Manchester United became the first English club to score 3 goals in 2 minutes as they came from behind to beat Sheffield United today 

Manchester United became the first English club to score 3 goals in 2 minutes as they came from behind to beat Sheffield United today 

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Manchester United vs Sheffield United result: Fernandes and Hojlund paper over deep cracks Updated 5 minutes ago

Rasmus Hojlund celebrates scoring their side’s fourth goal of the game during the Premier League match at Old Trafford

KEY MOMENTS

Chosen by us to get you up to speed at a glance

 

81 mins (3-2)

GOAL: Fernandes with a wonder goal

61 mins (2-2)

GOAL: Fernandes with a penalty to level

50 mins (1-2)

GOAL: Sheffield United are ahead again!

42 mins (1-1)

GOAL: Maguire with a great header for the hosts

35 mins (0-1)

GOAL: Onana howler gifts Sheff Utd the lead

 

Live reaction continues below

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Luke Slater

LIVE UPDATES

 

24 April 2024 • 10:00pm

10:00PM

FULL-TIME: Man Utd 4 Sheff Utd 2

United get the three points… in the end, after going behind twice. Not utterly convincing. They probably should have won on balance but it was far from convincing.

 

Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund celebrates scoring their side’s fourth goal of the game during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture date: Wednesday April 24, 2024

CREDIT: PA/Martin Rickett

9:57PM

90+7 mins – Man Utd 4 Sheff Utd 2

Alejandro Garnacho with another shot but Foderingham gets down and saves it. The game is petering out, really. Good game, though.

 

9:53PM

90+2 mins – Man Utd 4 Sheff Utd 2

A few minutes into nine minutes of time added on. Old Trafford sounds a little more upbeat now. Manchester United haven’t quite wiped off their negative goal difference overall…

 

9:49PM

‘United barely papering over the cracks’

 

So, it’s all about results according to Erik Ten Hag. United will win this now after their late goals but that does not tell the story of how close they were run by Sheffield United. It was a genuine scare, although maybe not quite as close as the weekend. The picture of Jason Wilcox deep in conversation with Sir Dave Brailsford when United were struggling was enduring. There are so many problems here at Old Trafford. VAR escapes at the weekend, penalty shootout wins, getting out of jail against the Premier League’s bottom team – these barely paper over the cracks.

 

Jason Wilcox hablando con Sir Dave Brailsford al entretiempo del partido 👀 pic.twitter.com/B3chinmI5J

 

— Forever United (@MUnitedEs) April 24, 2024

9:48PM

82 mins – Man Utd 4 Sheff Utd 2

Sheffield United now hold the unwanted record of the most goals conceded in a Premier League campaign. And there are still a few to go…

 

Sheffield United’s Auston Trusty with teammates look dejected after Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes scores their third goal

CREDIT: Reuters/Molly Darlington

9:45PM

GOAL! Rasmus Hojlund adds a fourth!

Bruno Fernandes with the assist and that should be three points for the home side. He’s happy about that and he gets a goal. Hasn’t had the service much this year but that is a fairly simple chance and he converted.

 

Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal with Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Sheffield United at Old Trafford on April 24, 2024 in Manchester, England

CREDIT: Getty Images/Alex Livesey

Man Utd 4 Sheff Utd 2

 

9:43PM

82 mins – Man Utd 3 Sheff Utd 2

The first time Manchester United have been ahead tonight. Not sure the nature of the victory will convince anyone that Erik ten Hag is the man for the job if they were previously unsure.

 

9:40PM

GOAL! Bruno Fernandes with a wonder goal!

25 yards out, left-footed and the man who I said was player of the match, cannot do anything about it!

 

Deflected slightly? Maybe…

 

Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Sheffield United at Old Trafford on April 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.

CREDIT: Getty Images/Alex Livesey

Man Utd 3 Sheff Utd 2

 

9:39PM

78 mins – Man Utd 2 Sheff Utd 2

Casemiro sends in a cross trying to find Garnacho after a Sheff Utd mistake, but Foderingham, probably man of the match, takes it and tries to launch a counter-attack.

