the score thanks to a breathtaking long-range hit by Luke Ayling just after the break. But sadly for the visitors from Yorkshire, it all went terribly wrong for them shortly. Mason Greenwood restored the lead just four minutes later with a precise left-footed shot into the far corner. The destination of three points was perfectly clear as Bruno added two more goals in quick succession to knock the visitors out and Fred added another with just over 20 minutes left.

Sancho, Varane arrivals raise expectations for Solskajer at Man Utd

With the match already settled, new boy Jaydon Sancho came off the bench to make his Manchester United debut to electric cheers and applause. Simply put, it was a fairy-tale day for the Reds.

To say that it’s been an eventful day in Manchester would be an understatement. Not only the fans got to see the official unveiling of their new defender Raphael Varane on the pitch prior to kick-off, but the entire city of Manchester once again got the see the worst aspects of a bitter rivalry. Hooligans have been causing havoc around Manchester city centre all morning. Manchester United and Leeds supporters were spotted punching and throwing things at each other ahead of the match.

The worst of football was left out in the streets, but the best of football was thankfully seen inside the stadium and on the pitch. Once the fans got into the stadium, many people seemed to have remembered that there was an actual football match on. And not just any match. A big derby and a high-scoring game was just what we needed to see on the first Saturday of the season.

The Red Devils will celebrate another thumping win over Leeds for a long, long time.

PREMIER LEAGUE - Round 1

Friday

Brentford - Arsenal 2-0 (1-0)

/Canos 22, Norgaard 73/

Saturday

Manchester United - Leeds United 5-1 (1-0)

/Fernandes 30, 54, 60, Greenwood 52, Fred 68 - Ayling 48/

17.00: (2.20) Everton (3.10) Southampton (3.60)

17.00: (1.35) Chelsea (4.60) Crystal Palace (10.5)

17.00: (2.95) Burnley (3.00) Brighton (2.60)

17.00: (1.75) Leicester (3.50) Wolverhampton (5.10)

17.00: (3.10) Watford (3.25) Aston Villa (2.35)

19.30: (7.50) Norwich (4.60) Liverpool (1.43)

Sunday

16.00: (3.15) Newcastle (3.30) West Ham (2.30)

18.30: (5.20) Tottenham (3.70) Man.City (1.70)

***odds are subject to change