Manchester United travel to Bramall Lane to face a struggling Sheffield United outfit who sit bottom of the table after picking up just one point from the opening eight fixtures. It is a must-win for Erik ten Hag’s team and Last Word on Football offers a prediction for the Premier League encounter and analyses where the game might be won or lost from a tactical perspective.
Mount & Maguire Key to Man Utd’s Quest for Three Points at Sheffield United
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Advanced Midfield Players Key to Unlocking Sheffield United Defence
There are many weaknesses in this Blades side even at this early stage of the campaign. They put in a decent showing to pick up a point at home to Everton and put in a spirited performance in defeat at Tottenham but lost 8-0 at home to Newcastle in September. Another defeat to West Ham rounded off September. Wes Foderingham, in goal, has been their best player so far and that speaks volumes of how they have struggled to cope with top-flight football.
It must be anticipated that Paul Heckingbottom will attempt to keep this game tight and stop the Red Devils from scoring for as long as possible while hoping for Oli McBurnie or Cameron Archer to produce a piece of magic on the counter-attack. His preference for a back three will become a back five for the majority of the ninety minutes. However, sitting too deep will create space for the players playing just off the main attacker, likely Rasmus Hojlund.
Mason Mount has come in for criticism as he looks for a role that will help him settle into this side, but this looks like the ideal game for him to take up an advanced midfield role and dictate play in the space between the opposition back four and midfield.
Bruno Fernandes is another player who would excel in this role and giving him more of a free role coming in off the right would offer United another creative spark and a goal threat if the back three of the home side can keep Hojlund quiet.
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Ten Hag’s squad take 5.4 shots per game outside the box on average, the joint fourth-highest in the league, so this could be a potential avenue to opening the scoring this weekend. Mount and Fernandes are both very capable from range, so this could be a key area in breaking down the Blades.
Nullifying Counter-Attack Threat Will Spare Man Utd’s Blushes
It has been clear that stopping opposition teams from punishing them on the counter-attack has been an area that the away side have significantly struggled with this season. The make-up of the midfield and the ever-changing injuries in defence have left the team disjointed and this will be highlighted by Heckingbottom and his staff as they try to secure a result.
It is unknown if there will be a senior left-back fit to start here for the Red Devils but there are concerns about the pace in behind with the current options. Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof could start at centre-back here and while their skillset would suit playing a player with the style of McBurnie, the likes of Archer and Rhian Brewster may cause problems on the break.
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There is a potential way for the manager to negate this even with the current injury list continuing to grow. United will be expected to dominate possession against Sheffield United and having ball-playing defenders who are not sloppy when playing out from the back could help to stifle the threat on the break from the hosts.
Maguire has at times displayed this for club and country but having Scott McTominay drop back to receive the ball and take it forward is another option as his ball-carrying skills are likely the most effective out of the players available this weekend.
The main threat from a creative perspective in this Sheffield side is midfielder Gustavo Hamer who is averaging 1.6 key passes per game. It may be another important role for the Scottish international to take on as the away squad look to avoid a defeat which could have grave consequences for their manager.
Sheffield United v Manchester United Prediction
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It is hard to predict when Sheffield United may pick up a Premier League victory but it should not come against one of the big names this early in the campaign. United need these three points and have an abundance of quality in attacking areas that should give them the edge here.
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However, it cannot be understated the impact playing at home had on teams struggling at the foot of the table. Especially as the away side have yet to truly turn in a performance of note in any way shape or form this season. The first goal will be crucial but we are predicting an away win by more than a single goal.
