Sheff Utd 1 Man Utd 2
Erik ten Hag’s side travelled to Bramall Lane, rocked by the news earlier in the day that Bobby Charlton had sadly passed away. A man who had done so much for the football club, in his playing days and retirement, will be sorely missed.
On the pitch, Sheff Utd were looking to turn things around in front of their own fans, who had witnessed an 8-0 humbling in their last home game. Paul Heckingbottom’s side were still searching for their first win of the Premier League campaign.
The hosts were to create the first chance of the game as Archer strode forward with the ball before unleashing a fierce shot from outside the box, which Onana got down well to save with a strong arm. Those are not words we have heard linked to the United keeper very often this season.
It was a game of few chances in the opening exchanges but when the visitors finally started to spend some time in their opponent’s final third, they started to create. Fernandes drilled a pass into the chest of McTominay who managed to volley the ball into the bottom corner.
Credit: @SheffieldUnited
The away end erupted as the man who scored a late brace to turn the game around against Brentford was at it again. However, he went from saint to sinner as he stuck his arm out to block a Sheff Utd cross and the referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot.
Oli McBurnie stepped up to side-foot his penalty in, clipping the inside of the post on its way. Bramall Lane exploded into life as their side had pegged back Man Utd when they all had fears of sinking without a trace to another defeat.
As Rashford broke down the left, the ball was eventually worked to Fernandes, who did a Cruyff-turn before being fouled by Norwood. He stepped up to take the resulting free kick, leaving Foderingham rooted to the spot as the effort struck the top of the crossbar.
Just before half time, Rashford looked to cut inside and shoot but his effort deflected into the path of Hojlund. He took one touch before getting a shot away but Foderingham got enough of a touch to send the ball wide for a corner.
Rhian Brewster came on for The Blades and was immediately involved as he picked the ball up outside of the box and tried a long range effort. It seemed the change direction in the air and Onana made a very uncomfortable save to keep him out.
The Red Devils were to create the next opportunity when Antony slipped it into Fernandes who thought about shooting but laid it off to Rashford. He hit his effort first time on his weaker left-foot but the ball narrowly grazed the far post.
Credit: @ManUtd
Erik ten Hag’s side came so close to retaking the lead when Sofyan Amrabat thundered an effort from outside the box, only to see it comes back off the crossbar. Fernandes picked up the loose ball, cut inside and shot with his left foot, narrowly missing the far corner.
As Man Utd piled on the pressure, trying to get the win, Lindelof had got into a wide position and picked out Dalot in the middle of the park. He took one touch before whipping his foot around the ball, seeing it fly into the top corner, despite Foderingham getting a hand to it.
This result will not create ripples of fear across the Premier League, it was a scrappy victory for Man Utd but a win nonetheless. Sheff Utd will wonder when their luck will finally change, if at all. They remain rooted to the bottom of the table, while Man Utd’s top scorer this season is McTominay with three goals. That underlines the problems ten Hag’s side face currently.
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