Strange days at fortress United

United are not only defying a partial boycott but are collecting points despite the fact that, again, no forward could find the net.

United have scored 13 PL goals this season but staggeringly only one has come from an attacker.

I had wondered if City scored how on earth United would return fire given the powder-puff finishing of Joelinton, Almiron, and Allan Saint-Maximin but the guys further back in the shooting gallery somehow came good not once but twice. Talk about defying the odds!

To be fair Dwight Gayle did look lively when he was at last given half an hour of action by a previously reluctant Steve Bruce.

With two games now in less than 72 hours at Sheffield United and at home to Southampton the temptation to spread the load must be there, giving Gayle the chance of a start considering the lack of finishing power shown in return for loyalty from United’s chief selector so far this league season.

If Almiron and Maximin can at least make a case for retention on their relentless pace and ability to get United up the park then the more sedate Joelinton has no such plus mark apart from his physical build.

However, let us finish on an upbeat note.

It was terrific to see Martin Dubravka back to his shot-stopping best, his three central defenders fighting like trojans, Willems looking like a loan star worth signing, and Shelvey doing what his does best – threading the ball through the eye of a needle for a late equaliser.