BBC Sport - 4/25/2024 1:07:59 AM - GMT (+4 )
Manchester United's chaotic high-scoring form continued at Old Trafford as they twice came from behind to overcome spirited Sheffield United at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund struck in the final nine minutes to ensure the win.
Manchester United captain Fernandes followed up an excellent pinpoint 25-yard drive by hooking back the cross five minutes from time that allowed Hojlund to score his first goal since February.
As in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Coventry, it was a favourable outcome in the end for under-pressure manager Erik ten Hag.
But there are some staggering statistics to go with their recent results. In total, 27 goals have now been scored in their past five games. They have conceded and scored at least two in all of them.
In entertainment terms, it is sensational. However, there is zero sense of structure and it can only be wondered what new technical director Jason Wilcox made of it as he watched his first game in the Old Trafford directors' box since his appointment was confirmed last week.
After railing against the media the day before the game, labelling coverage of the Coventry match "embarrassing" and "a disgrace", Ten Hag's team failed to follow up by convincing on the pitch.
Without a win since February and with only three in the league all season, Sheffield United led twice, through Jayden Bogle in the first half and Ben Brereton Diaz in the second.
The home side levelled each time, courtesy of Harry Maguire's deft header and Fernandes' penalty.
And Manchester United eventually claimed the points to move back into sixth spot.
More to follow.
Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Rating range key1 = Give it up10 = Pure perfection
Starting XI
- Squad number24Player nameOnanaAverage rating
4.28
- Squad number29Player nameWan-BissakaAverage rating
4.73
- Squad number18Player nameCasemiroAverage rating
4.51
- Squad number5Player nameMaguireAverage rating
6.27
- Squad number20Player nameDiogo DalotAverage rating
5.22
- Squad number37Player nameMainooAverage rating
5.92
- Squad number14Player nameEriksenAverage rating
4.84
- Squad number21Player nameAntonyAverage rating
3.62
- Squad number8Player nameBruno FernandesAverage rating
5.80
- Squad number17Player nameGarnachoAverage rating
5.75
- Squad number11Player nameHøjlundAverage rating
5.69
Substitutes
- Squad number4Player nameS AmrabatAverage rating
5.35
- Squad number16Player nameDialloAverage rating
5.61
- Squad number39Player nameMcTominayAverage rating
6.30
- Squad number84Player nameWheatleyAverage rating
6.69
Starting XI
-
Squad number18Player nameFoderingham
Average rating7.09
-
Squad number30Player nameHolgate
Average rating6.57
-
Squad number15Player nameAhmedhodzic
Average rating6.66
-
Squad number5Player nameTrusty
Average rating6.58
-
Squad number20Player nameBogle
Average rating7.05
-
Squad number8Player nameHamer
Average rating7.33
-
Squad number24Player nameArblaster
Average rating7.07
-
Squad number35Player nameBrooks
Average rating6.80
-
Squad number23Player nameOsborn
Average rating6.77
-
Squad number10Player nameArcher
Average rating6.97
-
Squad number11Player nameBrereton
Average rating7.02
Substitutes
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Squad number16Player nameNorwood
Average rating5.56
-
Squad number21Player nameVinicius Souza
Average rating6.53
-
Squad number28Player nameMcAtee
Average rating6.42
-
Squad number32Player nameOsula
Average rating5.55
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 24Onana
- 29Wan-Bissaka
- 18Casemiro
- 5Maguire
- 20Dalot
- 37MainooSubstituted forS Amrabatat 90+1'minutes
- 14EriksenSubstituted forMcTominayat 64'minutes
- 21AntonySubstituted forDialloat 55'minutes
- 8Bruno Fernandes
- 17Garnacho
- 11HøjlundSubstituted forWheatleyat 90+1'minutes
- 1Bayindir
- 4S Amrabat
- 16Diallo
- 39McTominay
- 62Forson
- 70Amass
- 75Ogunneye
- 78Jackson
- 84Wheatley
Formation 3-5-2
- 18Foderingham
- 30HolgateBooked at 37mins
- 15Ahmedhodzic
- 5Trusty
- 20BogleSubstituted forNorwoodat 78'minutes
- 8Hamer
- 24Arblaster
- 35BrooksSubstituted forde Souza Costaat 45'minutes
- 23Osborn
- 10ArcherSubstituted forMcAteeat 62'minutesSubstituted forOsulaat 87'minutes
- 11Brereton
- 13Grbic
- 16Norwood
- 21de Souza Costa
- 25Ben Slimane
- 27Larouci
- 28McAtee
- 29Curtis
- 32Osula
- 44Hampson
- Referee:
- Michael Salisbury
- Attendance:
- 73,549
Match ends, Manchester United 4, Sheffield United 2.
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