Ole Gunnar Solskjer has been keen to give minutes and experience to some of the best Manchester United youngsters this season. His faith in two of them was repaid this evening as Brandon Williams and Mason Greenwood were central to their stunning comeback against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Manchester United Youngsters Star in Stunning Comeback
Stepping Up When Needed
The Red Devils looked down and out after ten minutes of the second half had elapsed. Chris Wilder’s Blades were already leading by a goal at the break after John Fleck had poked them in front, but it got worse for the visitors when Lys Mousset broke away and curled in a second.
However, the eight minutes of mayhem began when 19-year-old Williams scored his first for the club on 72 minutes. A cross into the box wasn’t fully dealt with by Sheffield United, and Williams was left unmarked to rifle into the far corner.
The equaliser came within five minutes for United when a perfect ball into the box from Marcus Rashford was tucked home by Greenwood, and Rashford himself completed the stunning turnaround when he rifled home on the counter.
VAR Saves the Blades
It was harsh on Sheffield United, as prior to that horror spell, they had torn Solskjaer’s side to shreds with a typical workmanlike performance that they have become synonymous for under Chris Wilder.
Their hard work and dedication in the first half was there to see and it brought about a huge reward for them, although it won’t be without its controversy.
Callum Robinson teased a cross into the box after twisting away from the United defence and it dropped to Oli McBurnie, whose volley deflected past David De Gea by way of the post too. The goal was subject to a lengthy VAR check after the visitors claimed a handball by McBurnie as it came down, but officials at Stockley Park allowed the goal to stand.
Problems Continue for Manchester United
Although it could have been far worse for Manchester United, there were still plenty of problems that they will need to reflect on. Phil Jones was bullied out of the way by Mousset to set up the opening goal for Fleck, and his first-half performance along with Harry Maguire, making his return to Bramall Lane, left a lot to be desired. For Jones, at least, it resulted in him making way for Jesse Lingard at the break.
In midfield, well, what midfield? Sheffield United were completely dominant in that department, largely aside from that eight-minute spell in which the visitors managed to blitz three goals. Andreas Pereira and Fred were non-existent in comparison to the midfield three of John Lundstram, Oliver Norwood and Fleck for the Blades.
That limited what United were able to create going forward. Dan James and Anthony Martial were kept quiet by the firm back three of Chris Basham, Jack O’Connell and Phil Jagielka, making his first Sheffield United appearance since May 2007. The mad eight minutes has certainly saved it from being a much worse evening for the visitors, and the Manchester United youngsters may have kept their manager in a job for a little while longer.
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