London (AFP)
Author of four assists, Paul Pogba allowed Manchester United to make a perfect start with a clear victory against Leeds (5-1), while Crystal Palace coached by Patrick Vieira fell to Chelsea on Saturday in the first day of the championship of England.
After a complicated last season in club, an unhappy end of euro with the France team, then a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain made impossible by the recruitment of Messi, the midfielder showed this Saturday his motivation for his sixth season away at Old Trafford.
His assists on the first two goals of Bruno Fernandes (30th) and Mason Greenwood (52nd) were perfect in terms of inspiration, dosage and speed of execution.
Manchester United French midfielder Paul Pogba in the Premier League match against Leeds on August 14, 2021 at Old Trafford Adrian DENNIS AFP
The technical and athletic intensity of the entire Manchester United squad has been continuous for most of the game, with very little drop in power, confirming that Ole Gunnar Solksjaer is slowly on the move. to successfully transform the Red Devils.
Author of a hat-trick, Bruno Fernandes recalled that this team had not been the same since his arrival eighteen months ago.
Portuguese Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes celebrates his goal with French teammate Paul Pogba on Premier League Matchday 1 on August 14, 2021 at Old Trafford Adrian DENNIS AFP
The return of the public, with 75,000 spectators at Old Trafford for the first time since the start of the pandemic, also played a role, after last season's six home losses in the league.
This clear victory is all the more encouraging as it was achieved without the two main signings - young striker Jadon Sancho only entered late in the game, while center-back Raphael Varane was introduced to the public.
French defender Raphaêl Varane, new Manchester United recruit, is introduced to supporters before the start of the match against Leeds counting for the first day of the Premier League, on August 14, 2021 at Old Trafford Adrian DENNIS AFP
Difficult first for Patrick Vieira
Unsurprisingly, Patrick Vieira's debut in the Premier League was particularly complicated, with a logical defeat from Crystal Palace to Chelsea (3-0).
Faced with the last winner of the Champions League, the Eagles did not have any illusions, especially in a first period where they did not shoot once on goal nor obtained the slightest corner.
The fate of the meeting was already defined at the break (2-0, goals from Marcos Alonso in the 27th and Christian Pulisic in the 40th).
Three days after their victory on penalties in the European Supercup against Villarreal, the Blues managed in the second half, with a third goal from Trevoh Chalobah (58th).
The joy of Spanish Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso after opening the scoring against Crystal Palace on Matchday 1 of the Premier League on August 14, 2021 at Stamford Bridge stadium in London Glyn KIRK AFP
The former Nice coach will already be under pressure next weekend with the reception of Brentford, euphoric after his very first Premier League game against Arsenal (2-0), and before a series of relatively stiff oppositions (West Ham , Tottenham, Liverpool).
Crystal Palace's new coach, Frenchman Patrick Vieira, during the Premier League match against Chelsea on August 14, 2021 at Stamford Bridge stadium in London Glyn KIRK AFP
Note also the good start of Rafael Benitez on the bench of Everton (3-1 victory against Southampton) and the victory of Leicester against Wolverhampton (1-0).
This first day continues at the end of the afternoon with the trip from Liverpool to Norwich (6.30 p.m.), followed by the clash between Tottenham and Manchester City (5.30 p.m.) on Sunday.
© 2021 AFP