Fernandes to rescue for Man Utd after wounding blows from the Blades
Bruno Fernandes produced a captain’s performance to spare Manchester United’s blushes against rock-bottom Sheffield United, scoring twice and providing another in a 4-2 comeback win for Erik ten Hag’s misfiring side.
Under-fire Ten Hag’s side twice had to come from behind against Chris Wilder’s Blades, before Fernandes’ brace inspired the end of United’s four-match winless run in the Premier League win to move them up to sixth.
The hosts had started brightly enough, having 83 per cent possession and 11 attempts before Jayden Bogle capitalised on an Andre Onana error and opened the scoring in front of a stunned Stretford End.
Harry Maguire quickly levelled against his former club, only for the Blades to go back ahead through Ben Brereton Diaz early in the second half.
Fernandes drew the hosts level from the spot as the Blades conceded a 90th goal of the season – the most ever in a 38-match Premier League season – and more were to follow.
United’s skipper fired home an 81st minute rocket from 25 yards, before setting up Rasmus Hojlund to add a another four minutes later.
Former Rangers keeper Wes Foderingham was brought in by Wilder and produced an impressive display, kicked off by brilliantly tipping over a hopeful Diogo Dalot effort from distance.
His opposite number Onana was embarrassed, though, when a poor first touch was followed by a rushed pass to Dalot, which was intercepted by Bogle and finished impressively.
That was 35th minute shocker led the raucous, selfdeprecating away support to poke fun at the hosts and their under-fire manager. But soon one of the Blades’ own levelled, with their academy product Maguire meeting Alejandro Garnacho’s cross with a glancing header at the near post.
The hosts began the second period sharply, only for Ben Osborn cutback to be slammed home by Brereton Diaz to spark Blades delirium.
It was another gut punch, but again the home side rallied. A mixture of fine defending from Auston Trusty and Dalot’s dithering prevented the full-back from getting a shot away, before the Blades defender was punished for putting his hands on Maguire in the box. Referee Michael Salisburyhad whistled for a spot-kick before the ball ended up in the net, with Fernandes having to step up to smash past Foderingham.
The visitors continued to threaten, with Brereton Diaz driving narrowly wide off Maguire before he saw a goal-bound attempt blocked.
But for all of United’s problems this season, they have frequently showed an ability to dig deep in uncomfortable moments. Fernandes epitomises that resilience and struck a thumping 25-yard drive that flew into the top corner and raised the roof in the 81st minute.
The relief was as palpable as the joy, with Hojlund striking home from close range from Fernandes’ cross soon after.
With the result all but secured Ten Hag handed a debut to 18-year-old Ethan Wheatley, who became the 250th academy graduate to make his first team debut for the club.