On Wednesday in the Premier League, Manchester United had to overcome Sheffield United twice in order to win all three points. Before halftime, Harry Maguire’s header cancelled out Jayden Bogle’s opening goal. Five minutes after the break, Ben Brereton Diaz gave the Blades their lead back. With a brace, Bruno Fernandes stole the show, and Rasmund Hojlund added the last goal.
When Sheffield United, the worst team, visited Old Trafford, it appeared as though Manchester United would have some calm time after weeks of chaos on the field, which culminated in their wild FA Cup semi-final victory against Coventry.
A little bit of luck. They trailed twice and appeared to be losing until their captain, Bruno Fernandes, nearly single-handedly cleared up the mess.
After converting a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead with two goals, the second of which was a brilliant strike with his left foot, Fernandes set up Rasmus Hojlund’s game-winning goal.
Wes Foderingham of Sheffield United made 11 saves as Man Utd dominated the game, but Andre Onana’s mistake for the game’s first goal exposed their fragility once more.
In spite of everything, Man Utd had a successful evening. After falling to Crystal Palace 2-0, Newcastle advances to sixth position in the standings and regains their chance to qualify for the UEFA Europa League. Although a team the stature of United doesn’t want to be there, for a considerable amount of time on Wednesday it appeared that things would be far worse.
TALKING POINT – WAS MAGUIRE OFFSIDE?
Shortly after Harry Maguire headed Manchester United’s first equalizer, there was a VAR check for offside. Despite the opinion of many on social media that he had passed the final defender, the goal was awarded. The angle of the camera was probably the cause of the optical illusion, and Sheffield United had no objections.
Player of the match: MAN UTD’s Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes’s all-action, occasionally headless style of leadership may not be to everyone’s taste, but without his drive and skill, Manchester United would be in serious trouble. As he had done at Bournemouth in their previous league game, he emphatically dragged them back to 2-2 with his penalty. However, he performed even better this time, first putting United ahead and then setting up Hojlund for the fourth goal.
PLAYER RATINGS
Man Utd: Fernandes 9, Garnacho 7, Hojlund 6, Onana 5, Wan-Bissaka 6, Casemiro 6, Maguire 7, Dalot 8, Mainoo 7, Eriksen 6, Antony 5. Subs: McTominay 6, Wheatley 6, Amrabat 6, Amad 6.
Sheff United: Arblaster 8, Osborn 6, Brooks 6, Archer 6, Brereton 7, Foderingham 8, Holgate 6, Ahmedhodzic 7, Trusty 7, Bogle 7, Hamer 7, Arblaster 8, Arblaster 7. Norwood 6, McAtee 5, Osula 6, Vinicius Souza 6.
MATCH SUMMARY
35′ – SCORE! BOGLE: MAN UTD 0-1 SHEFF UTD More suffering for Man Utd: Jayden Bogle’s error has placed Sheff Utd ahead following Andre Onana’s error! Bogle, on the edge of the area, intercepted his careless pass towards Dalot on the left, charging into the six-yard box and gently slipping the ball past Onana at the near post.
42′ – SCOOP! SHEFF UTD 1-0 MAN UTD (MAGUIRE) Harry Maguire draws even with his former team! Fernandes attempted a free kick that was headed as far left as Garnacho. Early in the move, he crossed to the near post, where Maguire deftly headed the ball over Foderingham and into the far corner.
50′ – SCORE! MAN UTD 1–2. UTD SHEFF (BRERETON) Sheffield United is leading again! This is nonsensical. With a deft turn, Hamer sent the ball towards Osborn, who was overlapping, 25 yards from goal. Brereton finished off his low cross with a clever move, opening his body to loft the ball over Onana from eight yards out.
60′: MAN UTD IS PENALIZED! Even though the ball was in the net, a penalty had already been called. It originated from a corner after Trusty, I believe, was penalized for touching Maguire eight yards from the goal. Sheff United is not satisfied with the ruling, and Man United is not happy because the ball found its way into the net.
61′ – SCOOP! SHEFF UTD 2-2 MAN UTD (PENALTY FOR FERNANDES) Foderingham goes the wrong way as Fernandes blasts the penalty high to his left. He is keeping Manchester United afloat after scoring in five straight games.
81′ – SCOOP! Shef UTD 3, Man UTD 2 (FERNANDES) With a screamer, Bruno Fernandes puts Man Utd ahead! Twenty-five yards from goal, Mainoo found him with an easy pass. He moved the ball to his left foot and unleashed a powerful effort that zipped past Foderingham and into the corner. Even if Fernandes’ shot was somewhat off-target, it was still a fantastic goal that kept Manchester United alive.
85′ – SCOOP! HOJLUND: MAN UTD 4-2 SHEFF UTD That ought to end it. Rasmus Hojlund forces a close-range header from Fernandes, who has now scored two goals, to make it one. That was a goal he needed after a bit of a dry period.
