'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Manchester United kicked off their 2021-22 Premier League campaign in scintillating fashion. In front of a fully-packed Old Trafford, they thrashed Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United 5-1.
The hosts were on the front foot right from the get-go as Leeds managed to hold their own for much of the first half. They went into half-time 1-0 down thanks to some brilliant link-up play between Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba in the 30th minute.
But it wasn't long before Luke Ayling thumped a stunning long-range strike past David de Gea to make it 1-1 for the visitors.
However, what followed was an excellent attacking display from Solksjaer's side. They added four second-half goals and came off as triumphant winners against their old rivals.
On that note, let's have a look at the five biggest talking points from the game:
#5 The return of full stadiums
After 18 months of football without fans in the stadiums, it was a truly remarkable sight to see a fully-packed Old Trafford. It raised the tempo of the game a notch higher than last season. Consequently, the visitors struggled to adapt to this new atmosphere in the opening stages of the game.
More remarkably, after a season where home advantage was nothing more than a catchphrase, the opening two games of the new campaign have both favored the home sides.
#4 Jadon Sancho already a fan favorite
There was resounding cheer and applause for Jadon Sancho as he was substituted in on the pitch in the second half. The 21-year-old winger already has most of United's fanbase excited by the prospect of him linking up with what now looks like a title-challenging squad.
Sancho joined Manchester United in a £73m deal from Borussia Dortmund this summer. And he sure has a big burden on his shoulders given the Red Devils' recent struggles in finding a proper right winger. However, the youngster should feel right at home, given how the supporters are behind him.
#3. It's McTominay and Fred for now
Much has been made of United's lack of an elite defensive midfielder over the past couple of seasons. But not many had predicted the possibility of Solskjaer starting Scott McTominay and Fred together. Not after the criticism he faced for taking away the attacking numbers by having them play in a defensive midfield pivot last season.
However, for the opening game of the campaign, with the likes of Jadon Sancho, Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford absent from the starting line-up, Solksjaer stuck with his tried and trusted pivot. Although that might change with the arrival of Raphael Varane in the squad, McFred remains in pivot for now.
#2 Pogba's scintillating performance
Given Paul Pogba's time at United, fans could be forgiven for thinking they had been watching a different player play for France in the Euros.
He sure hasn't been as good for his club, often delivering just a handful of good performances in a season.
But today, the Frenchman was firing on all cylinders. With a series of line-breaking throughballs and an overall excellent display, he single-handedly rinsed Leeds' defense.
The midfielder was basically involved in everything that United threw at Bielsa's side. He racked up four assists, becoming just the seventh player to do so in a single Premier League game.
#1 Different season, same Bruno
It was another truly sensational performance from the Red Devils' Portuguese maestro Bruno Fernandes. He racked up his first Premier League hat-trick against what looked like a helpless Leeds backline.
It's a truly remarkable feat that Fernandes now has 47 goals and assists in just 52 Premier League appearances whilst playing in midfield. He showcased his positional awareness and ball-striking ability to the fullest today.
The arrival of Jadon Sancho could elevate some of the goalscoring burden off his shoulders. But if opening day performances are anything to go by, then United fans are in for an even tastier treat than last season.
