Five things we learned as Manchester United beat RB Leipzig 5-0

Manchester United have beaten RB Leipzig at Old Trafford, winning 5-0.

Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford (3) and Anthony Martial scored the goals.

Here is a look at five things we learned from the victory…

United were so good

Consider the Old Trafford hoodoo over. United’s three game winless streak at home ended in emphatic fashion.

This was a complete performance from start to finish from every United player on the pitch.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer outwitted Julian Nagelsmann with his approach, and early substitutions.

Anthony Martial got his goal which will boost his confidence at the end to be boost his confidence.

This was a display for everybody to be proud of. United’s season is properly up and running now.

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It’s just a crying shame this kind of performance did not have fans in attendance to soak it in.

FBL-EUR-C1-MAN UTD-RB LEIPZIG — Photo by ANTHONY DEVLIN/AFP via Getty Images

Tactical change unleashes Paul Pogba

The system of four players in midfield benefits Paul Pogba most of all as it allows him to get forward.

He supplied a fantastic pass for his second Champions League assist of the season to set up Mason Greenwood’s opener.

This pass simply doesn’t happen if United are playing a midfield three.

Having both Nemanja Matic and Fred behind him helps him get forward and join the attack.

Pogba worked hard off the ball and is noticeably sharper than he was at the start of the season. It looks like he is enjoying his football again and this role suited him.

Manchester United v RB Leipzig: Group H - UEFA Champions League — Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Mason Greenwood steps up

It has been a difficult start to the season for Mason Greenwood but you can’t keep a top talent down for long.

His first ever Champions League goal was a memorable one, beating the offside trap and scoring with a first time strike with his left foot.

He shrugged off Dayot Upamecano and made his finish look easy, but it really wasn’t.

This will ignite Greenwood’s season and now United have a big selection dilemma up front away to Arsenal at the weekend.

United take control

United are now firmly in control of this Champions League group.

Two wins against Istanbul Basaksehir will clinch qualification with two games to go, while PSG and Leipzig take points off one another.

United can’t underestimate the Turks, but this is a great position to be in.

Early qualification will secure Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s job too. He has probably done that already.

Unbelievable strength

It says so much about Manchester United’s options that Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford could be left on the bench.

This double act helped turn the game back in United’s favour when Leipzig were pushing for an equaliser. Both players combined for a sublime second goal, before Rashford went on to score his hat-trick.

Axel Tuanzebe, one of the heroes of the PSG win, was also omitted from the starting XI, as was Edinson Cavani, while Alex Telles was not even in the squad.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still trying to work out his best XI and balance the team from week to week, taking into account fitness, injuries and suspensions.

Keeping Fernandes on the bench was unthinkable for a big game last season. Van de Beek’s arrival gives the manager the freedom to rotate.

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