Sheffield United search for their first win of the season as they host out-of-form Manchester United at Bramall Lane in the Premier League this Saturday.
The Blades have picked up just one point so far this campaign with pressure mounting on manager Paul Heckingbottom, while Erik ten Hag’s injury-riddled Manchester United sit five points from the Champions League places in 10th.
Here’s all you need to know about this weekend’s clash.
Sheffield United vs Manchester United – Premier League Match Preview:
Form
Sheffield United: DLLLL
The team at the foot of the Premier League boast the worst defence in the division, conceding 22 goals in eight games, a stat harmed by their humiliating 8-0 defeat at home to Newcastle.
To compile their misery, only Bournemouth (5) have scored fewer goals than the Blades (6), who sit on one point after a 2-2 draw at home to Everton, three points from safety.
The Yorkshire club were on the losing side against Fulham at Craven Cottage last time out. Bobby Decordova-Reid opened the scoring after 53 minutes for Fulham, before an Antonee Robinson own goal levelled the game.
The Blades had some misfortune of their own when a Tom Cairney strike hit goalkeeper Wes Foderingham on the back and found the net, before Willian added a third for Fulham in injury time.
Chris Basham suffered a horrific ankle injury during the game and will be out long-term, as is fellow centre-back John Egan. Tom Davies could return to the squad.
An update this morning from Chris Basham on Instagram. ❤️
“Had my two surgery’s done now and I can’t thank the surgeons enough for the fast response to me, the first surgery was for cleaning up the wound I suffered and dislocation, the second surgery was to repair the ligaments… pic.twitter.com/LUiMaRBjL4
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) October 12, 2023
Manchester United: WWLLW
A disjointed Manchester United side had to be saved by super-sub Scott McTominay in added time against Brentford in their last fixture before the international break.
The Bees took the lead at Old Trafford on 26 minutes through midfielder Mathias Jensen’s left-footed strike, which squirmed under Andre Onana in the United goal. Scotland international McTominay fired home from inside the area to peg Brentford back in the 94th minute, thinking he’d earned his team a point.
Four minutes later, he’d step up again, heading home a Harry Maguire flick on to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
💬 “Wearing the United shirt… it’s different.”
As Saturday’s celebrations showed, representing the Reds means everything to @McTominay10 ❤️🔥#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 9, 2023
Before the Bees game, United had recorded back-to-back losses in all competitions. A 3-2 Champions League defeat at home to Galatasaray left them rooted to the bottom of Group A, already four points behind the Turkish outfit in second.
Erik ten Hag’s men are in the middle of an injury crisis, but could welcome back key defenders Raphael Varane and Sergio Reguillon. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez all remain out.
Last meeting
Manchester United 1-2 Sheffield United, January 27th 2021
The ‘COVID’ season sprung some big Premier League shocks and among of them was when title-challengers Manchester United faced rock-bottom Sheffield United in an empty Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men needed a win to go top of the Premier League in a title race that consisted of both Manchester clubs and Leicester, while a win for the Blades would have taken them to within 10 points of safety.
Kean Bryan opened the scoring for the Yorkshire outfit with a first-half header before former Red Devils captain Harry Maguire scored against his former club with a headed effort of his own in the 65th minute. Oliver Burke scored the unlikely winner ten minutes later with his effort deflecting off Axel Tuanzebe and past David De Gea.
The Blades would win only five more games all season to finish bottom of the division, while Manchester United ended the campaign as runners-up.
Predicted Lineups
Sheffield United: Foderingham; Robinson, Ahmedhodzic, Trusty; Bogle, Souza, Norwood, Hamer, Thomas; Archer, McBurnie.
Manchester United: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Lindelof; Casemiro, Amrabat; Fernandes, Mount, Rashford; Hojlund.
Who is the referee?
Michael Oliver.
Is Sheffield United vs Manchester United on television?
UK and Ireland: Sky Sports Main Event.
USA: Peacock.
What time is kick off?
Saturday 21st October, 20:00 BST.
Odds
Sheffield United – 6/1
Draw – 4/1
Manchester United – 2/5