 

9:34PM

75 mins – Man Utd 2 Sheff Utd 2

Sheffield United corner… Brereton Diaz with a shot again, blocked but then hooked over the bar by Ahmedhodzic…

 

9:32PM

72 mins – Man Utd 2 Sheff Utd 2

Which of these teams can win it tonight? Or, dare I say, which of them will throw it away…

 

9:27PM

68 mins – Man Utd 2 Sheff Utd 2

So close to Sheffield United taking the lead again! The hosts give the ball away, Brereton Diaz has a shot from 25 yards out but it is only Harry Maguire’s ankle that deflects it behind for a corner. Not that it was that far away, anyway…

 

9:25PM

67 mins – Man Utd 2 Sheff Utd 2

Man Utd are coming on strong here. Another corner and Dalot nearly turns it in but doesn’t and it’s a goal kick. Nearly a neat goal. Probably should be a corner, though, as the visitors’ captain got the last touch.

 

9:22PM

‘A strange atmosphere’

 

Such a strange atmosphere here at Old Trafford. Celebration at Bruno making it 2-2 from the penalty spot but this is hardly a bearpit. There is indifference at drawing against the Premier League’s worst side. The equaliser sets up the final quarter of the match nicely.

 

9:20PM

GOAL! Fernandes blasts it into the back of the net

Man Utd are level again.

 

The Portuguese grabs the ball and charges back to the half-way line…

 

Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United scores his team’s first goal from a penalty kick past Wes Foderingham of Sheffield United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Sheffield United at Old Trafford on April 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.

CREDIT: Getty Images/Matt McNulty

Nicely done.

 

9:20PM

57 mins – PENALTY TO MAN UTD

It’s a home corner. United have the ball in the back of the net… the fans cheer but the referee has already awarded a penalty! Strange. It’s been called for a Trusty foul on Harry Maguire and the referee is surrounded. It’ll be a penalty, I think. Whistle went before, I believe.

 

Soccer Football – Premier League – Manchester United v Sheffield United – Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain – April 24, 2024 Sheffield United players remonstrate with referee Michael Salisbury after a penalty is awarded

CREDIT: Reuters/Molly Darlington

Yes, penalty to United. Fernandes to take.

 

9:16PM

57 mins – Man Utd 1 Sheff Utd 2

Dalot gets into a great position after being put in but cannot get the shot away! He took just a bit too much time there before shooting. Too many touches and Foderingham saves.

 

Sheffield United’s Auston Trusty challenges Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester

CREDIT: PA/Martin Rickett

 

 

9:15PM

56 mins – Man Utd 1 Sheff Utd 2

Antony is hauled off… and met with a chorus of derision – boos as they are more commonly known – from a good chunk of the home fans.

 

9:14PM

Sheffield United ahead by their own making

 

Sheffield United had a helping hand for the first opening goal – but to make it 2-1 was all their own making. A fine team goal. Gus Hamer played Ben Osborn down the left flank and his pull-back was fired home powerfully by Ben Brereton Diaz. United will have to dig deep to get a result.

 

9:12PM

52 mins – Man Utd 1 Sheff Utd 2

Do United really care? Do they really care enough? There is little to show that they do. It, once more, feels like a lost cause in so many ways.

 

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag

CREDIT: Reuters/Molly Darlington

9:09PM

GOAL! Sheffield United are ahead again!

Brereton Diaz with a shot from eight yards out and the visitors are ahead again! United in a mess. They are not good at the back and that has again shown here. He left his marker and shot with his right. Not much Onana could do for that one.

 

Sheffield United’s Ben Brereton Diaz celebrates scoring second goal

CREDIT: Reuters/Molly Darlington

Man Utd 1 Sheffield United 2

 

9:08PM

47 mins – Man Utd 1 Sheff Utd 1

Garnacho gets another shot away, he has been busy tonight, but it is deflected and it makes an easy save for Foderingham. He has also been busy.

 

9:05PM

KICK-OFF!

We are back under way at Old Trafford. Vinicius Souza has replaced Andre Brooks for the visitors.

 

8:53PM

Flat at Old Trafford

 

Half-time here at Old Trafford and it’s rather flat. The Maguire equaliser means there is no anger aimed at the team but it has not been great. Wes Foderingham had an excellent half with plenty of saves, his final one before the break denying Garnacho after a long punt forward from Onana was flicked into his path.

 

8:50PM

HALF-TIME: Man Utd 1 Sheff Utd 1

Foderingham excellent for Sheffield United. Manchester United not brilliant, really, but they are level.

 

8:47PM

44 mins – Man Utd 1 Sheff Utd 1

Probably fair enough. United created chances and Foderingham denied them a few times, in fairness. 89 goals conceded for Sheffield United now…

 

Garnacho is in again in front of goal but again the Sheffield United keeper makes a great save to deny the hosts.

 

8:44PM

GOAL! Man Utd are level

And it’s former Sheffield United man Harry Maguire who does it with a header from a whipped-in Garnacho cross. Beats his marker and glances it towards the far post and in. Two in two for the defender.

