Rashford magic helps Man Utd sink Leeds

Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba have continued their hot pre-season form to help guide Manchester United to a 4-0 win over Leeds United at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

First-half strikes to 17-year-old Mason Greenwood and Rashford got the Red Devils off to the perfect start, before Phil Jones and Anthony Martial scored after the break in the entertaining win.

Rashford also scored in last week’s 2-0 win over Perth Glory, and his sublime move to bamboozle two Leeds defenders before scoring on Wednesday night set tongues wagging.

Pogba’s pinpoint passes broke down Leeds’ defence time and time again in the first half before Manchester United subbed off their entire starting XI at the break.

Tempers threatened to boil over in the dying minutes of the match when Manchester United veteran Ashley Young unleashed a fierce tackle that sparked a push and shove involving about 10 players.

It was the only moment of true malice in a match pitting two sworn enemies of English soccer against each other.

The only blood spilt was when Leeds winger Stuart Dallas copped an accidental arm to the head from Martial midway through the second half.

A heavy police presence was employed inside and outside the ground to ensure there were no fights among the 55,274 fans.

A man jumped the fence and made it onto the outskirts of the oval in the 75th minute, but he was tackled to the ground before he could get near any players.

It took Manchester United 60 minutes to break through Perth Glory in last week’s friendly, but the Red Devils needed less than seven minutes to score against Leeds.

The warning signs were already there in the second minute when Rashford hit the upright with a low drive.

Five minutes later, a move started by Pogba made its way to Greenwood, who made no mistake with the finish from close range.

Rashford created the highlight of the first half, with the England international fooling two defenders by dragging the ball wide before firing a low goal in the 27th minute.

Rashford and Pogba had other shots saved, and new recruit Daniel James hit the post in the 43rd minute.

Although Leeds were looking shaky in defence, they created a number of chances in the opening half, and should have gone to the break with at least a goal to their name.

The score read 3-0 when Phil Jones nailed an easy header in the 51st minute, and Martial converted a penalty in the 69th minute.

Eyebrows were raised by Romelu Lukaku being left out of the 25-man squad, with the striker now seemingly certain to join Inter Milan.

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