Six In A Row On The Road
By: Rasvinder Singh
Tags: Football, Premier League, Soccer, Manchester United

Manchester United made things difficult for themselves once again in an away match to beat Sheffield United 3–2 at Bramall Lane. Once again, we had to come from behind to win. It was our sixth straight away win of the season, coming from behind to win in all of them. We became the first team in the English Premier League era to score two-plus goals in ten consecutive away games. We have also scored three-plus goals in all our away League matches this season. That is all in terms of positive records and statistics for our current league campaign.

Highlights of Sheffield United vs Manchester United, 2020–21

Another Slow Start To The Game

I laughed when we conceded within the first five minutes of the game. So much for trying to start the game fast. From the start, you could see we were not in the game AT ALL. Sheffield United might have been sitting bottom in the league but they were determined, hungry and aggressive. These traits brought them their first goal when Dean Henderson exemplified our start by dilly-dallying with the ball at his feet. He was closed down by his former team-mate, Oliver Burke and the rest we know what happened.

Sheffield United take the lead through David McGoldrick, Sheffield United vs Manchester United, 2020–21

Goals Change Games

From there on, I felt we could be in for a long night here. We could be embarrassed again this season despite being odds on favourites to win. I remember giving up the game at 0–2 last season and we could be heading in that direction again this season. There were no clearcut chances created and our forwards were getting caught offside. Out of the blue, a moment of quality, Victor Lindelof with the long ball, controlled and finished very well by Marcus Rashford. That was vital for the flow of the match. One-shot on target, one goal and we got back into the game. Goals change games and we have seen how missing a chance has cost us. This time we took the chance and the pendulum of momentum swung in our favour.

Marcus Rashford equalises for Manchester United, Sheffield United vs Manchester United, 2020–21

Great Goals To Wrap It Up

After Marcus Rashford’s goal, we scored two great goals. Paul Pogba gave a great assist for Anthony Martial. Pogba then started the move that led to Rashford’s second. I wanted us to push on and score more to boost our goal difference. Juan Mata came on as a substitute and had a chance that was saved by Aaron Ramsdale. The pivotal moment I felt was when Donny van de Beek didn’t release the ball at the right time for Rashford to run onto unchallenged. His control was unbelievably loose when he had another chance to put Martial through. On both occasions, van de Beek was uncharacteristically poor in possession.

Marcus Rashford scores United’s third, Sheffield United vs Manchester United, 2020–21

Belief In Sheffield United’s Ranks

We couldn’t score our fourth, fifth, sixth goal and that gave Sheffield United confidence that if they scored once, they could rattle us. We lacked composure in our possession to at least see out the game and came under pressure. The pressure told as David McGoldrick got his second off a lucky ricochet from Lindelof’s clearance header. Luckily, we held on to win.

Could We Be Genuine Title Challengers?

The performance was a microcosm of our season. Brilliant in parts but lackadaisical in other moments. Take Bruno Fernandes off and suddenly the team forgets how to assume control of the match. It’s disappointing because his replacement van de Beek had more than enough quality. Pogba had a mixed game I feel. He was involved in two out of our three goals but was guilty of giving possession up easily and getting caught in it. When Fernandes left, he couldn’t lead the team either. We are in an unlikely title tilt. It is like we don’t know how the elephant got up to the top of the tree but we do know that it will fall one day soon. The squad lacks the consistency to be considered serious title challengers. Happy to be proven wrong though.

Paul Pogba had a mixed game, Sheffield United vs Manchester United, 2020–21

*Article 150