MANCHESTER UNITED recovered from an early Dean Henderson howler to claim all three points at Bramall Lane.
The league’s bottom side had got off to the perfect start, when their former loanee gifted them an opener when caught on the ball by Oliver Burke.
Manchester United’s attacking talent bailed out Henderson’s gaffeCredit: PA:Press Association
But a Marcus Rashford-inspired United came roaring back, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s comeback kings produced some wonderful goals as they moved to within a point of the top four, with a game in hand.
Here’s how SunSport’s Etienne Fermie rated each Red Devil on the night.
DEAN HENDERSON – 4/10
Dreadful error for Sheffield United’s opener in the sixth minute as he was caught dawdling on the ball by Burke, who dispossessed him before setting up David McGoldrick to pass the ball into the empty net.
Produced a decent stop to deny McGoldrick from a narrow angle in the 37th minute, and stayed alert to keep Burke out on the stroke of half-time.
Didn’t look comfortable defending set-pieces all night and was in no man’s land for the Blades’ second. Booked for time wasting late on, before producing a big save to deny Lys Mousset in stoppage time and preserve United’s three points.
Dean Henderson was caught out by Oliver Burke early onCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail
AARON WAN-BISSAKA – 6
Defended solidly enough and tried to offer an attacking outlet when he could.
An accomplished evening for the former Crystal Palace ace.
VICTOR LINDELOF – 6
Nice, precise long pass to find Marcus Rashford for United’s equaliser.
Defended well and produced some nice, searching passes.
Unfortunate to head the ball against the back of McGoldrick’s head for Sheffield United’s second.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 6
Solid enough return to Bramall Lane for the burly United skipper.
Untroubled for much of the evening and did his job as willingly as ever.
Harry Maguire enjoyed a happy return homeCredit: Reuters
ALEX TELLES – 6
Quiet evening for the summer signing from Portuguese football.
The full-back, preferred to Luke Shaw, offered a technically excellent option down the left flank, as well as wonderful set-piece delivery.
Great recovery challenge on George Baldock late on.
NEMANJA MATIC – 6
Beaten all ends up by a beautiful Chris Basham flick in the build-up to an excellent John Fleck chance that could have made it 2-0.
Despite being particularly slow these days, Matic can still help to orchestrate a match like this for his manager.
United were made to battle with the BladesCredit: AFP
PAUL POGBA – 7
Wonderful reverse round the corner to set up Anthony Martial in the 34th minute.
Caught on the ball at times but also produced some lovely, probing passes between the lines.
Sensational roulette and pass started the counter-attack that led to United’s third goal.
Booked for his role in a late skirmish with Jack Robinson.
Whatever is being said off the pitch, Pogba produced a committed display on itCredit: Reuters
MASON GREENWOOD – 6
Took a hefty whack in the build-up to Rashford’s second goal, as United countered downfield in fluid fashion.
Stung Ramsdale’s palms with a right-footed drive following some sharp stepovers.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 8
Great pass to play Rashford through in the first-half, and another stunning reverse to put Martial in on goal.
Flicked the ball on to Greenwood in the build-up to Rashford’s second, before receiving it again and laying forward to Martial, who teed up his strike partner.
Found Juan Mata round the back with a sumptuous pass with the outside of his right boot late on.
Bruno Fernandes was his usual ambitious selfCredit: EPA
MARCUS RASHFORD – 9
Magnificent touch and finish from Victor Lindelof’s long ball to slap the Red Devils level in the 26th minute.
Could have made it 3-1 after being slipped through by Martial, but blasted his left-footed drive straight at Aaron Ramsdale.
Made a breathtaking second-half dart downfield before teeing up Greenwood for a half-chance that led Ally McCoist to wax lyrical in the Amazon Prime Video booth.
Grabbed his second by getting on the end of a wonderful United counter.
Marcus Rashford smacked United level with an excellent finishCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail
ANTHONY MARTIAL – 8
Couldn’t quite conjure a stunning Fernandes pass under his spell on the half hour.
Sharp to get on the end of Paul Pogba’s reverse before prodding United in front.
Produced a nice, unselfish through-ball after a scintillating run to find Rashford shortly after his goal.
Teed up United’s No10 unselfishly for his side’s third and nearly had a second himself, but for a last-ditch block following Mata’s pull-back.
Martial prodded United into the leadCredit: Getty Images – Getty
SUBSTITUTES
Juan Mata (for Greenwood, 74) – 6
Nearly teed up Anthony Martial after scampering in behind, and was later denied by a smart Ramsdale stop.
Donny van de Beek (for Fernandes, 79) – 4
Fluffed his first touch when a slide-rule pass could have sent Rashford in for his hat-trick.
Scott McTominay (for Martial, 90) – N/A
Not enough time for the Scottish midfielder to make an impact.
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Man Utd boss Solskjaer thanks Sheffield United for developing Dean Henderson into top talent
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
