Manchester United v Leeds United Live Commentary & Result, 14/08/2021, Premier League

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8′ Rodrigo releases Klich into the right-inside channel and he clips a cross towards the near post. McTominay tracks back and has to clear behind ahead of the lurking presence of Bamford.

6′ Greenwood twists and turns to open up space for a strike at goal, but he sends a fairly tame effort into the hands of Meslier from 25 yards.

4′ Shaw hangs a cross into a middle, but Meslier comes off his line to ease the pressure on his defence with a fantastic claim.

3′ United keep the pressure on after Meslier punches the first corner away. The home side win a second set-piece down the left flank.

2′ Fernandes plays McTominay into space in the right-inside channel. He goes for the strike at goal, only to see his effort diverted behind by Cooper on the slide.

1′ We’re under way at Old Trafford.

Manchester United and Leeds United are set to face in their opening top-flight league matches of the season for the first time since 1970-71, with Leeds winning 1-0 at Old Trafford with a goal from Mick Jones ahead of finishing runners-up in the league that season.

Leeds also resist the opportunity to hand a debut from the off to Firpo, who starts on the bench. The Whites are without Diego Llorente, which sees Cooper, Struijk and Koch start in the backline. Phillips is not thrown straight back in after his summer exploits with England at the Euros. Dallas and Klich start in the middle of the park with Raphinha and Ayling on the flanks. Rodrigo, Harrison and Bamford lead the line this afternoon.

Solskjaer opts against starting Sancho from the off, while the deal for Varane has just been finalised leaving the Frenchman to wait. United start with a familiar look, although Edinson Cavani is missing due to personal reasons and Marcus Rashford is sidelined with a shoulder injury. Greenwood spearheads the attack, supported by Fernandes, Pogba and James. De Gea starts between the posts while Dean Henderson is out after testing positive for Covid-19 along with Jesse Lingard.

LEEDS UNITED SUBS: Junior Firpo, Adam Forshaw, Tyler Roberts, Kristoffer Klaesson, Helder Costa, Kalvin Phillips, Crysencio Summerville, Sam Greenwood, Jamie Shackleton.

LEEDS UNITED (3-4-3): Illan Meslier; Pascal Struijk, Robin Koch, Liam Cooper; Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas, Mateusz Klich, Raphinha; Rodrigo Moreno, Jack Harrison, Patrick Bamford.

MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, Andreas Pereira, Diogo Dalot, Tom Heaton, Jadon Sancho, Nemanja Matic, Brandon Williams, Donny van de Beek.

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): David de Gea; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw; Scott McTominay, Fred; Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, Daniel James; Mason Greenwood. 

Leeds United were extremely impressive in their return to the Premier League last term. After 17 seasons out of the top flight, the Whites made a lot of noise in their comeback by finishing ninth in the table. Marcelo Bielsa’s team did not disappoint and even ended their season on a high note reeling off four-straight wins. Bielsa and the club’s hierarchy will be determined to build on their success. They completed a permanent move for Jack Harrison and signed Junior Firpo, but there is still work to be done to take the next step this term.

Manchester United kick off the campaign aiming to end their drought without the Premier League crown. It has been eight years since the Red Devils were last triumphant, and although they finished second last term, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his men were well off the pace of Manchester City. The Norwegian has bolstered his ranks with the signings of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane, and he will be hopeful that the new blood and a fast start will close the gap to their rivals at the top.

Good afternoon and welcome to the live commentary of the Premier League clash between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford.

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