In a game that was overshadowed by the sad passing of Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton, the Reds secured back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time this season on Saturday evening; defeating Sheffield United 2-1 at Bramall Lane. By no means was Erik Ten Hag’s side at their best against a team currently at the bottom of the table. It still leaves many questions to be answered. It wasn’t great but it was all about the three points.
The line-up saw a back four featuring a mixture of players due to injuries to the fullbacks as Victor Lindelof went in at left-back. At times, it could be seen as a back three alongside Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans with Diogo Dalot pushing further up on the right. The build-up play on the left was not as effective.
travelling Reds pay a moving tribute to Sir Bobby
The Reds received devastating news before the match that legend Sir Bobby Charlton had passed away at the age of 86 on Saturday morning. A poignant and moving tribute was paid to him before the kick-off as the away fans sang in the ground “There’s only one Bobby Charlton”.
In terms of the game, United had to do more defending in the early stages against the Blades, and Andre Onana had to be called upon a number of times. He denied Cameron Archer’s low drive in the 24th minute. Though the ball was still in the danger area, Dalot was there to clear. We grew into the game as we had weathered the pressure upon us. We struck first in the 21st minute thanks to another goal from Scott McTominay, who had been the hero in the previous game against Brentford.
He kept an overhit cross from Dalot to keep the ball in play and then received the ball from Bruno Fernandes on his chest firing the ball into the far corner of the goal delighting the travelling fans. Unfortunately, three minutes later McTominay had stretched his arm out and blocked James McAtee’s cross with the referee Michael Oliver deeming it a handball, and subsequently we conceded the penalty, which Oli McBurnie converted to equalize for the Blades.
We could have taken the lead again just before half-time as Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick struck the woodwork. In the third minute of added-on time, an effort by Rashford found its way to Rasmus Hojlund inside the box but he was to be denied by Sheffield United’s goalkeeper Wes Foderingham.
Much improved second half from the Reds
Into the second half, Andre Onana was again called upon twice within the first six minutes forcing Oliver Norwood’s driving effort over the bar before having to change direction to keep Rhian Brewster’s long-range strike out of the goal. Marcus Rashford had a moment to put the Reds ahead after being setup by Fernandes inside the box but his shot went wide of the goal. Sofyan Amrabat nearly scored his first goal for the club but his strike hit the crossbar.
Diogo Dalot was next to take aim at the opposition’s goal in the 77th minute. Lindelof’s ball across the box was met by the Portuguese full-back, who curled in an absolute thunderbolt that could only be palmed into the top corner by Wes Foderingham to give us the lead. United had more chances to score thereafter as Garnacho had an effort blocked and another hitting the side netting. He had another chance to make it three in stoppage time. The United defence did well to counter any Sheffield United attacks and thus did not concede a late equaliser.
We held on for our second consecutive victory in the Premier League and now go above West Ham into eighth place. Next up for United, we return to Champions League action on Tuesday evening at Old Trafford against Copenhagen; whom we must beat to stand any chances of making the knockout stages of the competition.