Martial and Rashford humiliate Nagelsmann's Leipzig 5-0 at Old Trafford
A late burst of four goals supplied Leipzig trainer Julian Naglesmann with an evening he's sure not soon to forget.
The goals kept coming at Old Trafford. Manchester United substitute Marcus Rashford netted a brace in a four-minute time span between the 74th and 78th. The English Red Devils were far from finished, however. Antony Martial would also convert a late penalty before Rashford completed his hat trick to render the German club's humiliation complete.
Matters began balanced enough at England's "Theater of Dreams". Julian Nagelsmann's 3-4-3, in which Ibrahima Konate deputized for the injured Nordi Mukiele at the back, held their own against their EPL opponents for much of the opening 20 minutes. Even Mason Greenwood's opening goal came somewhat out of the blue.
The 27-year-old French midfielder Paul Pogba unlocked the Leipzig defense with one of his precision through balls. The young English phenom supplied an easy finish to make it 1-0. Germany's Red Bulls weren't able to respond with any particularly special chances of their own, but were able to keep United at bay for the duration of the first half and much of the second.
Then came the breakthrough. Rashford burst through in the 74th with a terrific solo run originating at the half-way line. The finish was cold and clinical. Four minutes later, Rashford would capitalize again after Leipzig captain Marcel Sabitzer, displaying noticeable rust after his injury layoff, lost control of the ball in dangerous territory.
A frustrated Sabitzer would haul down Martial in the box in the 86th, affording United a chance to go up 4-0 on a spot kick. Two minutes into injury time, Martial would set up Rashford for his third goal in only 24 minutes on the pitch.