Bruno Fernandes scored twice in a hard-fought victory against bottom club Sheffield United, in a game that United went behind in twice.
It certainly wasn’t a vintage performance, and didn’t answer a lot of the questions raised by United’s collapse against Coventry City.
Yet Another poor start
Again, United started a game poorly and conceded first.
One of the issues was the lack of a reliable defensive midfielder that can win the ball back and exert control over the game. Bruno Fernandes put in a MOTM performance with 2 goals an assist, but in doing so, gave the ball away no fewer than 28 times over the entire match. He is a high-risk, high-reward player, and we currently don’t have a suitable counterpart for him in the centre of the park.
The first goal itself came from an Onana error; his cross-field pass was intercepted and tucked away nicely by Jayden Bogle.
United started to play and equalised through a deft Harry Maguire flicked header from Garnacho’s cross shortly before half-time. Hardly the convincing half of football we wanted after the FA Cup semi final.
More mistakes second half
Five minutes after the break, United were behind again, this time due to some lovely football down the Sheffield United left and a shocking lack of communication between United’s lines; Cristian Eriksen being particularly guilty of getting turned too easily and then not tracking his man.
Number 11 Bereton Diaz in acres of space moments before his goal – despite United having 8 outfield players in the box
United brought on Diallo and McTominay for the ineffective Antony and Eriksen, and did start to dominate, as they should, and a foul on Maguire led to a Bruno equaliser from the penalty spot on the hour mark. The captain was inspired form; belting an 81st-minute left-footed strike into the top corner, before setting up Rasmus Hojlund with a deft assist a few minutes later.
Overall, United were value for the win, and the manner in which we fought back will please under-pressure Ten Hag.
However, Sheffield United are nailed-on for relegation this season, so for us to go behind twice at Old Trafford is concerning. Similar to the FA Cup game at the weekend, this was a win that probably raised more questions than it answered.
PLAYER RATINGS AND MOTM
Onana – 5. A bad mistake for the first goal and nowhere near the second.
Dalot – 6. Got forward often and should have had been awarded a goal before the penalty, but lost the winger for Sheffield’s second.
Casemiro – 6.5. Looked decent at centre half and put in a shift. As with the entire backline, positioning for the second Sheffield goal was poor.
Maguire – 7.5. Another headed goal and generally a robust, dominant display, especially in the air. Also won United’s penalty.
Wan-Bissaka – 5.5. Looked quite good going forwards at times. Clearly more comfortable at right back – Ten Hag should keep him there and play Dalot at left back.
Mainoo – 7. As is often the case; usually made the right decision and looked dangerous going forward at times. Grabbed an assist for Bruno’s second.
Fernandes – 8 & MOTM. A trademark Bruno performance. Two goals, one assist, and plenty of giving the ball away too. High-risk, high-reward football at its finest.
Eriksen – 5. Still looks leggy. Saw a lot of the ball but didn’t influence the game much and was brought off in the second half.
Garnacho – 7. Positive and looked dangerous often. End product still lacking at times but set up Maguire’s goal and should have scored himself when through on the keeper
Antony – 5. Got on the ball quite a lot but little penetration or end product. Subbed early in the second half.
Hojlund – 6. Didn’t do much but kept going and was rewarded with his goal at the end of the game.
Subs:
Amad (on for Antony on 55′) – 5. A fairly quiet game – not very influential.
McTominay (on for Eriksen on 64′) – 5. Brought some impetus and drive into the centre of midfield.
Amrabat + Wheatley (on for Mainoo and Hojlund on 91′) – N/A
LOOKING AHEAD
It’s another quick turnaround as United welcome strugglers Burnley to Old Trafford on Saturday. Ten Hag will demand another win, and it’s about time we had a decent performance. Hopefully we can cement Europa League football and keep everyone fit for the impending FA Cup Final.
Whilst not a vintage performance, we did win. There was a large dose of schadenfreude to be had last night from some of the teams that didn’t…
