Manchester United cam firing out the blocks against Leeds, as Scott McTominay bagged a brace inside two minutes before Bruno Fernandes added a third, and Victor Lindelof a fourth on 37 minutes.
It was always going to be an open game, with Leeds' commitment to Marcelo Bielsa's expansive, fluid, man to man system, and Manchester United's preference to hit teams on the break. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's decision to pick Daniel James - who almost became a Leeds player - was indicative of his approach to the game.
But nobody expected this.
McTominay's first was an exquisite strike, as the Scottish international allowed the ball to roll across him before cutting across it, fizzing the ball into the bottom corner past a helpless Meslier in the Leeds goal.
https://twitter.com/FootballJOE/status/1340698583574716416
And just a minute later, he was at it again, with a bursting run from midfield before he latched onto a reverse through ball from Anthony Martial. One touch with his right, a quick finish with his left, and United were 2-0 up.
Still wary of Leeds' attacking threat - and with only one game plan - United did not intend to shut up shop for 88 minutes.
Another attack fell to Bruno Fernandes near the far post, and the Portuguese lashed the ball back across the goal into the far corner to make it 3-0.
https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1340701963629969410
Lindelof's goal came from a well worked corner, as Anthony Martial's flick-on header landed perfectly at the back post for the Swede to slot home from three yards.
Leeds captain Liam Cooper then pulled one back before half-time, keeping the game on course for my 4-4 prediction.
https://twitter.com/FootballJOE/status/1340694184525778956
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