Patrick Bamford was frequently criticised during his debut season with Leeds, but United will have to rely on the Grantham-born attacker far more in the new campaign with Kemar Roofe closing in on a move to RSC Anderlecht.
For some Whites supporters, the time to sing the £5.4million-rated striker’s name has already arrived after he began the new term strongly at Bristol City, with the second of our three goals at Ashton Gate.
Pablo Hernandez had opened the scoring in the first half in his own typical fashion, by cutting in from the wing to find a pocket of space 18-yards from goal, and leathering the ball into the top corner of Daniel Bentley’s net.
More magic from the 34-year-old in the second-half eventually led to Bamford opening his 2019/20 account on the 57-minute mark, as the former Spain international skipped past Robins’ left-back Jay Dasilva to pave a way to the byline, where he lifted the ball into the box for Bamford to head home.
It took the 25-year-old until his third United appearance to open his Whites account last season following his summer switch from Middlesbrough, albeit with each outing coming from the bench.
He would not score again until December, though, as his first lengthy absence of the campaign arose when he suffered a cruciate ligament injury during an Under 23s clash in September. Hopefully, we do not have to wait as long to see the 6ft hitman find the net again this season.
Opening his account so early on will also help to keep the fans on side, given Bamford was jeered throughout his debut campaign whenever his efforts failed to return the desired results.
Speaking after the win at Bristol City, where supporters sang his name, the forward reflected on the support of the fanbase with the club’s official website:
“Obviously last year, some fans are welcome to their opinions, and it’s nice to hear them singing my name.
“I’ve got a job to do, and I know what I’ve got to do. For me, I’ve just got to keep my head straight and carry on with what I’ve got to do.”
Here’s how these United supporters reacted to his comments…
Needs the fans on his side, he nearly mentioned the abuse he gets in the fans opinions part. Clearly means a lot to him to be backed so let’s get behind our number 9
— Ben Cawley ???????? (@BenLufcCawley) August 4, 2019
Lovely bloke. Deserved his name to be sang ????
— Wards (@1wards) August 4, 2019
Bam bam bamford great performance
— mightywhites#lufc (@Greg94677) August 5, 2019
All Patrick Bamford haters just been silenced he plays he scores he puts a shift in, not like Roofe just doing one
— jb (@Joshiboy19911) August 4, 2019
— Archielufc (@archiedowns03) August 4, 2019
Was class today ran everywhere
— Joe (@Joe38296531) August 4, 2019
Great team performance but still worry about Casilla judgement (not his skill) #MOT
— stevenjroberts (@stevenjroberts5) August 4, 2019
Fantastic game and 3 great goals xx
— pauline Thompson (@Apothecary2019) August 4, 2019