MAN UTD 4-2 SHEFFIELD UTD: A Bruno Fernandes double, a well-taken header from Harry Maguire and a strike from Rasmus Hojlund avoided more embarrassment for the Red Devils and Erik ten Hag
The brilliant Bruno Fernandes stepped up to spare Erik ten Hag’s blushes as Manchester United came from behind on two occasions to beat Premier League bottom dwellers Sheffield United 4-2.
The relegation-threatened visitors took a surprise lead on 35 minutes when wing-back Jayden Bogle capitalised on a howler from Andre Onana, giving the Blades hope of causing an upset, as they did at Old Trafford in 2021. But just like in that famous 2-1 win during Chris Wilder’s first stint, one of their own levelled the scores.
Having netted in the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry, Harry Maguire scored for the second game in a row, once again showing his aerial prowess to finally beat the excellent Wes Foderingham on the goalkeeper’s return to the Blades’ staring XI. Ben Brereton Diaz then restored their lead after more slack United defending, only for Fernandes to grab the Red Devils an equaliser.
The Red Devils captain then unleashed a left-footed rocket to put the home team in the lead before Rasmus Hojlund sealed the three points by converting Fernandes’ cross, inflicting more misery for Wilder.
Here are six talking points from Old Trafford.
1. What does Amad need to do?
With Marcus Rashford out injured and a doubt over Alejandro Garnacho’s fitness, many United fans thought it’d finally be time for Amad to start his first game of the season. Although his extra-time winner against Liverpool remains the best moment of the Red Devils’ mostly turgid season, the Ivorian attacker has had to be increasingly patient after a serious ankle injury in pre-season and a limited number of cameos since his return in December.
Erik ten Hag admitted after Amad’s 121st-minute winner that the 21-year-old ‘deserved’ to start more games but predictably, Antony got the nod on the right flank and Garnacho was able to start when the Blades came over the A57 on Wednesday. If Amad can’t start at home to bottom of the league three days after a draining semi-final for the regular starters, it begs question: when can he?
Your turn! Should Amad leave Manchester United this summer? Let us know in the comments section
2. Oh no, Onana
If you weren’t watching live, every single metric showed you how dominant United were for the first 35 minutes. Boasting 83 per cent possession, the Red Devils were typically wasteful, with Garnacho missing a guilt-edged chance to break the deadlock.
But just as much of Old Trafford were beginning to fear, it was the Blades who drew first blood. Not for the first time this term, Andre Onana was effectively the sole culprit. A bad first touch from the United goalkeeper forced him to panic and his pass across his box towards Diogo Dalot was cut out by Jayden Bogle.
The Blades wing-back had options to pull it back but instead he coolly drove towards Onana and whipped the ball inside his near post. Bogle has got a knack for scoring against the big boys, with his three Premier League goals this season coming against Chelsea, Manchester City and now United. The sighs and moans from the home crowd threatened to drown out those celebrating in the away end, but the tables were turned by an ex-Blade just seven minutes later.
3. Maguire condemns his old side
They might’ve long surpassed the infamous nine-point mark but Sheffield United still can’t escape comparisons to Derby County’s historically bad 2008-09 season. When Blades academy product Harry Maguire – who also scored on Sunday – produced a striker-like header to convert Garnacho’s cross and get United back on level terms before half-time, it marked the 89th league goal which Chris Wilder’s side have conceded this term.
That took them level with Derby and with four-and-a-half games to go at the break, who would’ve bet against the the Blades making that record their very own?
4. Cutback chaos strikes again for United
If you ever get a notification for this United side conceding a goal, it’s usually one of two things: an individual error or a cutback. On Wednesday, Red Devils supporters were subject to both. In another repeat of that 2021 clash which marked one of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s worst results, the Blades retook the lead in the second half.
A slick move from the Blades gave Ben Osborn acres of space on the left of the penalty area and with United’s defence dragged apart, he was able to find team-mate Ben Brereton Diaz. The Villarreal loanee, born in Stoke but a Chilean international, calmly slotted past Onana for his first goal in five games and one which put Wilder and co back in the ascendency.
Ten Hag responded by hauling Antony off for Amad, prompting cheers from the home fans.
5. Fernandes continues hot streak
It’s not a run which Bruno Fernandes will look back on with much fondness, but seven goals in five games regardless of your team’s results is nothing to be sniffed at. When Maguire was bundled over in the box, United’s captain stepped up to the spot and produced an emphatic strike which Foderingham would’ve done well to stop even if he’d gone the right way.
But it was his second goal of the night which made the difference; a left-footed strike from 20 yards out (and the top drawer) which flew past the helpless Foderingham. It was a game in which the Red Devils’ leaders had to step up, and Maguire and Fernandes did exactly that to avoid another humiliating result.
Hojlund then ended his goal drought and made the scoreline a much more comfortable one that than perhaps United deserved.
6. History made for United
As Ten Hag was comfortable enough to make a couple of late substitutions, under-18 striker Ethan Wheatley became the 250 graduate of United’s famous academy. He showed promise, too, looking sharp and perhaps giving the Red Devils boss another striking option in what’s set to be a crucial final few games of the season, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe weighs up the Dutchman’s future.
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Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
