Man United 4-2 Sheffield United: Bruno’s Brilliance Prevails!
Manchester United’s next venture after their drama-filled penalty shoot-out victory against Coventry City in the FA Cup entailed a trip back home to face Chris Wilder’s struggling Sheffield United side.
Sheffield United’s return to the Premier League thus far has been close to dire. Worst team in the league and a defence to match, having conceded 5 goals or more on 6 separate occasions. One of those distasteful affairs included EIGHT against Newcastle back in September…
The reverse fixture included goals from Scott McTominay and a Diogo Dalot wonder strike which was enough to see off Oli McBurnie’s spot kick setback in-between.
Chris Wilder was brought back for a second spell with The Blades in a desperate attempt to find stability, but his fortunes have ended up to not differ in comparison to Paul Heckingbottom’s start. Most likely Sheffield’s inevitable fate of relegation will be signed, sealed and delivered, but were they to be a step closer after leaving Old Trafford?
As you’d expect, Manchester United came quick out of the blocks and arguably should’ve taken the lead had it not been for procrastinated finishing from Alejandro Garnacho who failed to finish past Wesley Foderingham after solid build up collectively. That level of dominance on ball continued with little to no success in breaking down a defence who have struggled to not present opponents with keys to the kingdom. It may have been of the interests of those in red to find variety in the way they shifted the ball from left to right, before exploiting with a killer delivery.
Notable moments in cinematic productions or even weekly programming often include preludes that build up suspense and expectation. Even then, it came as a complete surprise when Andre Onana under hit a risky pass towards Diogo Dalot which led to Jayden Bogle participating in a game of grand theft, while smartly finishing near post to give Sheffield United a shock lead at Old Trafford. Far from the ideal start for Erik ten Hag’s red army!
Luckily enough, the time in which it took to respond wasn’t long at all. Perhaps the wake up call Manchester United themselves needed was to concede. An uninspiring recurring theme. This time around Harry Maguire was on hand to get his second goal in successive games to equalise and set his side back on the right track. Just a sweet glancing header far post.
That feeling of comfortability never persists. Brereton Díaz, one of The Blades sharpest tools was in position to capitalise off another horror show defensively, placing his strike much like an accomplished forward ravenous and ready to pounce. He did exactly that to begin what needed to be a much more professional second half for the home side.
On the backfoot, searching for redemption once more. One of the club’s better performers over the course of this season Harry Maguire was involved in winning a ticket to level proceedings for a second time. Wrestled down to the ground by Auston Trusty, rather clumsy, and far from unlucky in the outcome of Bruno Fernandes dispatching his first goal of the evening.
The pick of the bunch however wouldn’t come until the 80th minute when after casually receiving the ball from distance, the Portuguese international lashed a rocket straight past Wesley Foderingham to give Manchester United the lead for the first time. An exceptional left footed rocket from Mr Magnifico!
Soon after, the scorer turned provider to assist in ending Rasmus Højlund’s run of 6 games without a goal in all competitions. A welcome sight heading into what could be a pivotal final stretch for many within this squad and of course, Erik ten Hag.
Trips to Burnley and an in-form Crystal Palace make up two of the next three league encounters, not to mention a crucial title deciding battle versus Arsenal at home. Seven points separate Manchester United from a Spurs team also lacking consistency, looking to capitalise on their game in hand. All sights may have been on the FA Cup Final after Sunday’s triumph of sorts, but the journey to Wembley still involves tough hurdles that cannot be avoided!
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Man United 1-1 Burnley: Stumbling Across The Finish Line! - · 27 April 2024 at 18:21
[…] At Old Trafford it was Andre Onana who was called into action mostly due to strikes from the likes of Wilson Odoburt and a threatening 1v1 against Lyle Foster. Quite the way to bounce back after what could’ve been a moral flattening mistake against Sheffield United on Wednesday. […]