 

Soccer Football – Premier League – Manchester United v Sheffield United – Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain – April 24, 2024 Manchester United’s Harry Maguire scores their first goal

CREDIT: Reuters/Molly Darlington

They are checking for offside on Maguire, though…

 

The goal stands.

 

 

“You’re getting sacked in the morning” sing the Blades fans at Erik Ten Hag. But United are back on level terms after Harry Maguire nods in Garnacho’s cross. Sheffield United have conceded 89 goals this season, the most in a 38-game season levelling Derby County from 2007/08.

 

8:43PM

40 mins – Man Utd 0 Sheff Utd 1

One of those evenings (again)? There have been many of them this season.

 

Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United looks dejected after their side concedes the first goal scored by Jayden Bogle of Sheffield United (not pictured) during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Sheffield United at Old Trafford on April 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.

CREDIT: Getty Images/Matt McNulty

8:40PM

39 mins – Man Utd 0 Sheff Utd 1

Do Sheffield United deserve their lead? Not sure. Does it really matter? No. They are ahead. Casemiro looks to be limping…

 

8:37PM

Sheffield United fans have something to sing about

 

Sheffield United are ahead! This is all down to Andre Onana and his poor kicking. His pass to the full-back goes straight to Jayden Bogle and he storms into the penalty area to score. Erik Ten Hag insisted that the weekend was not an embarrassment – but this is. “How s— must you be? We’re winning away,” sing the away fans.

 

8:37PM

GOAL! Sheffield United take the lead!

Onana gives the ball away to Bogle who then slots it past the Man Utd keeper and, believe it or not, Sheffield United are ahead. It’s absolutely believable, really. Great finish but Onana, who has been in good form recently, commits another howler.

 

Soccer Football – Premier League – Manchester United v Sheffield United – Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain – April 24, 2024 Sheffield United’s Jayden Bogle celebrates

CREDIT: Reuters/Molly Darlington

Man Utd 0 Sheff Utd 1

 

8:35PM

33 mins – Man Utd 0 Sheff Utd 0

Foderingham again with a fine save! Mainoo 12 yards out, left footed but it’s saved yet again. Flag goes up, mind you so it would not have counted (we assume). United occasionally looking dangerous but nothing from it yet.

 

8:33PM

31 mins – Man Utd 0 Sheff Utd 0

Arblaster finds Brereton Diaz who then finds Hamer… but the flag goes up for offside. Some threat from the visitors, despite the lack of possession. You rarely feel like Man Utd can shut out a team.

 

A short minute later, Eriksen then slides through Hojlund and he gets a shot away from a tight angle but Foderingham saves again. Tight angle but good movement from Hojlund. Not sure he has had the service he deserves this season.

 

8:29PM

27 mins – Man Utd 0 Sheff Utd 0

Plenty of possession for United. 83 per cent of it. Plenty of shots, too: 10 – and three of those on target. Nothing on the scoresheet yet, though.

 

Soccer Football – Premier League – Manchester United v Sheffield United – Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain – April 24, 2024 Manchester United’s Antony reacts

CREDIT: Reuters/Molly Darlington

8:26PM

25 mins – Man Utd 0 Sheff Utd 0

Fernandes sends in a cross, Foderingham palms away. Antony gets to the rebound but it is deflected behind for a fourth United corner of the game. Better from the red team here.

 

8:24PM

Antony isolated so far

 

There were jeers for Antony before kick-off when his name was read out, then more when he touched the ball. To be expected really after what he did at Wembley. But he has not been involved much. Diogo Dalot had a shot from long distance saved in the first 30 seconds but United have not been fluent against a five-man Blades defence. INEOS chief Sir Dave Brailsford and United’s technical director Jason Wilcox are sat in the stands and will be hoping for a more straightforward game than the weekend. Alejandro Garnacho has had the best chance but after dancing through on goal had his finish saved by Wes Foderingham.

 

8:24PM

23 mins – Man Utd 0 Sheff Utd 0

Best chance of the game? Garnacho squanders the opportunity to put United ahead and to cap off a fine United move. He has a shot from 10 yards in front of goal but Foderingham makes an excellent save. Should have done better.

 

8:22PM

21 mins – Man Utd 0 Sheff Utd 0

United with a bit of pressure up front. It ends with Eriksen letting fly, but rather poorly and the danger ends.

 

8:18PM

17 mins – Man Utd 0 Sheff Utd 0

Garnacho with a header at the near post but he cannot get enough it it and the visitors clear.

