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Pogba betters 2020-21 haul with four assists vs Leeds

Paul Pogba managed only three assists for Manchester United in the 2020-21 campaign, but has required just one appearance this time around to better that return.

SOURCE: ALLFOOTBALL

The France international midfielder has often seen questions asked of his consistency at club level and ability to be a talismanic performer for the Red Devils.

He was, however, very much in the groove during an opening day meeting with Leeds at Old Trafford, with his efforts contributing signifcantly to a convincing win for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

The 28-year-old has seen his future speculated on again in the current window after entering the final year of his current contract.

His performance against Leeds suggests that United should be doing all they can to tie him down on fresh terms.

A lively opening by United was rewarded on the half-hour mark when Pogba fizzed a one-touch pass into the path of Bruno Fernandes to drill home.

The World Cup winner than curled a perfect pass beyond the Leeds backline for Mason Greenwood to edge the home side back in front early in the second half, after Luke Ayling had briefly levelled.

He was not done there and also put a second on a plate for Fernandes, before then providing the cross for Fred to turn in a fifth of the afternoon for the rampant Red Devils.

Having endured struggles on home soil when stumbling out of the blocks last season, United – with fans back in attendance – have made a dream start to 2021-22 as they look to bring a five-year wait for major silverware to a close.

While Pogba earned plenty of plaudits with his four assists, it was Fernandes that took home the match ball.

The Portuguese playmaker was United’s top scorer in 2020-21 and has now registered a first Premier League hat-trick for the club.

Solskjaer will be looking for Fernandes and Pogba to strike up a formidable partnership in the middle of the park, with their obvious qualities set to play a crucial role for the Red Devils.

United will be back in action next weekend when taking in a trip to Southampton.

Arteta: Arsenal were ‘not good enough’ and ‘deserved’ to lose against Brentford

Mikel Arteta has admitted his Arsenal side were ‘not good enough’ after a 2-0 defeat against newly promoted Brentford on Friday.

The Gunners were beaten 2-0 at a raucous Brentford Community Stadium in the first match of the new Premier League season.

And Arteta told Sky Sports that the peformance was lacking, before apologising to their fans following a limp performance.

SOURCE: ALLFOOTBALL

He said: ‘I’m disappointed. It’s not the way we wanted to start the season. We didn’t start well, conceding a goal in an isolated incident. We didn’t cope well with the second balls or long balls. And that’s all they needed to create problems for us. Then we conceded from a long throw.

‘The biggest worry was our threat in front of goal. The amount of times we got around the box and got in great situations but it wasn’t enough threat or shots on target. If you don’t do that in the Premier League then you won’t win.’

Sergi Canos scored in the first half before Christian Norgaard headed home after the break, with Arsenal complaining that the ball had gone off the pitch before the opener and that Bernd Leno was fouled before the second goal.

However, the north London side could not pretend they deserved anything out of the game, and despite having more possession created little in attack apart from chances created via the effervescent Emile Smith Rowe and left back Kieran Tierney.

Arteta added: ‘I don’t want excuses – we missed players but I don’t like to hide. We were not good enough to beat them. We did not do the basics. We have started in a disappointing way but we will review and speak with cool heads and try to put it right as soon as possible.’

‘First of all, thank you because of the support that they are giving to the team, the travelling fans that were here. And after that, I apologise for the result and we know that we have to improve. We have two big games coming up right now and we need a different performance to get a different result.’