Manchester United survived a scare to secure a 4-2 comeback win over Chris Wilder’s lowly Sheffield United side at Old Trafford. Goals from Bruno Fernandes (2), Harry Maguire and Rasmus Hojlund secured the points for the Red Devils. Here are five things we learnt from the encounter.
Manchester United Survive Scare to Secure Win Against Sheffield United: Five Things We Learnt
Christian Eriksen Is Still An Asset, But Defensively Limited
With limited game time this season and mostly off the bench, the Dane could have been forgiven for thinking he wouldn’t be seeing much more game time in a Manchester United shirt, but the Red Devils injury crisis saw the 32 year old roll back the years alongside Kobbie Mainoo in the midfield in the first half. Given plenty of time and space thanks to the Blades’ low block, the former Ajax, Tottenham and Inter Milan excelled.
Despite a positive first half, Eriksen’s physical decline was on show in the second, losing his man for Sheffield United’s second goal and looking leggy against a buoyed Blades midfield.
Alejandro Garnacho: Always Dangerous, But A Wasteful Finisher
It is no exaggeration to say that the Argentine could (should) have scored at least twice in the first half, his excellent dribbling and ball control engineering two chances that he failed to convert against a superb Wes Foderingham in the Sheffield United goal. An effective winger and one of the Red Devils’ best performers in this turbulent campaign, he needs to tidy up his finishing to reach the next level.
Bruno Fernandes: A Captain’s Performance
Two goals and an assist for the Portuguese showcased just how important he remains to this team, often taking on the creative burden when others around him look incapable of doing so. 24 goals and assists this season, in a dysfunctional and underwhelming side, underline just how crucial Fernandes is to this team, and makes it painful to imagine where it might be without him.
Harry Maguire Continues His (Goalscoring) Form Against Sheffield United
Under fire and seemingly finished at Manchester United at times in the past season or two, the mentality of Harry Maguire to get back into the first team, albeit amid a defensive injury crisis, is nothing short of remarkable. Calm, assured and authoritative tonight, the Sheffield native excelled against his former club, scoring his second goal in as many games to level the contest just before halftime.
United Are So Open And Better Teams Will Continue To Punish Them For It
It’s ominous that Sheffield United, comfortably the worst team in the league, managed ten shots at Old Trafford. Although the Blades didn’t create much, what did they create led to big chances and, crucially, two goals.
Erik ten Hag’s men needed three goals in the final half hour to see off Chris Wilder’s flailing team – and as we learnt in the past few games, better teams would have punished United’s openness.
Manchester United will be at Old Trafford again on Saturday to face another relegation-threatened team – this time Vincent Kompany’s Burnley.
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