Fernandes hails Pogba, Man Utd fans after ‘statement’ result vs Leeds
Bruno Fernandes insists Paul Pogba’s quality is not up for debate after the midfield duo starred in Manchester United’s 5-1 demolition of Leeds at Old Trafford.
Fernandes scored three goals in United’s Premier League curtain-raiser on Saturday afternoon, while Pogba provided four assists – two of which were for hat-trick hero Fernandes – to get Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side off to a flying start in the 2021/22 season.
The mood at Old Trafford was electric given a capacity crowd was back in the stands, and the unveiling of new signing Raphael Varane just before kick-off only added to the party atmosphere.
Portuguese Fernandes opened the scoring with a well-timed run off a Pogba through-ball, but Luke Ayling equalised just after half-time with a stunning long-range drive.
Leeds were not level for long though as Pogba set up Mason Greenwood to restore United’s lead, and the Frenchman notched another assist for Fernandes soon after.
Victor Lindelof’s sumptuous long ball was then expertly volleyed home by Fernandes to complete his treble, while Pogba teed up Fred from the left flank to make it 5-1.
Another of United’s summer signings, Jadon Sancho, made his debut from the bench with the game won to cap a near-perfect day for the Red Devils, with a performance and result to lay down a marker to their title rivals.
Speaking to BT Sport after taking home the match ball, Fernandes said: “We know the quality of Paul [Pogba], that is not for discussion. We know what he can do, and we saw that today. He is working for us and we know he can make this performance.
“Every season I want to be better than the last one, so with every goal and performance I want to do better. I have started with three goals, but there is a long way to go.
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“We know the quality of the players who come in now, the team was already good and we saw that last season, even though we did not achieve the trophies.
“The team is growing up and now we try to do better.
“The statement today was against Leeds now and the next game will be against Southampton, so we will focus by game. We can do something with this mentality.”