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Manchester United’s Premier League title charge looks considerably less credible on Wednesday night, after a shocking 2-1 home loss to Sheffield United in the basement. The Reds struggled to create chances against their well-trained opponents, and were punished by a chaotic defense on either side of Harry Maguire’s header tie.
United controlled possession early on, taking over eighty percent of the stuff in the first quarter of an hour. However, Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side didn’t create much to show their dominance, their only early opportunity came when Marcus Rashford deflected a low cross by Aaron Wan-Bissaka from the edge of the area.
No Premier League team has scored fewer goals than Sheffield United this season, but even they looked more dangerous in attack. Billy Sharp worked some space in the penalty area early on, and David de Gea’s legs had to deny him it.
Midway through the first half, Sheffield United took the lead and came when former Manchester City youth Kean Bryan jumped up to look at a John Lundstram corner inside De Gea’s far post. For the second time in as many league games, United were trailing a relegation fighter, and Sheffield United seemed considerably better able to maintain their lead than Fulham.
Suggestions that Sharp might have fouled De Gea before Bryan headed home became more controversial when Anthony Martial got a United corner home a few minutes later. This time, the referee exploded and awarded Sheffield United a free kick, awarding Maguire a foul on Blades goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in preparation. Replays showed that the decision was quite smooth and, worse, inconsistent.
However, the most pressing problem was that United had done nothing enough to bring down a typically stubborn Sheffield United. The Reds started the second half with more promise, with Mason Greenwood firing off the far post after being impaled by a slide-rule pass from Bruno Fernandes.
It was up to five minutes after the hour, but finally United achieved the tie. It was again the product of a set piece, when Maguire magnificently slid his marker to propel Alex Telles’ floating corner past Ramsdale.
Edinson Cavani was immediately thrown into the fray when Solskjær chased after a winner, but Sheffield United had other ideas. With 15 minutes to go, an inexplicably poor United defense allowed their visitors acres of space on the counterattack, and after several attempts to stab the ball into goal, Oli McBurnie, unmarked, fired a powerful direct shot at Axel. Tuanzebe, who diverted passed from Gea and entered the network.
Donny van der Beek and Luke Shaw were introduced by Tuanzebe and Telles, as United desperately tried to save something. However, Sheffield United held out for their second win of the season so far. Considering Manchester City’s recent 4-0 and 5-0 victories over Crystal Palace and West Brom, respectively, it can’t be helped to conclude that this is the kind of game the champions don’t lose.
