Fernandes' hat-trick help Manchester United demolish Leeds United

Bruno Fernandes scores hat-trick while Paul Pogba provided four assists in Manchester United 5-1 win over visiting Leeds United

Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick while Paul Pogba provided four assists as Manchester United run riot against visiting Leeds United (Photo credit: @Premierleague via Twitter)

Manchester United thumped Leeds with a stunning second-half display, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a hat-trick on the opening day.

At a full capacity Old Trafford, the Portuguese midfielder scored the first goal at the half-hour mark, but Luke Ayling's tremendous strike brought Leeds level early in the second half.

Mason Greenwood reinstated the hosts' advantage with a precise finish from a Paul Pogba magnificent pass less than two minutes later, before referee Paul Tierney ruled Fernandes' low shot had gone over the line after a goalline technology review.

Bruno Fernandes almost immediately completed his hat-trick after a fine pass from Victor Lindelof, before Fred added United's fourth goal in 14 minutes from Paul Pogba's cross-the Frenchman's fourth assist of the afternoon.

 

🎩 @B_Fernandes8 is the 10th player to score a hat-trick on the opening weekend of a #PL season 👏#MUNLEE pic.twitter.com/gid46fGFKh

— Premier League (@premierleague) August 14, 2021

It was Fernandes' first hat-trick since arriving at Old Trafford in January 2020, and just the Red Devils' second since Robin van Persie's title-winning strike against Aston Villa in 2013.

But for Pogba, the game was also a personal accomplishment.

As he enters the final year of his contract, the French midfielder's future has been hotly debated.

But his four assists included a superb pass for Greenwood's goal, and he exited the field 15 minutes from time to a rousing ovation as £74 million new-boy Jadon Sancho made his debut.

Watch the match highlights below: