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Man Utd 5-1 Leeds: Player Ratings

An underwhelming Leeds side slumped to defeat at Old Trafford.

Manchester United v Leeds United - Premier League
Patrick Bamford and Mateusz Klich look dejected after Manchester United score their fourth of the game.
Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images

Leeds United were convincingly crashed 5-1 by Manchester United in their opening fixture of the Premier League season at Old Trafford.

Bruno Fernandes scored a hattrick for the Red Devils, with Mason Greenwood and Fred adding to the visitors' misery.

A rocket from Luke Ayling early in the second half briefly levelled the scores. Here are the player ratings:


Illan Meslier - 6

Manchester United v Leeds United - Premier League - Old Trafford
Meslier defends a corner authoritavely.
Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images

Had a decent first half and made a couple of good saves. He was authoritative in the area when defending corners and generally showed good awareness to snuff out the danger. Got a touch on Bruno Fernandes’ opener but the power took it into the back of the net. Poorer in the second half, and could have done better for one or two of their goals.


Stuart Dallas - 6

Manchester United v Leeds United - Premier League
Dallas competes with rumoured Leeds target Daniel James.
Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images

Didn’t look overly comfortable at left-back in the first half, but handled Daniel James relatively well. Moved into midfield in the second half but that wasn’t enough to plug the gaps in Leeds’ defence. Struggled to make an impact against an excellent Man Utd side who made easy work of the visitors’ midfield. Got the assist for Ayling’s equaliser.


Liam Cooper - 6

Manchester United v Leeds United - Premier League
Cooper leads out the team at Old Trafford.
Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images

Started the game well and held firm in the first half. Won the majority of his duels and got stuck in to keep Leeds in the game before the interval. Will inevitably get plenty of flack but there wasn’t too much he could have done to alter the scoreline.


Pascal Struijk - 6

Manchester United v Leeds United - Premier League
Struijk battles to dispossess Man Utd forward Mason Greenwood.
Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images

Had a good first half and was overall the better of the two centre-backs, albeit marginally. His lack of pace was exploited on a number of occasions as Man Utd made easy work of Leeds’ midfield and Robin Koch left space in behind.


Luke Ayling - 7

Quiet in the first half, but scored a rocket in the second to end his goal contribution drought and get off the goalscoring mark in the Premier League. It was a terrific strike that briefly levelled the scores. Was more involved defensively in the period afterwards but slipped back into obscurity when Man Utd took full control.


Robin Koch - 5.5

Manchester United v Leeds United - Premier League - Old Trafford
Koch was tasked with marking Bruno Fernandes in midfield.
Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images

Man Utd asked a lot of the Kalvin Phillips replacement. He had some good moments on the ball and defended well at times but some of his passes were astray and he struggled to track Fernandes throughout the match. Can’t take anything away from the hosts but the scoreline may have been more respectable with Phillips shielding the defence.


Mateusz Klich - 6.5

Manchester United v Leeds United - Premier League
Klich whips in a cross from the right.
Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images,

A decent display from the Pole who looked jaded for much of last season. Forced a strong save from David de Gea during the first half and was unlucky to not get an assist from an excellent cross for Patrick Bamford. Found space well against a Man Utd save who defended effectively for most of the match.


Jack Harrison (off 69') - 6

Manchester United v Leeds United - Premier League
Harrison faces off against Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images,

Created a couple of chances but wasn’t as involved as he would have liked and struggled to get many crosses away out on the left. Had some decent moments on the ball, and it was disappointing to see him come off while Leeds were chasing the match.


Rodrigo Moreno (off 46') - 5.5

Ajax v Leeds United - Club Friendly
Rodrigo in action against Ajax.
Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images

Invisible for most of the first half and came off during the interval. Linked up well with Raphinha on one occasion and headed wide from the Brazilian’s free kick. Continued to struggle with his pressing playing in a midfield role.


Raphinha - 6.5

Manchester United v Leeds United - Premier League
Raphinha battles for possession with Harry Maguire.
Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images,

A lively performance that lacked the finishing quality. Won a few of corners for Leeds cutting inside and played in some dangerous balls from out wide. Much less impactful in the second half, but should have scored when Tyler Roberts put the ball on a plate in the latter stages - instead he dragged the shot wide despite having plenty of time to think about it.


Patrick Bamford (off 76') - 6

Ajax v Leeds United - Pre-season Friendly
Bamford in action against Ajax
Photo by Broer van den Boom/BSR Agency/Getty Images

Got close to one or two crosses but no clear chances for last season’s top scorer, who was isolated for much of the game. Pressed relatively well but Leeds lacking their usual electricity and relentless energy going forward may have lessened that particular impact.


Junior Firpo (on 46') - 6

Manchester United v Leeds United - Premier League
Firpo made his Premier League debut under difficult circumstances at Old Trafford.
Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images

Replaced Rodrigo at half-time to make his Premier League debut for the Whites. It was a harsh introduction to English football for Firpo, who perhaps could have done more to deny Fernandes his second goal. Only misplaced one pass and looked okay going forward but not the right conditions for the ex-Barca man to shine in.


Helder Costa (on 69') - 6

Ajax v Leeds United - Pre-season Friendly
Costa in action against Ajax.
Photo by Broer van den Boom/BSR Agency/Getty Images

A volley that blazed over the bar was all that Costa had to show for his cameo. Not much he could have done to change the direction of the game in all fairness.


Tyler Roberts (on 76') - 6.5

Ajax v Leeds United - Club Friendly
Roberts in action against Ajax.
Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images

To his credit he looked as lively as a striker can be when his team is 5-1 down after he replaced Bamford late on. Wasn’t too far off with a volley from distance and linked up play relatively well. Set up Raphinha nicely and should have bagged an assist from that chance.


Where did it all go wrong for Leeds? Give us your thoughts in the comments below and on Twitter.