The 2021/22 Premier League season is only two games old, but we've already been treated to some scintillating football and a string of glorious goals.
Arsenal kicked off the campaign with a humbling 2-0 defeat to Brentford on Friday night, which striker Ivan Toney described as a 'kick about with the boys'. C'mon Arsenal, you don't help yourselves, do you?
Nice kick about with the boys. ⚽️ @BrentfordFC
— Ivan Toney (@ivantoney24) August 13, 2021
Saturday's early kick-off saw bitter rivals Manchester United and Leeds United go to war on the Old Trafford turf, and the pair didn't let us down for entertainment, with the hosts romping to a 5-1 victory in front of a packed-out stadium.
The afternoon started brightly for Man Utd supporters, with the announcement that Raphael Varane had officially joined the Red Devils, and he was given a warm reception by the watching audience.
Introducing our newest Red ?#MUFC @RaphaelVarane pic.twitter.com/yUjIsqgZ1H
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 14, 2021
Confirmed with a selfie ?#MUFC pic.twitter.com/C4cIxYvXNA
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 14, 2021
Leeds fans were keen to disrupt proceedings, chanting 'Who the f**k are you?' Funny, although he is a World Cup and four-time Champions League winner - do some research, lads.
Raphael Varane is officially unveiled at Old Trafford. Will wear number 19.
— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) August 14, 2021
Leeds fans chanting "Who tf are you?" pic.twitter.com/7y8fpYn3nG
Touching stuff, nonetheless. The game kicked off and Man Utd began at a ferocious pace, looking the most dangerous side in the final third. Paul Pogba was lurking with intent on that left flank, with a look in his eye like a shark assessing which school of fish to decimate.
Sure enough, it took 30 minutes for the Red Devils to strike, and the Frenchman was at the heart of it. His through ball was inch perfect for Bruno Fernandes, and the attacking midfielder took one touch and fired home. Breakthrough.
? BRUNO! ⚽️
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 14, 2021
It just had to be him...
What a ball from Paul Pogba to set up Fernandes for the opening goal! ? pic.twitter.com/y8lE224hCB
Luke Ayling took matters into his own hands minutes into the second half however, letting rip a fierce strike from distance which rocketed beyond David De Gea to level the scores. Lift off for Leeds.
Luke Ayling being tickled by an elephant pic.twitter.com/EIORT7FMmu
— Footballers with animals (@ftbllrswanimals) August 14, 2021
From that moment however, it was all downhill for Marcelo Bielsa's side. Man Utd turned on the style, and much like that friend who suddenly sits forward to kill off a friendly game of FIFA, it was all over in the blink of an eye.
Manchester United when Ayling scored #MUFC #MUNLEE pic.twitter.com/R1jpBKZDGW
— Damz - DMXNGO (@DMXNGO) August 14, 2021
A goal from Ayling turned into wailing for Leeds in 3 minutes.
— Aniela Allotey (@ani_ela_) August 14, 2021
Man Utd after Ayling’s equaliser. pic.twitter.com/07vEecJTWb
— Chris Thornton (@ChrisThornton86) August 14, 2021
Pogba and Fernandes blew Leeds away over the next quarter of an hour, with the former completing four assists and the latter bagging a terrific hat-trick. Pogba was crucial to the second goal, cutting the Whites apart with a beautiful pass to Mason Greenwood, and the forward did the rest with a smart finish.
Two assists for Pogba (that one was incredible) and Greenwood is just cold. Love it.
— Scott Saunders (@_scottsaunders) August 14, 2021
Pogba mate that is disgusting
— Max Cooper (@MaxCooper5) August 14, 2021
Pogba ended the match with four stunning assists, and Fernandes with three well-taken goals. It was a whitewash. Even Fred scored.
Paul Pogba registered 4 assists today
— Aidan Walsh ? (@AidanWalshMUFC) August 14, 2021
- Assisted Bruno Fernandes
- Assisted Mason Greenwood
- Assisted Bruno Fernandes
- Assisted Fred
Our midfielder is world class ?? pic.twitter.com/AtA9fKkmQo
Rivalry aside Bruno Fernandes is such a baller. Whoattt!
— Valentino? (@essentialessel) August 14, 2021
Pogba was so good today that he even assisted Fred, absolutely unplayable today
— Omar little (@_ManLikeAJ) August 14, 2021
My midfielder ??
Impossible to criticise Pogba after a display like that then - unless you're one man (probably).
“I know Pogba has 4 assists but Manchester United have scored 5 so you have to ask yourself why he doesn’t have 5 assist?” pic.twitter.com/3iY4X6kKpb
— 360Sources (@360Sources) August 14, 2021
There were other sceptics on the social media platform, of course.
Paul Pogba playing like there's two weeks left in the transfer window. Phenomenal performance.
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) August 14, 2021
In fairness, Leeds didn't make it particularly difficult for Pogba or Man Utd...
That Leeds defence pic.twitter.com/nKCGdvUQXi
— Smug as f**k MyGers pack owner (@heyuupinthesky) August 14, 2021
Leeds' defence pic.twitter.com/5j0B2BnZI8
— Asher (@1ashermorris) August 14, 2021
Man Utd are on the attack with Pogba and Fernandes.
— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) August 14, 2021
Leeds United’s defence: pic.twitter.com/bCrdeFprBp
Winger Daniel James also put in a solid performance for Man Utd, although Twitter would have you believe he was letting the side down.
Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and Daniel James today pic.twitter.com/qWYCRzZNuD
— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) August 14, 2021
Sancho when he sees Dan James is starting ahead of him pic.twitter.com/wRBqXOOgrn
— UtdSam⚡️ (@UtdSam5) August 14, 2021
Dan James in Uniteds attack. pic.twitter.com/4qkstOfegr
— Ansufatismo ???? (@AnsuTime) August 14, 2021
Jadon Sancho was even introduced late on, and Varane is yet to come for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side. All cause for optimism then!
If Ole can work Pogba and Bruno together we can compete with ANYONE.
— UnitedMuppetiers (@Muppetiers) August 14, 2021
Man Utd doing this without their first XI CB (Varane), RW (Sancho), LW (Rashford) & CF (Cavani). Clearly have the 2nd best squad in the league. Also best squad at the club since before SAF left.
— Socanalysis (@SocanalysisHQ) August 14, 2021
Sancho and Varane to come into this Man Utd team. The future is bright.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) August 14, 2021
F'ing love this club, these players, and we're just warming up ?. Madness of a game! Ole's at the wheel ?❤ pic.twitter.com/JWZmYqc0br
— Rosemary Fernandes ????? (@RosieF717) August 14, 2021
Source : 90min