Older brotherTaking the lead after Andre Onana’s mistake, Man Utd had to rely on late goals to beat Sheffield 4-2 in the compensation match of round 29 of the Premier League.
After allowing First Division team Coventry to concede three goals in the FA Cup semi-finals last week, Man Utd’s defense continued to play poorly upon returning to the Premier League. Sheffield averaged less than one goal per match in the tournament, but still twice forced Andre Onana into the net to pick up the ball. It wasn’t until the end of the match that Man Utd took the lead thanks to two goals and an assist from captain Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes celebrates the goal to increase the score to 3-2 against Sheffield, at Old Trafford on April 24. Image: Reuters
The first half saw Man Utd’s overwhelming position, with 83% ball control and 17 shots, of which seven hit the goal. The clearest opportunity belonged to Alejandro Garnacho, who could not beat goalkeeper Wesley Foderingham despite having a lot of time to contemplate before shooting in the penalty area.
A few minutes after Garnacho’s miss, Man Utd conceded according to a scenario that happened many times early in the season. Goalkeeper Onana failed to pass, allowing Jayden Bogle to steal the ball and then score to open the score for Sheffield.
Onana was disappointed after a mistake led to a goal at Old Trafford on April 24. Image: Reuters
Man Utd was still able to equalize in the first half, thanks to an attack by Harry Maguire. The England international headed the ball skillfully into the far corner, from Garnacho’s cross.
Sheffield did not have many opportunities in this match but took advantage of them very well. The bottom team took the lead again at the beginning of the second half, when Ben Brereton Diaz scored a one-touch shot into Onana’s net in the 50th minute. But after each goal, the away team could not keep the advantage for long.
10 minutes later, Man Utd equalized 2-2 from Bruno Fernandes’ penalty kick, after Harry Maguire was pulled down at the corner by defender Austin Trusty. Even though they couldn’t take advantage of the excitement after this goal to pressure their opponents, Man Utd still had what they needed in the last 10 minutes of the official match. Fernandes’ long-range shot with his non-dominant foot sent the ball straight into Sheffield’s net in the 81st minute, before the Portuguese maestro completed a brilliant day by assisting Hojlund to seal the victory four minutes later.
Hojlund (No. 11) scored from close range, sealing a 4-2 victory for Man Utd at Old Trafford. Image: Reuters
For the first time in the Premier League this season, Man Utd scored four goals at home. The 4-2 victory brought them to sixth, one place higher than Newcastle – the team that lost 0-2 at Crystal Palace. Erik ten Hag’s teachers and students will strive for a place in the Europa League or Conference League, in a context where the hope of participating in the Champions League is almost gone.
As for Sheffield, they are counting down the day of relegation when they are 10 points behind the safety group. Chris Wilder and his team are also the first team to concede more than 90 goals in a season since the Premier League had 20 teams.
Squad
Man Utd: Onana, Diogo Dalot, Casemiro, Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Mainoo (Amrabat 90+1), Eriksen (McTominay 64), Antony (Diallo 55), Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund (Wheatley 90+1)
Sheffield: Foderingham, Ahmedhodzic, Holgate, Trusty, Bogle (Norwood 78), Hamer, Brooks (Souza 46), Arblaster, Osborn, Brereton, Archer (McAtee 62 – Osula 87)
Vy Anh
