Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Sharp Rashford brace heaps woes on Blades
MARCUS Rashford’s brace helped comeback kings Manchester United overcome Dean Henderson’s early gaffe at former club Sheffield United and continue their 100% Premier League record on the road.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side kicked off a crucial run of six matches in 16 days in familiar fashion at the beleaguered Blades, where this season’s run of winning away league games after falling behind extended to a sixth match.
Rashford and Anthony Martial turned things around in a first half that started with Henderson inexpiably allowing David McGoldrick to score, with Rashford extending Manchester United’s advantage at the end of a fine team move early in the second half.
But Chris Wilder’s men threatened a stunning late comeback, with McGoldrick netting his second before Henderson made amends for his early error by producing a superb stoppage-time save to deny Lys Mousset and seal a 3-2 win for the visitors.
Manchester United jump to sixth in the standings – just five points behind leaders Liverpool with a game in hand – after last night’s trip to the Blades at Bramall Lane.
Henderson’s error allowed McGoldrick to score and the home team to dream but yet again Solskjaer’s men rallied, with Rashford following a fine touch with a sweet strike before Martial’s first Premier League goal of the season turned the game on its head in the 33rd minute.
Poor goalkeeping from Aaron Ramsdale allowed Rashford to finish a sublime team move early in the second half but the rockbottom Blades did not give up.
McGoldrick’s late goal brought a tense finish that would have ended all square was it not for a superb late save from Henderson.
Meanwhile, wasteful Aston Villa were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by battling Burnley.
The hosts dominated without being at their best but were thwarted by the Clarets, who climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone.
Anwar El Ghazi and Kortney Hause hit the woodwork while Matt Lowton cleared a deflected strike from Ahmed Elmohamady off the line.
Burnley’s threat was limited – Chris Wood having their best chance saved – but Sean Dyche’s side are now unbeaten in three after a tricky run against Everton, Arsenal and Villa.
The Clarets rode their luck as Villa missed the chance to make serious ground on the Premier League’s pacesetters.
They remain 11th, four points adrift of fifth after failing to score – despite having 27 shots.
Villa boss Dean Smith praised Jack Grealish’s focus afterwards.
Villa captain Grealish was banned from driving for nine months and fined £82,499 on Tuesday for two separate driving offences but boss Smith believes he has managed to keep his mind clear.
He said: “A lot was made out of the week he has had but he was in court for two driving offences, nothing more nothing less and he handled it as I expected him to, with aplomb.”