In a 4-2 comeback victory for Erik ten Hag‘s struggling team, Bruno Fernandes delivered a captain’s performance to spare Manchester United’s blushes against relegation-level Sheffield United.
After suffering through an agonizing victory to Championship team Coventry in the FA Cup semi-final three days prior, the Red Devils struggled against a team that will compete in the second division the next season.
In the fire, The hosts’ Premier League losing streak of four games came to an end thanks to a double from Fernandes, although Ten Hag’s team had to fight back twice against Chris Wilder’s doomed Blades. This put them in sixth place.
What Happened?
With 83 percent of the possession and 11 attempts, the hosts had gotten off to a strong start. But, Jayden Bogle took advantage of an Andre Onana mistake to open the score in front of a surprised Stretford End.
Harry Maguire promptly tied the score with his former team, but early in the second half, Ben Brereton Diaz gave the Blades the lead again.
The Blades gave up their 90th goal of the season, the most in a 38-game Premier League season, as Fernandes equalized for the hosts from the penalty spot. More goals were to come.
The captain of United scored a goal from 25 yards out in the 81st minute and then set up Rasmus Hojlund for another four minutes later.
The Blades made four changes on a night when youthful Oliver Arblaster was given the captaincy for the first time, and they made two changes from their shoot-out victory over Coventry.
Among those hauled in was Wes Foderingham, who put on a strong performance that began with him deftly blocking a hopeful long-range attempt by Diogo Dalot.
The second quarter started out strongly for the hosts, but Blades’ hysteria was ignited by Brereton Diaz’s slam of a cutback by Ben Osborn.
Even though it was yet another gut punch, the home team prevailed.
The Blades defender was penalized for touching Maguire in the box after Dalot hesitated and Auston Trusty’s excellent defense kept the full-back from taking a shot.
Before the ball entered the net, referee Michael Salisbury blew for a spot-kick; Fernandes had to advance to smash past Foderingham.
The beleaguered visitors kept up their pressure, as Brereton Diaz’s effort went just wide off Maguire’s body before he saw his goal-bound attempt stopped.
In the 81st minute, Fernandes raised the roof with a booming 25-yard drive that sailed into the upper corner, exemplifying his tenacity.
Shortly after, Hojlund scored a close-range goal from Fernandes’ cross, demonstrating both relief and joy.
Even by United’s recent erratic standards, the outcome was all but certain, so Ten Hag gave 18-year-old Ethan Wheatley his first team debut, making him the 250th academy graduate to do so.
