Image Source. | Licence Details.
United had only one job and that is to win and go back to the top of the league but they failed horribly at it. They played too slowly. They can't get behind the blades' defence and the blades' defended resolutely while making good runs for the counter-attack.
Who would have imagined United struggling against a team who has been in 20th position for a long time and United's 13 games unbeaten in the league came to an end and they missed the chance to go back to the top.
United dominated possession in every aspect of the game but they didn't make any of it count at any time and their ability to come from behind again was tested and they failed at it.
Rashford found Greenwood in the 11th minute, who in turn found Aaron Wan Bissaka who later found Rashford too in the box but his placement went just marginally wide. He should have scored there and he easily beat the goalkeeper.
In the 16th minute, Sharp ran the length of the field only for De Gea to expertly save with his leg even though Sharp was later ruled for offside. Immediately after that, Greenwood was put through but he took the ball too wide just to be able to round off the goalkeeper. The threat was nullified as he couldn't have much touch on the ball to cause any real threat again.
Sheffield United showed their flashes of brilliance and that was the early warning signs for United which of course they didn't heed to.
In the 23rd minute, Sheffield took the lead. It was Kean Bryan who nodded home from close range after a brilliant cross from the corner which was taken by John Fleck. I felt De Gea should have done better there. De Gea would have to wait after this match to keep his 150th clean sheet. United always have to do it the hard way but this time, they failed at it.
United have taken 21 points from being 1 goal down but they have all been away games and not at home. This was new territory at home and they didn't live up to the billing. De Gea has only conceded twice in 5 games before now but he shipped in two already tonight.
In the 27th minute, Greenwood had a shot comfortably saved. He was trying to reduce the deficit by every means possible and just a minute after, he had another shot deflected for a corner after Wan Bissaka's ball to him. That was United's first corner of the night but the corner failed to produce the same result it gave to Sheffield United.
Martial scored in the 30th minute but it was chalked off after the referee adjudged Maguire to have impeded the goalkeeper in the build-up. I felt it was a fair challenge though but the referee ruled it out.
In the 41st minute, Telles brilliantly found Bruno Fernandes who then found Anthony Martial with a one time ball only for Martial to miss his effort by heading far above the post.
Tuanzebe took Fleck out in the 47th minute and a freekick was awarded but nothing came out of it. Tuanzebe had a night to forget because he was culpable for the two goals Sheffield United scored on the night. He was caught napping.
The half time ended with the Blades on the advantage.
Fernandes found Greenwood in the 49th minute but he couldn't get the far corner he was hoping on and it went wide. United also got their first corner of the second half when Wan Bissaka's shot was deflected for a corner kick.
McGoldrick almost produced a moment of magic when in the 56th minute he tried to find the top corner with the outside of his foot. Even though it went wide, it was good thinking from him as no one even knows he would produce that. Just a minute after, Maguire quickly turned away to keep McGoldrick offside. He still went and he was one on one with De Gea yet he blasted it over. Offside was given.
Sheffield United had another corner on the night in the 59th minute but Nemanja Matic came to the rescue as he headed it to safety. And 2 minutes after, Martial drew a foul and a free-kick was given. Rashford took it but it was straight at the goalkeeper. A minute after too, United was awarded another free-kick when Fernandes was fouled. He took the free-kick but the defence line deflected it for a corner kick.
In the 64th minute, Telles found Maguire and what a goal that was. He expertly nodded it home while Phil Jagielka couldn't do anything about it. Game on, 1-1.
Cavani came on for Greenwood and in the 69th minute, Cavani couldn't get enough touch on the ball after Pogba's low drive cross found him but in the 74th minute, Sheffield United broke the heart of Manchester United, even more, when De Gea softly kicked a ball rather than to safety. Oliver Burke released his shot only for Tuanzebe to deflect into the net after the crossbar helped it in. United was sloppy and it was unexpected from them.
Telles quickly had a snap shot that deflected for a corner. The corner kick was taken but Pogba could only head wide.
Poor touch let Cavani down in the box in the 79th minute and just 3 minutes after, Cavani had another chance but he blasted it over. It could have gotten worse for United when Burke raced towards goal. It was a moment of class from Matic to stop that attack.
United threw all the can to get a point at least but it was not meant to be. They stay in the second position, just one point adrift of City who still has a game in hand and Leicester is just one point behind too. What a title race it is.
Job done by Sheffield United and I can say that this was the much-needed lift they need. They still stay in the 20th position but this is good for their confidence going forward as they would be playing with Manchester City next. It is going to be a cracker but I except City with all their attacking prowess to win. Fingers crossed.
This Post First Appeared Here.
Thank you for your time.
My pen doesn't bleed, it speaks, with speed and ease.
Still me,
My tongue is like the pen of a ready writer.
Olawalium; (Love's chemical content, in human form). Take a dose today: doctor's order.
