- Bruno Fernandes scored twice to help his team win 4-2 at home against Sheffield United on Wednesday to boost United’s top 6 chances.
Bruno Fernandes scored twice to help his team win 4-2 at home against Sheffield United on Wednesday to boost United’s top 6 chances.
Before Andre Onana’s disastrous pass set up Jayden Bogle for the Blades’ opening goal in the 35th minute, the Red Devils had to fight hard to get as many points as possible and lament several wasted opportunities in the first half.
Ben Brereton Diaz gave Sheffield United the lead again five minutes after the interval, but Harry Maguire tied the score against his old team right before the half. But Bruno Fernandes saved Man United, turning the tide of the match with three goal contributions in the last thirty minutes.
The captain of the Red Devils scored a goal from the penalty spot, added a goal from 25 yards out to bring his goal total for the season to 15, and finished off a fantastic performance by setting up a superbly weighted assist for Rasmus Hojlund to score from close range.
How the game unfolded
Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund. Photo/ United In Focus
In the opening thirty seconds, Foderingham pushed over a long-range curling attempt by Diogo Dalot, who was making his 150th appearance for the Red Devils, almost giving Man United the ideal start.
Alejandro Garnacho, who was a constant down the left flank and could have opened the score with perhaps the greatest chance of the hosts midway through the first half, ended up taking most of the Red Devils’ opportunities as they dominated possession.
The Argentine made a burst run and a beautiful interchange inside the area before delaying his shot and firing to Foderingham’s left, where the defender did a great job of getting down to palm the ball away from danger.
From within his six-yard box, Onana tried to pick out Dalot with a straightforward pass across the pitch, but the charging Bogle tucked in well to intercept and push ahead along the right channel before finishing calmly at the near post.
However, the Red Devils equalized three minutes before halftime thanks to a curling cross from Garnacho on the left, which Maguire met with a glancing header that slipped into the far corner. It was Maguire’s second goal in as many home games against his former team, Sheffield United, having previously found the net in a 2-1 loss in January 2021. Sheffield United was unable to take the lead at halftime.
Five minutes after the break, Sheffield United’s strong start in the second half was rewarded with a goal. When Ben Osborn and Gustavo Hamer combined down the left, Dalot was unable to clear his lines. Brereton Diaz scored a first-time finish from about eight yards out after Osborn’s superbly weighted pass to him.
After a short while, Blades substitute Vinicius Souza poked the ball into his own net while defending a corner, giving United another chance to tie the score. However, moments earlier, referee Michael Salisbury blew his whistle to award the hosts a penalty after Maguire was hauled to the ground by Trusty.
Fernandes stepped up and unleashed a powerful 12-yard strike to send Foderingham the wrong way.
Rasmus Hojlund scored against Sheffield United. Photo/ The Sun
In the 67th minute, Brereton Diaz appeared to have given Sheffield United the lead again, but his long-range attempt ricocheted off Maguire and missed Onana’s right-hand post by a tiny margin.
Nine minutes from time, a stroke of magic from Fernandes proved pivotal, although both teams were carrying a danger and fancied their chances of scoring a late winner.
Fernandes received the ball from the right, went inside, and blasted a breathtaking 25-yard effort into the top corner; while Trusty’s head slightly deflected the shot, Foderingham had no chance.
Three minutes later, Fernandes became Hojlund’s provider as he tucked a ball into the path of his Danish colleague to slide home a fourth goal and complete a crucial win for Ten Hag and Man United.
The Red Devils will now focus on their next encounter, which is scheduled for this Saturday, against Burnley, a team that is in danger of relegation, while Sheffield United will play their next game against Newcastle at St. James’ Park.
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