MANCHESTER UNITED’S return to Premier League action was anything but smooth – but they got the job done over Sheffield United.
Jayden Bogle pounced on Andre Onana’s howler to give the Blades a shock lead before it was quickly wiped out by Harry Maguire’s delightful header.
Bereton Diaz then helped the visitors restore their lead, only just to see Bruno Fernandes level the scoring once more from the penalty spot.
Captain fantastic Fernandes stepped up yet again by smashing one in from long range to put the hosts in front for the first time.
And then the Portuguese magician put it on a plate for Rasmus Hojlund to end his drought and seal all three points.
- RESULT: Man Utd 4-2 Sheff Utd
- Live stream/TV: Not televised in the UK
- Man Utd XI: Onana; Dalot, Maguire, Casemiro, Wan-Bissaka; Mainoo, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
- Sheff Utd XI: Foderingham; Holgate, Ahmedhodzic, Trusty; Bogle, Hamer, Arblaster, Osborn, Brooks; Brereton Diaz, Archer
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Match report
Bruno Fernandes spared Manchester United more embarrassment as they came from behind to beat rock bottom Sheffield United.
Erik ten Hag’s men were behind twice but in the end a Fernandes penalty and long-range blast put them ahead.
Then he was the supplier with a cross for Rasmus Hojlund to make it all safe.
Having made more than hardwork of getting past Coventry City on Sunday this looked at one point that it could easily have gone against them too.
But superior quality showed in the end.
No doubt in Erik’s eyes this was more evidence of the resilience in his team as they fight it out for a place in the Europa Conference League.
How we stand
Newcastle’s defeat means United are now sixth in the Premier League.
Here’s how the top half looks, with Liverpool now out the title race it would appear.
Where the problems lie
Bruno Fernandes hinted it when he spoke earlier.
But this shows where the problem lies at United currently…
Ten Hag on Bruno
He continued: “Bruno’s very consistent. At the moment he’s in very good form.
“We are striving to progress the team. The number of goals we are scoring in this moment is a huge progress. If we have our back four back, then I’m sure we will be more consistent.”
Ten Hag reacts
Erik ten Hag praised the composure of his side after twice falling behind in front of their own fans.
He told BBC’s Match of the Day: “Many positives today. The resilience to fight back after losing two times. But also there were negatives. We gave it away, it can’t happen, unacceptable, we have to learn from this.
“But I’m happy with the win and we need to move on.
“Have you seen some panic? No, not at all, we were very composed. We kept making chances throughout the game.”
250 up
Not only is it a memorable night for Ethan Wheatley making his first team debut, it represents a milestone for United.
He becomes the 250th academy graduate to make an appearance in the first team!
‘Demands winning games’
Bruno Fernandes says the main thing is winning games at Man Utd after his performance tonight.
Per BBC, he said: “We talk about clean sheets all the time and we want to keep them. Credit to Sheffield United.
“At the end we came back. We put ourselves in a position where it’s tough to win games. But also it shows a bit of character.
“We also need to be aware that if we control the game like we did in the first half, we have to score our chances.
“We’re scoring lots of goals. It’s just about that compactness we need to have as a team.
“I’m really happy to score, but I want to win games more than score goals. It’s part of my role also, to score goals. But the main thing for me is winning games.
“Lately we haven’t won as many as we should have. It’s part of the job. You can win eight or nine games in a row, and then as soon as you lose you know you will be criticised. Being a Manchester United player demands winning games.”
Fine in the end
It was a good win for Manchester United in the end but it didn’t start well for them.
Andre Onana made a shocking blunder to give Sheffield United the lead at Old Trafford.
Onana was trying to play out from the back when his misdirected pass landed right at Bogle’s feet.
The defender made the most of the situation and neatly tucked the ball past the goalkeeper to put his relegation battling side ahead.
Although Sheffield United’s lead didn’t last very long at all after Harry Maguire levelled the score just seven minutes later.
