The comeback story of Manchester United has continued as the Red Devils recorded a 3-2 win at Bramall Lane against struggling Sheffield United.
The Blades have only been able to get one point from 13 games, which is in contrast to their last season form where they ended in 8th after their promotion to the top flight.
Apart from this being another comeback victory, Manchester United is now the fourth English top-flight club to record 10 consecutive away league wins, after Spurs (10 between April – October 1960), Chelsea (11 between April – December 2008) and Manchester City (11 between May – December 2017).
Marcus Rashford, who scored a brace in the encounter has scored five Premier League so far this season and all of them have come away from home.
The hosts needed three points as their bad season continues into week 13. They got into the lead five minutes into the game as Dean Henderson, against his former club, gifted forward Oliver Burke a gift, when he blocked his clearance, allowing David McGoldrick to tap in.
They failed to extend their lead after John Fleck missed a glorious chance which proved costly as Solskjaer’s side dominated for much of the match.
Rashford restored parity for the visitors in the 26th minute with a powerful strike from Victor Lindelof’s through ball, leaving Aaron Ramsdale with no chance.
Anthony Martial then ended his 491-minute goal drought when he collected a pass from fellow Frenchman, Paul Pogba and beat Ramsdale at the second attempt.
Rashford then got his brace, which appeared to have made things comfortable for the visitors nine minutes after the break by shooting under the diving Ramsdale following a swift counter-attack.
McGoldrick headed in from a corner for the hosts with three minutes left, to leave Man United under pressure as the hosts look to salvage at least a point from the game. Henderson then made up for his early error by saving Lys Mousset’s shot, giving the Red Devils the maximum point against winless Sheffield.
➕3️⃣
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 17, 2020
🔴 #MUFC
#️⃣ #SHUMUN
🏆 #PL pic.twitter.com/58ZAfNi2fb
Solskjaer excited by United’s ‘brilliant footbal’
Reacting to the outcome of the game, Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised his lads for playing “brilliant football”.
The win moved United to sixth in the Premier League as they maintained their perfect away record in the Premier League this season.
“We played some brilliant football between their first goal and their second goal – the end was a bit too uncomfortable for my liking,” Solskjaer said.
“We never make it easy for ourselves. The start was sloppy and slow, and I’m surprised by this because we showed them videos and it happened again.
“It was a test for Dean after making a mistake like this, but he passed with flying colours.”
Has Manchester United eventually turned the corner after winning against Sheffield United?
After their demotion into Europa League, Man United can at least have a breather till March when the competition resumes by putting more effort on their domestic form.
They have been getting the results away from home but lost key games to Arsenal and Tottenham at Old Trafford and their loss against Turkish champions, Istanbul Basaksehir which initially put Solksjaer’s job at stake.
With the club constantly given their support to the Norwegian, it looks like the patience is paying off gradually as the club keeps getting results away from home on the domestic front.
Now that Manchester United is within a point of fourth-placed Leicester City, it will be a motivating factor to go into their next two fixture against Leeds United (Dec. 20) and Leicester City. These could be potential games that will give them the opportunity into getting into the top four after 14 games.
As they are not lacking goals, it is expected that they take care of free-scoring Leeds as well.
That will have to be done by ensuring that goals come from the likes of Rashford, who will have the opportunity of scoring his first home and Martial who could continue his scoring run, and probably Edison Cavani, who could return to action. The likes of Pogba who won the man of the match and their usual penalty taker, Bruno Fernandes are not left out to raise the bar when the occasion demands it.
Harry Maguire has to be on top of the job by guarding the back line, knowing that Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo will be poaching constantly.
They already know that it won’t be easy as the games will be coming thick and fast. The next ten days will decide how the Red Devils will look heading into the midseason.
