The Red Devils won their second Champions League outing after beating PSG last week
Manchester United came away with a very impressive 5-0 win against German side RB Leipzig tonight. Most people wouldn’t have expected United to have a 100% winning record so far. After all, they did face two sides who reached the semi-final and final of the Champions League last season, respectively. After tonight though, they come away with two wins from two after an embarrassing result for Leipzig.
Marcus Rashford has been in the headlines in recent weeks over his campaign to introduce free school meals for children. He has been criticized, rather unfairly, by certain sections of the public for his activism. He has been told by some to “stick to football” as he continues to have his voice heard.
Well, he’s proved his doubters wrong tonight. He came on in the 63rd minute as United looked to ensure a victory after Mason Greenwood had scored in the first half. It didn’t take him long to get on the scoresheet as he netted his first in the 74th minute. The goal came as a result of Rashford running in behind the Leipzig defence from the half way line. Initially, the goal was deemed offside but on further review VAR decided that he was behind the half way line as the pass was made, meaning the goal stood. Once he was one on one with the keeper, he made no mistake with his finish.
He earned his brace in the 78th minute with a fantastic finish low into the corner after good work by Fred in midfield.
Manchester United earned a penalty in the 87th minute which most expected Rashford would take to complete his hat trick. Instead, though, Rashford decided to give the penalty to Anthony Martial as a gesture. Martial made no mistake from the spot as he made it 4-0.
Rashford still managed to complete his hat trick in the end after some good work from Martial. He lashed the ball into the net from 10 yards to make it 5-0. He departed with the match ball after coming on less than 30 minutes before the whistle.
A class act on and off the pitch.
RASHFORD.
HAT-TRICK. ⚽⚽⚽ pic.twitter.com/9aPp95exlA
— B/R Football (@brfootball) OCTOBER 28, 2020
In other news, Mason Greenwood will be happy with his performance tonight as he managed to break the deadlock after 21 minutes. His goal demonstrated his off the ball movement and finishing ability. He struck from a tight angle but managed to squeeze the ball into the bottom right corner. There were questions of offside as VAR decided to take a second look, but the goal stood upon review to the relief of Manchester United. Despite his young age, Greenwood is arguably one of the best finishers in the Premier League at the minute. If he can add to his overall game, there’s no boundaries as to how far he could go. He was eventually replaced by the aforementioned Marcus Rashford in the 63rd minute but it was an impressive showing by the teenager.
Greenwood’s start tonight will give him a massive boost in what has been a difficult season so far. He has struggled to get into the starting XI of late despite an impressive breakthrough campaign last season. Rumours of ill discipline have added fuel to the fire, although Solsjkaer has firmly denied such talk. He did his talking on the pitch as he produced an impressive performance.
What a finish that is from Mason Greenwood 🔥
Paul Pogba played him through and he didn’t even need to take a look at the goal! pic.twitter.com/IDKGxanChp
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) OCTOBER 28, 2020
Another man who got his chance tonight was Donny Van De Beek. It was just VDB’s second start since joining the club having previously started against Brighton in the EFL Cup. He started instead of Fernandes and he took his chance well as he looked very comfortable in possession without providing too much of an attacking threat. He was subbed off for Fernandes with 67 minutes played.
The match itself was a high energy affair. Both teams pressed high and routinely forced the other into mistakes, especially in the first half. The second half was more one sided as United regularly exposed Leipzig’s high line and got in behind. Nobody would have expected the game to end 5-0 after a fairly even first half.
🔴 Manchester United record their biggest win in the Champions League since 2013 💪#UCL pic.twitter.com/jbZ4Lux4zf
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) OCTOBER 28, 2020
Ole will have a selection headache up front as his team prepare to face Arsenal at the weekend. Greenwood hasn’t got much of a look in this season, but his form tonight may persuade Ole to start the teenager come Sunday. Marcus Rashford is also probably nailed on to start based on his performance tonight and this season in general. The other attacking options Ole has to consider are Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial and Odion Ighalo.
After Arsenal, United travel to Turkey in order to face Istanbul Basaksehir for their 3rd Champions League group game. Istanbul have lost all their group games so far after losing 2-0 to PSG earlier this evening and to RB Leipzig last week. We would expect United to come out of Turkey with an 100% winning record, but stranger things have happened.
United take on Istanbul at 8 p.m. on Wednesday next week. The match will not be broadcast live for free on Irish TV, but it will be shown on BT Sports. Alternatively, viewers can catch up on the highlights of the match on Virgin Media 2 from 10.15 p.m.
