Bruno Fernandes scores hat trick as Manchester United thrash Leeds

Updated: May 17, 2023, 12:05 am

Bruno Fernandes opened his Premier League season with a hat trick as Manchester United thrashed old rivals Leeds United 5-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Luke Ayling's second half strike temporarily brought Leeds level but Mason Greenwood and Fred also scored for United and helped secure the win. 

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United unveiled new signing Raphael Varane before the game with a presentation on the pitch. The defender wasn't part of the squad as he has yet to train with the squad.

"We know the quality of the players who have come in, but the team was already very good. We showed it last season. We didn't win trophies, but the team was growing up," Fernandes said after the game.

"Our focus has to be game by game. We'll achieve something with this mentality."

Fernandes got on the end of a through ball from Paul Pogba on 30 minutes to score his first goal through the legs of Illan Meslier.

Leeds got back into the game three minutes into the second half with a stunning strike from Ayling.

It took United just three minutes to restore their lead, however, after launching a counter-attack, Pogba found Greenwood who ran down the left wing and nestled the ball into the net.

Bruno Fernandes scored a hat trick for Manchester United.
Alex Morton/Getty Images

Fernandes got his second on 54 minutes. It looked like Ayling had cleared the ball off the line but referee Paul Tierney got the signal on his wrist watch that the ball had crossed the line.

The Portugal international completed his hat trick -- his first since joining United -- on the hour mark with a powerful strike past Meslier.

"My objective every season is being better than the last one. Every performance I do, I want to do better and better. I've started with three goals but it's a long way [to go]," Fernandes said. 

Pogba secured his fourth assist on 68 minutes when he squared a ball for Fred who hit it into the net from 10 yards out.

"People talk about the quality of Paul, but his quality is not in discussion. We know what he can do and today he showed that," Fernandes said.

"He's an important player for us. We know to expect these kind of performances from Paul."

New signing Jadon Sancho made his first appearance for United on 75 minutes when he came on for Daniel James.