MAN UNITED 1, SHEFF UNITED 2
A WhatsApp message was delivered declaring ‘foregone conclusion’ when I informed a footie mad friend I was at Old Trafford.
Perhaps the Manchester United players were in the same mindset as they welcomed bottom-club Sheffield United who pulled off a seismic victory in the Premier League title race.
United, knocked off top spot the previous night by neighbours City, saw their title hopes dealt a huge setback as they suffered a sixth home loss of the season, four coming in the league.
It was something manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had feared when conducting his post-match interviews following the epic Emirates FA Cup win against Liverpool.
“Ask me after Sheffield United,” was the Norwegian’s response when asked about his side’s title credentials.
It was a case of after the Lord Mayor’s Show after Sunday’s sparkling champagne display – this was beer as flat as if it had been left in a glass for the last three days.
And it was Kean Bryan, a player who learned his trade at City, who set United on the road to a painful defeat as the Blades won at Old Trafford for the first time since 1973.
It was only Bryan’s 10th appearance for the Blades and his first goal for the left back who has played most of his football during two lengthy loan spells at Oldham Athletic.
There was also a first Premier League goal for Oliver Burke as the Blades won for only a second time in 20 league games. And despite this victory, they remain cut adrift by 10 points from safety.
This was only the second time they had scored twice in a league match and both have been against United who suffered a first league loss in 14 games and almost three months since Arsenal left as victors on November 1.
Embed from Getty ImagesSolskjaer said: “We had all the possession but when you concede two bad goals it’s always going to be difficult. We didn’t create big enough chances to score enough goals.
“That magic was missing, that little bit extra. They defended well, fair play to them but we didn’t have the right ideas or solutions. The first goal is a foul, Billy Sharp runs into David de Gea. At the other end, no foul for the disallowed goal for us but it’s that kind of season. Two mistakes by the referee.
“It wasn’t to be, the second goal we conceded is so poor, so sloppy, easy. We stopped getting out to the ball, three or four bad decisions which is out of character.
“There will be no big inquest. There have been so many odd results this season but, with the world as it is, we have been the most consistent team. It hit us today.”
Captain Harry Maguire added: “It wasn’t good enough. We didn’t play to the level we have in recent weeks. We gave them two goals, now it’s time to stand up and be counted because it’s easy when you are winning football matches – when you lose it is about how quickly you bounce back.
“We started the game in full control. We have to do more. We made it hard for ourselves, got ourselves back in it and you can’t lose it from there.
“We knew at half time the next goal would be crucial, we had great belief we could do that again We weren’t good enough tonight and didn’t play to a level we expect from ourselves.”
An elated Sheffield manager Chris Wilder said: “There’s not been many moments for us this season. The players are jumping about in there and they have every right to.
“It’s been a tough old season, but I’ll bring them back down to earth tomorrow. It’s a great result and I’m delighted for the players because they’ve been through a lot.
“It’s a long time to wait for a win at Old Trafford and it’s a special result, and a special performance. We’ve talked about big moments and this is one with a touch of luck with the winning goal.
“We have to play near perfect from our point of view against world class players and a team that is flying high.
“All season we have had pretty tight games and not come out the right side, we took our big moments, the second goal was a huge moment for us.
“We’re always going to be on the back foot here, but we’re aggressive, competitive. You have to be good with the ball and I thought we were. You can’t sit back and hope to get a result. To score two goals at a place like this is special for the boys.
“I’m not saying an incredible escape is on, but I want to show what we are about.”
United made six changes to the side that beat Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday, perhaps too many as it clearly affected the fluency of the performance which was disjointed.
David de Gea returned in goal and there was a start at the back for Axel Tuanzebe with Bruno Fernandes returning to the side and Alex Telles, Nemanja Matic and Anthony Martial all getting starts.
Marcus Rashford was also fit to start after suffering a knock to the knee in the last game.
Dean Henderson, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay, Donny van de Beek and Edinson Cavani dropped out.
Sheffield made four changes to the side that beat Plymouth in the FA Cup on Saturday.
George Baldock, Jagielka, Bryan and David McGoldrick returned with Jayden Bogle, John Egan, Enda Stevens and Rhian Brewster dropping out.
United had an early injury scare when Anthony Martial fell awkwardly after a challenge from Phil Jagieka and hurt his shoulder but was able to continue after lengthy treatment.
Rashford had the first chance of the game in the 11th minute rolling a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box following a cross by Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
United enjoyed 83 per cent possession but were caught on the counter when Billy Sharp was put clean through after quarter of an hour only for De Gea to save the day blocking well with his outstretched leg.
That did not serve as a warning as the Blades took a 23rd minute lead when Bryan managed to divert John Fleck’s corner past De Gea in a crowded six-yard box as it went in off the upright.
It was only left back Bryan’s 10th appearance for the Blades and fourth in the Premier League and this was his first goal for the club.
Amazingly it was the first Premier League goal the Blades had scored at Old Trafford since February 1993 when Franz Carr netted in a 2-1 defeat.
Martial had the ball in the net but the goal was disallowed for a foul by Maguire on goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale following an aerial challenge.
It was not happening for United against a well organised visiting side as Solskjaer already had his substitutes warming up.
United should have been level within four minutes of the restart when Mason Greenwood was put clear by Fernandes but pulled his shot horribly wide, a miss that mirrored their night.
But out of nowhere came the Reds’ 64th minute equaliser when Maguire headed home Telles’ corner from 10 yards, his fifth goal for the club and first at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer sent on Edinson Cavani for Greenwood midway through the half in pursuit of new attacking ideas that had been lacking.
Just when you thought the momentum was swinging United’s way, Sheffield snatched a 74th minute goal that summed up their abject display.
United had ample opportunities to clear danger but failed to do so as substitute Burke’s shot deflected off Tuanzebe and went in off the underside of the crossbar, only his second goal of the season.
Solskjaer brought on Shaw and van de Beek with 10 minutes left as Telles and Tuanzebe made way with Matic dropping into the back line, but it was to no avail as the Blades comfortably held on for a memorable victory.