Even the most ardent Manchester United fan would have not expected such a performance from the team as United blew past RB Leipzig. The Red Devils scored five goals past last season’s semifinalist with a first career hattrick for Marcus Rashford. Mason Greenwood scored his first goal in the Champions League and Anthony Martial opening his account for the season as Solskjaer was tactically spot on once again.
Manchester United started with a strong lineup, including Pogba, Van de Beek and Matic. But it was Leipzig who dominated the proceedings in the first half of the game, pressing very high up the pitch. The German club moved the ball quickly but failed to create any clear-cut chance, which Manchester United took advantage of.
The Red Devils scored midway through the first half with Mason Greenwood scoring from his first touch in the Champions League. Paul Pogba had a great game playing in hos favoured No.10 role and also providing the assist for Greenwood. The likes of Van de Beek, Matic and Fred were exceptional as well, keeping Leipzig at bay and pressing whenever possible.
After the first goal, United sat back and defended well with Leipzig having the lion’s share of possession. The second half started in a similar manner but the German club couldn’t beat the defensive shape of United. In and around the hour mark, Solskjaer made his changes, bringing on Fernandes, Rashford and McTominay in the place of Van de Beek, Greenwood and Matic respectively.
This was another sign of Solskjaer’s tactical masterclass as the game turned on its head after the substitutions. In the 74th minute, Rashford scored from a good solo run with a clever pass from none other than Bruno Fernandes. After that goal, United went into an ultra-attacking mode and went for the kill with Rashford scoring again four minutes later which was thought as the end of the road for Leipzig.
Soon after that, Anthony Martial scored from the penalty spot, from the penalty he earned making the score 4-0. In the dying minutes of the game, Rashford finished the game off with his first hattrick in this senior career. Manchester United will take a lot of positives from the game with Arsenal lurking in the Premier League next.
