'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Manchester United came into their second game of the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League on the back of a brilliant win in their opener against Paris Saint-Germain in Paris last week. They continued their rampant form against RB Leipzig, putting five unanswered goals past the Bundesliga leaders in a dominating performance.
Mason Greenwood provided the lead to the home side as Manchester United went to the break with a slender 1-0 advantage. However, in the second half, the floodgates opened as the Red Devils, who scored four more past the bedazzled visitors.
After coming on for Greenwood, Marcus Rashford scored a quickfire brace midway through the second half to effectively end the game as a contest. Anthony Martial then scored from the spot three minutes from time. But there was still time for Rashford to complete his first Manchester United hat-trick as the 22-year-old provided the gloss on a glittering performance from the Red Devils.
Trending
With two wins in as many games in a tough group that also contains last season's finalists Paris St. Germain, Manchester United look good to qualify for the knockout rounds. They are not there yet, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would be mighty pleased with his side who put the high-flying German visitors to the sword.
On that note, let's take a look at the 5 talking points from the game between Manchester United and Leipzig.
Also check out: Updated Champions League Winners List
#5 Manchester United are a different team when Solskjaer's job is on the line
After a rocky start to their Premier League campaign, where they lost to Crystal Palace and Brighton before suffering a heavy defeat against Jose Mourinho's Spurs at Old Trafford, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was on the brink of getting the sack.
However, Manchester United have turned their form around in spectacular fashion to potentially save their manager's job. After beating Newcastle 4-1, Manchester United travelled to Paris and won 2-1. That was followed by a hard-fought point against Chelsea before the Red Devils put out an emphatic performance against RB Leipzig.
An in-form Manchester United now host Arsenal on Sunday at Old Trafford in the Premier League. The Red Devils are yet to win against a London club at home, losing two out of three, but with Mikel Arteta's men struggling, this might be their best chance to move into the top six.
Also check out: Champions League Draws 2020/21
#4 Harry Maguire's remontada has been impressive
Harry Maguire has been the centre of criticism for almost a year now. While his enormous price tag doesn't help, the Englishman's form for club and country has been very inconsistent since his unfortunate summer holiday incident in Mykonos.
Regardless, Solskjaer realised the need to give his captain a break. Maguire was deservingly rewarded with a week off while his teammates prepared for the away game in France.
Maguire has since made a fabulous comeback. After putting out thumping performances against Newcastle United and Chelsea in the Premier League, he looked solid against RB Leipzig too.
Also check out: Champions League Final Updates
#3 It's back to the drawing board for Julian Nagelsmann
RB Leipzig's majestic start to the season was shredded to pieces by Manchester United. At Old Trafford, the Bundesliga leaders conceded two more goals than the combined tally of three they had let in all season.
Julian Nagelsmann is one of the hottest managers in Europe right now. But an emphatic defeat at the hands of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer means that Nagelsmann and Leipzig need to go back to the drawing board.
Leipzig did not shy away from playing their usual game. The German team continued to play a high defensive line, pressing Manchester United high in their own half and keeping up the intensity throughout the 90. However, on the night that came to nothing as Manchester United had too much quality and firepower in their ranks to come up with their best performance of the season.
Also check out: Most Champions League Clean sheets 2020/21
#2 Marcus Rashford scores his first senior hat-trick for Manchester United
Is there anything that Marcus Rashford cannot do? From delivering meals to children during the pandemic to delivering goals for his boyhood club, Marcus Rashford is a role model for thousands on and off the pitch.
The 22-year-old was on target once again for Manchester United against Leipzig, scoring thrice after coming off the bench. In the process, he emulated his boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (1999) to become the first Manchester United player to score a hat-trick after coming on as a substitute.
Manchester United's front four of Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Daniel James and Juan Mata were all benched as Mason Greenwood made his first start of the season, doing so alongside Anthony Martial.
With Manchester United only leading by a goal till the 70th minute, two attacking substitutes in Rashford and Fernandes took the game away from Leipzig.
#1 Manchester United provide an emphatic statement of intent before taking on Arsenal at Old Trafford
A run of games against Tottenham, PSG, Chelsea, RB Leipzig, Arsenal and Everton looked daunting for Manchester United. But now it must be said that the Red Devils have stood up to the challenge in some style, losing only one of these four fixtures.
With two wins and a draw in their last three games, this is the perfect place for Manchester United to be in before they host a rejuvenated Arsenal at Old Trafford in the weekend. Despite their narrow 1-0 defeat against Leicester City, the quality Manchester United have in their XI cannot be disregarded.
The likes of Thomas Partey, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe, etc do have the potential to turn any game in their favour, but Manchester United seem well prepared to take on the Gunners.
The 19-year-old Mason Greenwood became the second-youngest Manchester United player to score in the Champions League. Marcus Rashford provided the Red Devils' first hat-trick in the competition since Robin Van Persie in 2014. The embattled David de Gea kept another clean sheet.
In that regard, the weekend game against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal could not have come at a better time for Ole Gunnar Solsksjaer's Red Devils.
Also check out: Champions League Final Updates
