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Manchester United vs Leeds LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction today

Follow all the fallout from Old Trafford

Emmet Gates
Saturday 14 August 2021 13:51 EDT
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(AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester United thrashed Leeds United 5-1 at Old Trafford in the Premier League’s early kick-off to make a statement in their season-opener.

After finishing second to rivals Manchester City last season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made no secret that his side are targeting the title this campaign, with his squad bolstered by the high-profile additions of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane. Despite that, though, the manager had to wrestle with several absentees for his side’s curtain-raiser. Varane has not yet been registered due to small details of his contract that remain to be finalised. Sancho only came off the bench in the second half, while Edinson Cavani, Marcus Rashford and Dean Henderson were all ruled out.

But that did not stop Man United from running riot in front of a returning capacity crowd, with Bruno Fernandes netting a hat-trick as Fred and Mason Greenwood rounded out the scoring for the hosts. Paul Pogba, meanwhile, recorded four assists along the way to rival man of the match Fernandes.

Luke Ayling hit a stunning strike early in the second half to pull Leeds level – very briefly – but it was nothing more than a consolation, with Man United responding immediately with three goals to add to Fernandes’ opener. Fred soon added the final finish for Solskjaer’s side.

Relive all the action below:

Norwich 0-1 Liverpool

62 mins: Save! Tim Krul makes a low stop to deny Tsimikas, who struck the ball well after being slipped in by Mane.

Jamie Braidwood14 August 2021 18:51

Norwich 0-1 Liverpool

58 mins: Liverpool are the first side to turn to their bench. The Brazilian duo of Fabinho and Firmino are about to come on.

Jota and Oxlade-Chamberlain are the ones to be withdrawn. One of those players made a decisive impact, the other did not...

Jamie Braidwood14 August 2021 18:48

Norwich 0-1 Liverpool

56 mins: That’s better from Norwich. They break forward before working the ball out wide to Giannoulis, whose corner is cleared out for a corner by Matip.

Jamie Braidwood14 August 2021 18:47

Norwich 0-1 Liverpool

54 mins: Norwich try to play out from the back but Liverpool and Alexander-Arnold press them back into their own corner. It’s been a very dominant opening 10 minutes of the second half from Liverpool, but that all-important second goal evades them.

Jamie Braidwood14 August 2021 18:45

Norwich 0-1 Liverpool

51 mins: Jota picks up the ball on the edge of the Liverpool run before carrying it all the way to the other end of the pitch. The forward beats three challenges, including a nutmeg on Hanley, before he is brought down by Cantwell - who is booked.

Alexander-Arnold curls the free kick wide of goal.

Jamie Braidwood14 August 2021 18:42

Norwich 0-1 Liverpool

48 mins: Liverpool have started this half brightly and it takes a good challenge from Grant Hanley to stop Jota, who was dancing through tackles in the Norwich box.

Mane then tries to slip in Salah but Norwich are able to clear.

Jamie Braidwood14 August 2021 18:40

Norwich 0-1 Liverpool

48 mins: Close! Great play from Keita, who finds Alexander-Arnold with a chipped ball to the byline. The full-back’s cross is typically dangerous and finds its way through to Mane at the far post, but his shot is blocked by Aarons before it can trouble Krul, who was scrambling.

Jamie Braidwood14 August 2021 18:39

Norwich 0-1 Liverpool

46 mins: Max Aarons sets off down the right and it takes both Sadio Mane and Kostas Tsimikas to stop him. Tsimikas clearance ends up staying in play after bouncing off the corner flag, and it ends up in Norwich winning a corner. Alisson collects before sending the ball downfield.

Jamie Braidwood14 August 2021 18:37

Norwich 0-1 Liverpool

45 mins: We’re back underway at Carrow Road!

No changes at the break for either side.

Jamie Braidwood14 August 2021 18:33

Half time: Norwich 0-1 Liverpool

Norwich had more possession and passes than Liverpool in that opening period, and Daniel Farke’s side did look confident on the ball at times.

They found joy when playing balls around the sides of Liverpool’s defence and Kostas Tsimikas did not look too convincing defensively, despite a solid showing going forwards.

Jamie Braidwood14 August 2021 18:32

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