Manchester United moved third in the Premier League with a frenzied 6-2 victory over Leeds after an exhilarating 90 minutes that resembled a basketball game at Old Trafford.
Goals were predicted between these old rivals – Gary Neville described Leeds as the “perfect opponent” for Man Utd on commentary – and the goals duly flooded in. Scott McTominay got the hosts started with barely a minute on the clock with a low, long-range effort, and the midfielder got his second within three minutes with a neat finish inside the box.
Leeds’s defence rolled out the red carpet as Bruno Fernandes lashed Man Utd three ahead through a narrow gap from 12 yards (20), and the visitors conceded four goals for the fourth time already this season as Victor Lindelof converted at the far post after Anthony Martial flicked on a corner (37).
Leeds pulled one back through Liam Cooper’s header from their own corner (42), with five goals and 18 shots in a chaotic first half, but Man Utd regained their four-goal lead as Daniel James shot through the legs of Illan Meslier (66) following a counter-attack.
Fernandes’ penalty made it 6-1 after Pascal Struijk fouled Martial (70), and the chaos continued as Stuart Dallas curled a beauty into the top right corner for 6-2 (73), sandwiched in-between several guilt-edged chances at both ends.
It somehow ended 6-2 – Man Utd in particular could have easily made double figures – with 43 shots registered between the sides, meaning Man Utd moved five points off leaders Liverpool with a game in hand. “Liverpool are still the strongest, but United could be the best of the rest,” said Roy Keane on Sky Sports after the game.
Leeds are 14th, having conceded 30 goals in 14 games.