By Ewan Murray
Manchester United managed a 4-2 win over struggling Sheffield United on Wednesday evening despite twice falling behind at Old Trafford.
Andre Onana's howler handed Sheffield United an opener with ten minutes left of the first half, Jayden Bogle taking advantage to put the Blades ahead. But Harry Maguire grabbed his second goal in two games with a near-post header to equalise before the break.
Ben Brereton Diaz fired the visitors back in front shortly after half-time, but Man Utd found another leveller courtesy of Bruno Fernandes' penalty. The Portugal international then produced a brilliant strike and set one up for Rasmus Hojlund as the hosts eventually sealed all three points.
How the game unfolded
After a difficult weekend at Wembley, Manchester United almost made the dream start to settle the nerves at Old Trafford. Diogo Dalot, who scored in the reverse fixture, saw his floated long-range effort tipped over the crossbar by the returning Wes Foderingham after just 30 seconds.
Alejandro Garnacho was next to test the Sheffield United goalkeeper and could have put Man Utd ahead with 23 minutes played. Some brilliant work from the Argentine created a shooting opportunity from just ten yards out, but he couldn't pick out the corner from close range.
Despite being utterly dominant in the first half, Man Utd found themselves a goal down ten minutes before the break courtesy of a dreadful Onana error. The Cameroon international's weak pass was intercepted by Bogle just outside the penalty area and the full-back strided forward and calmly slotted home to give the Blades the lead against the run of play.
However, the Red Devils did find a response shortly before the half-time whistle as Maguire struck against his former employers. Garnacho's whipped cross was headed goalward by the centre-back, nestling in the far corner to level shortly before stoppage time.
Man Utd should have taken the lead just moments later but Foderingham denied the hosts once again. A long ball over the top was cushioned into Garnacho's path by Dalot but the youngster fired his effort too centrally to beat the Sheffield United stopper.
Garnacho's wastefulness proved costly just six minutes after the restart as Sheffield United stunned the home crowd by taking the lead once again at Old Trafford. A neat move was finished off by Brereton Diaz, who lifted Ben Osborn's accurate cross high above Onana in the Man Utd goal.
But Man Utd showed resolve to produce a second equaliser of the match ten minutes later, with Fernandes stroking home from the penalty spot. Aaron Trusty was found guilty of pulling Maguire down in the penalty area, with the Portuguese showing great composure to fire home an equaliser.
Brereton Diaz had the home fans sweating when his deflected effort whistled inches wide of Onana's post, with Sheffield United beginning to frustrate the hosts as they frantically searched for a winner.
But the persistence of the hosts paid off ten minutes from time and it was a bit of Fernandes magic that saw Man Utd take the lead for the first time. The skipper picked the ball up from 20 yards and placed a lovely left-footed strike beyond Foderingham to spare his side's blushes.
Fernandes then helped Man Utd wrap up the points with five minutes remaining, releasing Hojlund with an inch-perfect pass. The Dane managed to reach it before Foderingham, sliding the ball into the net to earn the Red Devils a hard-fought victory.
Man Utd player ratings (4-2-3-1)
GK: Andre Onana - 4/10 - A terrible error gifted Sheffield United a goal, putting the hosts on the back foot.
RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 6/10 - Solid defensively for the most part but showed his limitations in the Sheffield United half.
CB: Casemiro - 6/10 - Performed admirably in an unusual role and largely kept Sheffield United's forwards quiet when they came near him.
CB: Harry Maguire - 7/10 - A clever near-post header brought Man Utd level after a frustrating first half, while his presence in the area helped the hosts win their second-half penalty.
LB: Diogo Dalot - 7/10 - Offered some threat down the United left, linking up well with Garnacho. Spurned one promising opening just before the hour mark but it was a strong display from the Portuguese.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo - 7/10 - Another lively display from Mainoo, who produced some neat touches in and around the Blades' penalty area.
CM: Christian Eriksen - 6/10 - Didn't look entirely comfortable as one of two holding midfielders, often left to protect the back four.
RM: Antony - 5/10 - Offered very little down the right-hand side outside of the first few minutes and was unsurprisingly withdrawn by Erik ten Hag after the break.
AM: Bruno Fernandes - 9/10 - Typically calm and clinical from the penalty spot and netted a fantastic winner from range. Stepped up when the Red Devils needed him, even grabbing an assist for the fourth.
LM: Alejandro Garnacho - 8/10 - At the heart of everything positive for Man Utd, albeit he should have had a couple of goals to his name in the first half alone. The home fans moved to the edge of their seats when he got on the ball.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund - 6/10 - Not a particularly memorable performance from the forward, but he finally got back on the scoresheet.
Substitutes
SUB: Amad Diallo (55' for Antony) - 6/10
SUB: Scott McTominay (64' for Eriksen) - 6/10
SUB: Sofyan Amrabat (90' for Mainoo) - N/A
SUB: Ethan Wheatley (90' for Hojlund) - N/A
Subs not used: Altay Bayindir (GK), Habeeb Ogunneye, Harry Amass, Louis Jackson, Omari Forson.
Manager
Erik ten Hag - 6/10 - Another strange evening for his side, who dominated the bulk of possession and chances. However, they still made life difficult for themselves, and it was far from convincing in the end.
Sheffield United player ratings (5-3-2)
GK: Wes Foderingham - 7/10 - Tested frequently throughout and produced some really impressive saves to deny Man Utd's forward line. Helpless for all the strikes his side conceded.
RB: Jayden Bogle - 7/10 - Performed admirably up against the tricky Garnacho and even produced a shock opener with some good anticipation and a fine finish.
CB: Mason Holgate - 5/10 - Not the most confident display from Holgate, who was a little rash on a few occasions.
CB: Anel Ahmedhodzic - 6/10 - One key intervention to deny Hojlund but that was his only significant contribution for the Blades.
CB: Auston Trusty - 5/10 - A fantastic tackle to deny Dalot a great goalscoring opportunity, but his clumsiness in the area handed Man Utd their penalty.
LB: Ben Osborn - 6/10 - Kept Man Utd quiet down his left flank and provided a great assist for Brereton Diaz's strike.
CM: Gustavo Hamer - 6/10 - Offered some thrust from midfield and helped set up Sheffield United's second with a nice Cruyff turn and pass.
CM: Ollie Arblaster - 6/10 - Tried to orchestrate play on the rare occasions that Sheffield United had the ball.
CM: Andre Brooks - 5/10 - Barely touched the ball before being hooked at half-time.
ST: Ben Brereton Diaz - 7/10 - A great finish to restore Sheffield United's lead after the break and his physicality did cause a few issues.
ST: Cameron Archer - 6/10 - Did his best with very little service and offered the visitors a bit of pace on the break.
Substitutes
SUB: Vinicius Souza (46' for Brooks) - 6/10 - Put his body about in central areas after his introduction.
SUB: James McAtee (62' for Archer) - 5/10
SUB: Oliver Norwood (77' for Bogle) - 6/10
SUB: William Osula (86' for McAtee) - N/A
Subs not used: Ivo Grbic (GK), Yasser Larouci, Sam Curtis, Owen Hampson, Anis Ben Slimane.
Manager
Chris Wilder - 4/10 - He can be proud of his side's efforts for large periods, but they simply aren't strong enough defensively against quality attackers.
Player of the match: Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Man Utd 4-2 Sheffield Utd: Player ratings as Fernandes magic drags Red Devils through.
