Manchester United played host to bitter rivals Leeds United in Sunday afternoon’s mouth-watering Premier League match-up, and it did not disappoint. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils were in fine form as they smashed six past Marcelo Bielsa’s Whites in a match which ended 6-2.
Coming into the game, Solskjaer and his team would have been desperate to close the gap on league leaders and arch-rivals Liverpool which they executed in emphatic fashion.
In light of this afternoon’s impressive win, United, now with one game in-hand sit just two-points off the top of the table and have firmly cemented their position as genuine title contenders.
After Sunday’s attacking display against their Yorkshire rivals, we have rated every United player who featured.
David De Gea
United’s number-one had very little to do despite the Whites pulling one back during the first-half before securing a late consolation late on.
The Spaniard produced a brilliant save mid-way through the second-half but will be disappointed not to have been able to keep a clean sheet.
Rating: 6/10
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Kept the likes of Jack Harrison quiet all afternoon. Decent display all round from United’s right-back.
Rating: 6/10
Victor Lindelof
United’s centre-back bagged himself a goal just before the break.
Grew into the game as it went on and read proceedings well; the Swede is becoming a real asset to this United squad.
Rating: 7/10
Harry Maguire
Physical and commanding in the air. Maguire read the game well from the back and executed a perfect last ditch block late on to deny Harrison.
Rating: 7/10
Luke Shaw
Looked really lively down United’s left-flank. Some wayward passing out from the back during the first-half left his back-line compromised but otherwise a decent performance all round.
Subbed off for Alex Telles with half-hour to go.
Rating: 6/10
Fred
Ran the show alongside Scott McTominay. United’s South American was mobile, industrious and creative.
Desperatly unlucky not have made it seven with a few minutes to go, went for goal when he should have perhaps squared it to Edinson Cavani.
A thoroughly well-rounded performance nevertheless.
Rating: 8/10
Scott McTominay
In the words of Gary Neville ‘turned into Paul Scholes and Roy Keane’ – What a performance from United’s flying Scotsman.
The young midfielder bagged a brace inside the first three-minutes which helped set the tone for the rest of the match.
Drove through the heart of Leeds’ midfield all afternoon. Strong, powerful and technically brilliant.
McTominay’s best performance in a United shirt, no question.
Slight concern after seemingly pulling a groin muscle with a minute to go. We’ll keep you updated on this.
Rating: 10/10
Bruno Fernandes
A creative and space finding master-class. Fernandes is a cut above the rest.
Continually cut Leeds United wide-open and provided support in attack as the Portuguese midfielder continues on his impressive goal contributing run.
Bagged United’s fourth after unleashing a rocket of an effort with another assist coming during McTominay’s opener.
Finished his afternoon’s work by netting his second from the spot moments before being brought off in the 71st-minute for Donny van de Beek.
Stunning display all round.
Rating: 9/10
Daniel James
Brought in by Solskjaer for his unrivalled pace and caused Leeds United problems most of the afternoon.
One of the Welshman’s stand-out moments came when he launched a powerful run from his own half but was unlucky to be on the wrong end of a dubious booking.
Determined to bounce back, United’s lightening quick winger eventually bagged a well-deserved goal in the 66th-minute after taking a clinical touch presented the winger with the perfect chance.
Excellent afternoon’s work from James.
Rating: 8/10
Anthony Martial
Linked-up superbly well with Marcus Rashford and Fernandes.
United’s intricate play benefited Martial no-end but his finishing throughout let him down.
Could have bagged a brace but fluffed his lines on both occasions.
Rating: 5/10
Marcus Rashford
Technically superb. United’s 23-year-old ran Leeds’ back-line ragged all afternoon.
Brought off for Edinson Cavani with 20-minutes to go.
Rating: 7/10
Subs:
Alex Telles
Introduced in the 61st-minute in a like-for-like switch for Luke Shaw.
The Brazilian’s defensive positioning was good for the time he was on the field. Decent in the air and got forward frequently.
Rating: 6/10
Edinson Cavani
Introduced with 20-minutes to go in place of Rashford.
Fairly quiet cameo overall. Should have scored in the 85th-minute before being denied by Islan Meslier.
United’s star striker did continually find himself in dangerous positions though.
Regaining his fitness, I fully expect to see a lot more of Cavani during throughout the festive schedule.
Rating: 6/10
Donny van de Beek
Came on during the 71st-minute in place of Fernandes.
Looked lively in the middle of the pitch, broke up play whenever required and made several defence-splitting runs.
Will be expecting to start more games over the hectic festive period.
Rating: 6/10
Read more: Why Daniel James is starting for Manchester United against Leeds
very good performance, keept it up
United Matial mufu
i think ole is doing a fantastic job i think he have made as in some ocassion to remember fargi’s time he is the man.
Hehehe you put 6 for De Gea, same as VDB who came from bench and nothing he did, de gea saved many goal tonight? And you put 5 for 2 assist from martial.
To be honest, goal keeping is a HUGE PROBLEM.
None of our keepers are as steady as ROMERO. I don’t feel safe with She Gea at all. Please bring Romero back. United doesn’t have a keeper of that calibre.
In that game I would think Martial was very lazy but he is not rated well. He contributed to 4 goals out of 6.
He deserves an 8 marking.
I would give a 9 to Tomminary.
All else is ok