EPL results: Man United dismantle Leeds in eight-goal thriller

December 20

20:15 2020

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Manchester United scored six times, including four in the first half, to dismantle Leeds United 6-2 in the English Premier League (EPL) match played at Old Trafford on Sunday.

There were braces for Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes, with rare goal contributions also coming from Daniel James and Victor Lindelof as Man United scored six goals in an EPL game for the first time in over nine years.

It was also the first time in 28 years a team coached by Marcelo Bielsa would concede six goals.

The rival clubs met in their first league clash in 16 years and it was Man United that came out top in the eight-goal thriller that had Ole Gunnar Solskjaer beaming with smiles for a well-orchestrated win going into Christmas.

It was a wild and bizarre encounter that had 43 shots on goal, with a brutal Man United side pounding a baffled Leeds to earn their highest-scoring game and win of the season.

Bielsa had won both games he managed against United before this encounter but the Argentine came unstuck in this Roses derby in the North of England with his team conceding twice in the first three minutes to open the floodgate of goals.

McTominay was the early benefactor with both goals that put the Red Devils two up. The Scottish midfielder lashed a 20-yard right-foot shot into the net for the first and a left-footer for the second.

Fernandes, United’s stand-out performer since his arrival in January, made it three on 30 minutes when he slammed a poor clearance that rolled into his path into the net from 12 yards.

Leeds misery continued with Victor Lindelof adding the fourth from close range off Anthony Martial’s knock-on from a corner kick.

Despite the poor defensive display, the Whites managed to go into the interval with a goal with Lee Cooper’s header giving Bielsa’s bewildered players some respite but a relentless United continued the onslaught in the second period.

James who was given a rare start added the fifth goal with a cool finish before Fernandes completed his brace from the penalty spot following a foul on Martial in the box.

The final goal of the wild encounter was another unstoppable beauty from 20 yards, this time Stuart Dallas was on the end of it to give Leeds further consolation.

Manchester United rise to third on the EPL log with 26 points, five behind leaders Liverpool and with a game in hand, while Leeds are rooted in 14th position, three points ahead of Arsenal.