Manchester United will be looking to achieve their first back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time this season as they travel to Bramall Lane on Saturday evening to take on Sheffield United. We currently sit in 10th place and are already eight points behind the league leaders. Whilst our opponents are bottom of the table having not won a league game.
Erik Ten Hag has endured a bumpy start to the new campaign with pressure to get results. The Reds have made their worst-ever start to a league campaign for 34 years seeing four defeats in the opening seven matches. After losing consecutive games at Old Trafford to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray in the Premier League and Champions League respectively, United were looking at another home defeat at the hands of Brentford before the international break. Scott McTominay was the hero as he scored two goals in stoppage time to take all three points in the 2-1 win.
Behind the scenes, there is the ongoing saga with the club ownership that has seen Qatari investor Sheikh Jassim withdraw his offer and Sir Jim Ratcliffe is now in pole position to secure a 25% stake.
United will be looking to close the five-point gap on fourth-place Liverpool and build a good run of form. Our home form has become a cause of concern and is not much better away from Old Trafford as we have been defeated by Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich with only a 1-0 win against Burnley last month. We have not yet claimed consecutive away wins in 2023 but United but will be hoping that’s the case against Sheffield United. The Reds have won the last nine games against the promoted teams as well as each of their last six such matches away from home.
Manchester United Team News
For United, Casemiro has been ruled out with a small injury issue that he sustained whilst on international duty. Also, in the treatment room is Lisandro Martinez (foot), Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka (both muscle), Tyrell Malacia, Amad Diallo (both knee) and Kobbie Mainoo (ankle). Jadon Sancho also remains out after his disagreement with Erik Ten Hag.
Sofyan Amrabat is a potential doubt having withdrawn from the Morocco squad but has been taking part in training. Both Raphael Varane and Sergio Reguilon will be assessed before the game though it is expected that both will make the squad. Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund all scored whilst on international duty and will leading the attacking line against the Blades.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup
Onana; Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Reguilon; Amrabat, McTominay; Fernandes, Mount, Rashford and Hojlund.
Opposition Preview
Sheffield United alongside Bournemouth is one of only two sides not to have secured a victory in the Premier League so far this season. They have picked up just one point in their opening eight games since being promoted from the Championship. Before the international break, the Blades suffered their seventh loss of the season at the hands of Fulham losing 3-1. The match also saw Chris Basham sustain a significant leg injury that is set to keep him out for the remainder of the campaign.
No team that has been promoted has had such a worse start than Sheffield United and if they are defeated on Saturday, it would mark for the first time a top-flight side to only collect one point or less from their first nine games. Manager Paul Heckingbottom has told his players to enjoy the relegation battle and the problems that the Premier League can cause.
The Blades are only three points from safety, which we will give them encouragement that they can try to claw their way up the table. Improvements need to be seen in their defensive record as they have conceded 22 goals from their eight league games with two or more goals conceded in their last seven matches.
Sheffield United have only won two of their ten Premier League games against Manchester United. The first win took place back in the inaugural 1992-93 season when they secured a 2-1 result at Bramall Lane. Their second was back in January 2021 when they came away with an unlikely 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
Sheffield United Team News
Our opponents are without Chris Basham and John Egan who are set to miss the rest of the season. Tom Davies is also out injured for an unspecified injury with no expected return date. Rhys Norrington-Davies, Ben Osborn, Max Lowe, George Baldock and William Osula are all due to return to action from injury but Saturday night’s game will come too soon for them all.
With Basham’s absence, it will likely see Jack Robinson come into the back three alongside Anel Ahmedhodzic and Auston Trusty. Luke Thomas and Jayden Bogle are set to continue as wing-backs. James McAtee and John Fleck will both be hoping for a start in the midfield. Benie Traore will be competing with Oli McBurnie and Cameron Archer to see who leads the attack.
Form Guide
Manchester United Premier League form: WLLWLW
Manchester United (all competitions): LWWLLW
Sheffield United Premier League form: LDLLLL
Sheffield United form (all competitions): LDLLLL
Prediction
Both teams are in need of getting a good result this weekend. The contest will see both defences tested and could see goals at either end of the pitch. The Blades will be relying on the home crowd to push them on but United have more enough in their attacking line to come away with all three points at Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United 1-3 Manchester United