However, that didn’t stop Man Utd fans from venting their frustrations online about Onana’s shortcomings since his summer arrival from Ajax.
Man of the match
No real surprises there is there.
The United captain picking up successive man of the match awards.
Elsewhere
It’s a pretty perfect night for Manchester United.
Liverpool are out the title race now after defeat in the derby at Goodison.
And closest challengers Newcastle have also been beaten 2-0 at Crystal Palace as they lose their grip on sixth.
Full time stats
The numbers at the end of the game showing a dominant United display across the evening.
Sheffield United more of an attacking threat in the second period but United just about doing enough to warrant the victory.
Credit: LiveScore FT: Man Utd 4-2 Sheff Utd
Sheffield United certainly had a go tonight and played their part in a big way.
They had the lead twice in the game and looked set to pile more misery on Erik ten Hag.
But a Bruno Fernandes double and late Rasmus Hojlund goal turned the game on its head and it’s United and Ten Hag celebrating.
FULL TIME
Three points for Manchester United as they come from behind for a priceless win to move sixth in the league!
Reaction to follow.
Man Utd 4-2 Sheff Utd
90+7. Fernandes then smashes a ball across goal with Garnacho in at the back post but it’s just overhit and away from danger.
Man Utd 4-2 Sheff Utd
90+7. Garnacho sent through on the left and bodies to pick out inside the box.
He smashes it at goal and Foderingham again keeps him out. Not been his night in front of goal at all.
Man Utd 4-2 Sheff Utd
90+3. United almost in again.
Fernandes’ attempted through ball for Wheatley is just cut out in the nick of time as the youngster looked set to be in on goal.
Man Utd 4-2 Sheff Utd
90. A United double change.
And a significant and special one at that as 18-year-old academy striker Ethan Wheatley comes on for his Manchester United debut.
- OFF: Hojlund & Mainoo
- ON: Wheatley & Amrabat
Man Utd 4-2 Sheff Utd
90. United deal with that one.
There will be NINE added minutes!
Man Utd 4-2 Sheff Utd
89. Hamer comes forward again down the right but his cross hits the head of Harry Maguire and goes behind for a corner.
His cross is better than the shot a minute ago and a header on target is headed off the line!
Hamer comes forward again and his shot from the edge of the box strikes Casemiro and goes behind for another corner!
89 minutes with barely a touch and suddenly Hamer is the main man this last couple of minutes.
Man Utd 4-2 Sheff Utd
89. It’s not a great attempt from Hamer as it floats harmlessly wide.
Man Utd 4-2 Sheff Utd
88. Casemiro penalised for a foul just outside his own box.
He looks shocked as the referee points for a free kick, about five yards outside the box. It’s very central too and a chance for Sheffield United.
Man Utd 4-2 Sheff Utd
87. McAtee hasn’t long been on but was hurt in a challenge a short time ago. He’s away off again.
- OFF: McAtee
- ON: Osula
Man Utd 4-2 Sheff Utd
84. Manchester United are moving into fifth spot tonight.
I don’t need to tell you who set this one up….
Dalot with a peach of a ball over the top to find Fernandes who times his run expertly well. He’s running away from goal but on the turn sends a delightful pass across the six-yard box where Hojlund comes steaming in to slide and smash it into the net.
That ends a six-game drought.
GOOOOAAAAALLLLLL!!!
GAME OVER – RASMUS HOJLUND WRAPS UP THE POINTS FOR UNITED!
Man Utd 3-2 Sheff Utd
81. I asked where United would be without Bruno Fernandes.
Now I’ll answer it. They’d be ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE.
He’s single handedly carrying this team on his back and that’s highlighted tonight once more.
He picks up a pass from Mainoo about 25 yards from goal. Nobody goes to close him down and he works it onto his left foot and smashes a left-footed shot into the corner of the net.
Foderingham dived but he was nowhere near it. Sensational strike and United turn it around!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
