90min

Twitter Explodes as Manchester United Smash Leeds in Eight-Goal Thriller

By Matt O'Connor-Simpson

Hey Siri... show me the perfect first half performance
Hey Siri... show me the perfect first half performance / Michael Regan/Getty Images
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Premier League games do not come much better than this.

Manchester United and Leeds United fans have been waiting close to two decades to resume their fierce rivalry and the pair made up for lost time by producing a scintillating 90 minutes on Sunday.

The Red Devils would secure the bragging rights in dominant fashion, running out 6-2 winners in a game that had everything.

Things got off to an explosive start when Scott McTominay became the first Premier League player to grab a brace inside the first three minutes of a game. Yes, don't worry, you have read that right.

Scott McSauce lived up to his nickname with his first goal, arrowing a shot past the reach of Illan Meslier with just 67 seconds played.

His second goal was pretty damn saucy as well. Surging onto the end of Anthony Martial pass, McTominay finished calmly and entered the record books in the process.

Unsurprisingly, his passionate fun club was delighted and took to Twitter to celebrate.

Not to be outshone by his midfield compatriot, Bruno Fernandes made it 3-0 to United inside 20 minutes, lashing an effort past Meslier from inside the box.

It was his 28th direct goal involvement of the season and the highlight of his excellent first half display.

Just when United thought things could not get any better, Victor Lindelof got in on the act. Latching onto Martial's flick-on from a corner, the Swede managed to fire home at the back post ahead of Stuart Dallas.

That was not all she wrote though. Just before half time, Leeds were given the faintest of lifelines when Liam Cooper nodded in from a corner.

The goal capped off a truly bonkers 45 minutes and while the second half did not quite live up to these heights, there was still plenty of talking points.

Soon after David de Gea made a stunning stop to deny Raphina, we were treated to rarest of rare sights - a Daniel James goal.

It wasn't pretty - Illan Meslier should have kept it from squeezing between his legs - but it is bound to do wonders for his confidence.

Minutes later, the home side bagged a sixth.

It wouldn't be a United win without a Fernandes penalty after all...

Leeds did manage to make it 6-2 before the final whistle - but it was too little too late. United had long since secured the three points with a performance that sent a statement out to the rest of the Premier League.

As for Leeds, they cannot keep leaving themselves so open, can they?