RASHFORD’S DOUBLE SAVES ERRATIC UNITED
THIS is turning into an extraordinary season for Manchester United. One step away from a crisis one week and one win away from second place in the Premier League the next. What path Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team take from here will be intriguing to discover.
Against winless and luckless Sheffield United, they were true to recent form. Behind early to a David McGoldrick goal after a shocking howler from goalkeeper Dean Henderson, they were slow, careless and in danger.
But yet again in a Premier League away game they rallied. And once Marcus Rashford had driven them back on terms quite superbly just after the half-hour, they hit upon one of those periods of attack during which they can look unplayable.
Paul Pogba was prominent throughout and he was crucial to goals two and three either side of half-time. His pass to Anthony
Martial in the 33rd minute was beautifully judged, while his spin, turn and pass set United in motion again in the second period — Rashford the scorer once more.
Sheffield United remain game under Chris Wilder, but they are struggling due to a lack of depth and suffered here when Sander Berge pulled a muscle immediately after his team’s goal.
Wilder’s early reshuffle saw Phil Jagielka sent on to play at the back. Unfortunately, he was made to look every one of his 38 years by the speed and dexterity of United’s attacking play — until he was taken off as his team chased the game after the hour.
It would be foolish for the Yorkshire club to get rid of Wilder. He remains their best hope of salvation from this desperate position.
His team did not give up here and scared United a little when McGoldrick scored another soft goal from a corner with four minutes to go.
From there it was quite a tight finish and Henderson redeemed himself a little with a plunging, two-handed save to deny Rhian Brewster what would have been an unlikely equaliser in added time. Forthcoming games against
Brighton, Everton, Burnley, Crystal Palace and Newcastle must yield something significant for the Blades before matches against Tottenham and the two Manchester clubs at the back end of January.
As for Solskjaer and his team, opportunity knocks. Had they been told before the start of the season that they would head towards Christmas in touch with leaders Liverpool, they would not have turned up their noses.
How they have got to this position is unusual. Their football can be unambitious and soporific at times, but devastatingly effective at others.
Often those contrasts occur in the same match. What they need is consistency. If they find that and continue to steer clear of major injuries, they may well finish in the top four. Here, Solskjaer’s selection of Henderson felt odd and proved flawed.
Having spent last season on loan at Bramall Lane, was there really any need to slip him into the team for only his second league start — here of all places?
Only five minutes had gone when the 23-year-old blundered.
Henderson had plenty of time when passed the ball by Harry Maguire, but he took too long to attempt a clearance and, when it was charged down by Oli Burke, McGoldrick scored easily from 10 yards.
Sheffield United could have doubled their lead in the 17th minute only for John Fleck to shoot wide. That, coupled with the injury to Berge, were huge moments in the game and once United found their stride the home team struggled.
The equaliser was a superb goal. Victor Lindelof’s chipped pass found Rashford running off Jagielka’s shoulder and a fabulous first touch to kill the ball was supplemented by a rocket finish with the same right foot.
United immediately went through the gears and the route to goal was often the same — over the top. Pogba found Martial with another such pass and the forward scored after first nudging the ball over goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
The 22-year-old home goalkeeper has struggled since replacing Henderson in the summer and should have saved Rashford’s second goal early in the second half. That said, the build-up through midfield was swift and lovely.
It felt like a canter to the finish line for Solskjaer’s side from that point but Wilder’s team found some of last season’s spirit late on. With four minutes left, Lindelof headed against McGoldrick and in — another dismally sloppy goal — and suddenly United were hanging on.
Henderson’s late save secured the three points and will make him feel a little better. It will be a shock, however, if he plays on Sunday against Leeds.