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Family scorers
It has been a long wait for Manchester United to see the best of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial as a couple again this season, but both looked close to their best in a 3-2 win at Sheffield United.
The forwards reached a great understanding last season and in the 28 games they started together they both made an impressive comeback in 11 of them, and between them they scored 45 times in those games.
Both had their best seasons in front of goal, but this season has been slow, especially for Martial, who has struggled to find his best form since being sent off against Tottenham.
This was the 10th game they started together this season and the first time the two were on the roster together. A lot of time has passed.
Rashford has been more consistent this season than Martial and appears well prepared to improve on his record of 22 goals scored last season and was the star man in South Yorkshire. His touch for Victor Lindelof’s long ball tie was as smooth as the inside of a Lindt chocolate at Christmas and his finish was unstoppable.
Martial’s goal was much needed, he had scored only twice this season before that, but he immediately looked more confident after finding the back of the net and he and Rashford were involved in the swashbuckling third goal. Their movement was outstanding.
When United were at their best free-scoring level last season, it was when Rashford and Martial were in shape, so this was an encouraging night.
Solskjaer’s squad goal
If Solskjaer could use a goal to show people his vision for Manchester United, it could well be their third goal at Bramall Lane.
It was a sweeping team move, packed with rhythm in terms of speed of thought and limb speed, and it also included some good moments of individual brilliance. Of course, there was an element of luck at the end when Marcus Rashford’s shot slipped under Aaron Ramsdale, but the preparation for that was wonderful football.
It started with Pogba’s brilliant control and skill and then included excellent cameos from Fernandes, Rashford and Anthony Martial. There were nuances from United’s impressive counterattack goal at Brighton in June in the speed at which they converted an unpromising position into a goal.
A strong position
For the past week, United have seen all their rivals struggle at one stage or another, but the return of four points from this match and the Manchester derby must be seen as a success.
After that slow start, United have settled in this season and, mainly thanks to their away form, are in a very strong position.
Another pair of goals for United in South Yorkshire would have sent them fifth, but they’ll be happy enough to be sixth, especially with that game in hand.
It could be closer to the end of the season than the beginning by the time that game is played, it was at Burnley, but if you consider that United are likely to win it and score all three points, it would actually be second and third. Liverpool’s closest rival. Nobody saw him coming after the 6-1 win that he received at the hands of Tottenham.
Henderson’s character
Those who have worked closely with Dean Henderson say the same thing about the goalkeeper when he makes mistakes, which is great to remember them.
It was a mistake on this ground against Liverpool last season when Chris Wilder gave him some truths at home after the game and Henderson was flawless for the rest of the season. The same happened in the Championship showdown when another footwork error allowed Leeds United to win a crucial match.
This mistake that gave his former club the advantage came very early in the game, giving him more time to gloat, and in a season in which the 23-year-old knows he needs to be close to perfection to challenge. to David de Gea.
Manchester United returned to the path of victory against humble Sheffield United.
Three points were imperative for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team if they wanted to keep in touch with the first. After an early error by Dean Henderson gave the hosts the upper hand, the Reds came back and claimed a major victory.
The victory brought United to sixth place in the Premier League table, just two points behind second-ranked Tottenham and with a game in hand for everyone above.
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But he again showed his strength of character to recover. He spread well to make a good save from David McGoldrick later in the first half and then made a strong pass to Victor Lindelof for the first time when a strong back pass was crossed. Having done nothing in the second half, he reacted well to knock out Lys Mousset in injury time.
It’s fair to point out that De Gea would be heavily criticized if he had made this kind of mistake, and Henderson has to know that’s not good enough at United, but if there’s one thing to get out of the night it’s the way he recovered. that.
Starting slowly
Once again, it was surprising to see how lethargic United was in the first quarter of this game. It happens so often that it has to have a root cause, rather than just an unfortunate trait that will soon be remedied.
In 20 games this season, United have conceded 10 goals in the first 13 minutes of games and have conceded 17 goals in total in the first half of games.
Nor is it just the goals conceded, it is the lack of energy from the first whistle, the lack of intensity in the game. United are taking too long to get into games and while their resilience has been good, they also know that sometimes these slow starts cannot be saved.
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