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There is a paradox at the heart of the seemingly wildly unpredictable and peculiar Manchester United of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer; in fact, they are the most consistent team in the Premier League.
They are not consistently good, to be clear. But they are consistent. At home, a mess. However, make a single convincing performance. Deservedly beaten by Crystal Palace, beaten in a seminal Spurs shame. Sadly passive in fearful and fearful stagnations against Chelsea and City and in a Defeat Arsenal 1-0 (Arsenal!). Totally unconvincing in the 1-0 win over West Brom.
But away from home? Away from home is where the magic happens. United comes to life on the road, and Bramall Lane right now is as attractive a distant land as you could wish to visit. Arguably the field and the association team most dramatically affected by the absence of fans, Sheffield United is also dramatically affected at the moment by not being able to complete the most rudimentary defensive tasks or in any way trust their goalkeeper.
That was a double talking point here, because Solskjaer, a great student of narrative that he is, chose this game to take the plunge and throw Dean Henderson into goal instead of David De Gea. Obviously, on the ground where Henderson built his reputation with a couple of near-flawless seasons, first in the promo season and then in last year’s staggering improvement, it only took him five minutes to make the worst mistake he’s ever made here. Henderson was mugged by Oli Burke and David McGoldrick gratefully accepted a gift that lands perfectly in Early Christmas Present territory. Ho Ho Ho.
This, of course, was predictable not only because of the sod law, but because this is also what United does. They win all their away games, but also fall behind in all their away games first. Just to make it more fun. Six wins away from home on the rebound is extraordinary enough for a team that remains somewhat below the elite; six wins away from behind on the rebound is just absolute sauce. You can’t help but love him.
Especially since the comeback shape is always great. United’s four forwards, Anthony Martial, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, especially Rashford, and Mason Greenwood, bubbled and buzzed around the field with threat at all times. Paul Pogba decided to have one of his good days.
Rashford’s draw was a beautiful thing, his exquisite touch and instant finish almost as good as forcing the government to do two shameful U-turns in six months.
Anthony Martial then came to the end of a Pogba pass and had a bit of luck before stabbing home. The third and seemingly decisive goal was the result of a lightning break that featured one of the last tackles ever witnessed, Phil Jagielka cutting Mason Greenwood moments before Rashford shot under Aaron Ramsdale. Jagielka’s appearance from the bench as an early replacement for the paralyzed Sander Berge was a major setback for the Blades right after their spectacular start, and gave United the lead back. Yet another Ramsdale mistake confirmed that the biggest difference between this season and the previous one is the goalkeeper, with more evidence when Henderson kept the points after United had let Sheffield United come back in because of course they had.
Based on this evidence, Sheffield United could do worse than considering trading Jagielka and Ramsdale. His second goal was a nervous ending and, unlike Southampton, Chris Wilder certainly cannot have complaints that his team gave up. But they seem totally unsuitable for the Premier League and are now off to the worst start in the top flight ever. At least they seem to be taking the sensible route of accepting that the descent is now almost inevitable and that Wilder remains the man most likely to make it back up. Beyond that, there isn’t much more to say.
But what about United? This wildly inconsistent consistency surely can’t get them to the title even this season, but it can take them a long way. There are other things at stake, but one obvious reason playing away suits them is that deadly counter-attack threat seen so often here. But the Spurs have shown that it is still perfectly possible to implement those tactics at home, so it remains a mystery why United is so incapable of doing so.
This was another hugely impressive, if a bit unnerving, away win for Ole’s men, but they really need to tidy up that form of home. Logic demands it, but also the list of parties. Three of his next five are at home and the other two in Leicester and Liverpool. Even this group can’t get away with giving up the head start on those two, surely.
Dave tickner
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