 

8:17PM

15 mins – Man Utd 0 Sheff Utd 0

Cameron Archer runs at the United defence and fires with his left foot but doesn’t connect with it that well and it goes wide. Garnacho with the mistake that led to the chance there, giving the ball away and didn’t try to win it back.

 

Sheffield United’s Cameron Archer attempts a shot on goal during the Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester

CREDIT: PA/Martin Rickett

Brereton-Diaz soon after has another shot but it’s straight at Onana. Worrying signs for United?

 

8:13PM

13 mins – Man Utd 0 Sheff Utd 0

Fernandes takes the corner, Casemiro heads it over…

 

8:13PM

12 mins – Man Utd 0 Sheff Utd 0

Eriksen sends it to his left where Dalot picks up. Garnacho and Dalot link up again, he plays it across goal but the Sheff Utd captain sends it behind for a corner. Dalot involved a fair bit early on.

 

8:11PM

10 mins – Man Utd 0 Sheff Utd 0

Offside for United but a decent chance before. Fernandes was offside after a pass from Antony. Fernandes tried to find Hojlund but it was all academic. Mainoo began the move.

 

8:10PM

8 mins – Man Utd 0 Sheff Utd 0

Not the most intense football match so far Sheffield United just lacking a bit of fluency when it comes to the final ball. Man Utd have a goal kick.

 

8:06PM

5 mins – Man Utd 0 Sheff Utd 0

United with a spell with the ball here but not making any real forward progress. A ball over the top from Casemiro finds Fernandes who sends in Antony, Fernandes gets it back, trying to find Hojlund. Sheffield United clear, just about…

 

8:02PM

KICK OFF!

And there’s nearly a goal straight away, for United, as Dalot shoots with his left foot but Foderingham tips it over the bar for the corner…

 

Manchester United’s Portuguese defender #20 Diogo Dalot watches as his shot gets saved

CREDIT: AFP/Oli Scarff

7:59PM

Mike McGrath: A big statement from Wilder

 

Chris Wilder has made a big statement with his team selection. Oliver Arblaster, 19, has been given the Sheffield United captain’s armband. He has been excellent during the club’s struggle to beat the drop. Goalkeeper Ivo Grbic is dropped and Wes Foderingham is back, while Oli McBurnie misses out and Vini Souza is on the bench from the team thrashed by Burnley at the weekend.

 

7:55PM

Erik ten Hag on his team selection

“We didn’t have too many options to make rotation. Those players are fit and recovered and have good spirit. It will be a tough game, that is clear, not everyone knows why but I know why.”

 

7:45PM

Mike McGrath on United’s team

 

Manchester United’s injury crisis will test Erik Ten Hag’s resources again, with Casemiro playing at centre-back as he did in the FA Cup semi-final at the weekend. Antony – who cupped his ears in celebration despite the Wembley humiliation by Coventry – also starts as Marcus Rashford is injured. Christian Eriksen comes in for Scott McTominay.

 

7:39PM

Erik ten Hag’s Man Utd are inept and chaotic – Sir Jim Ratcliffe must put him out of his misery

Having just run the London Marathon in 4hr 30min 52sec at the age of 71, Sir Jim Ratcliffe was perfectly entitled to collapse in a heap. Instead, he watched his Manchester United players do it for him. Never, as he enjoyed a restorative post-race ice bath at the Royal Automobile Club on Pall Mall, could the richest man in Britain have imagined that the most painful part of his Sunday was still to come.

 

Read more from Oliver Brown on Manchester United’s humiliating victory.

 

7:26PM

Premier League relegation battle

 

7:21PM

Sheffield United’s recent form

Sheff Utd 1 Burnley 4

Brentford 2 Sheff Utd 0

Sheff Utd 2 Chelsea 2

Bournemouth 2 Sheff Utd 0

Sheff Utd 0 Arsenal 6

Wolves 1 Sheff Utd 0

 

No wins either for Sheffield United and two draws. Not a great deal worse than their opponents tonight really.

 

7:12PM

Man Utd recent form

This is their last six games in all competitions, most recent first.

 

Coventry 3 Man Utd 3

Bournemouth 2 Man Utd 2

Man Utd 2 Liverpool 2

Chelsea 4 Man Utd 3

Brentford 1 Man Utd 1

Man City 3 Man Utd 1

 

In other words, four draws and two losses. No wins. Pretty poor really.

 

7:03PM

The teams are in…

Man Utd

Starting XI: Onana, Dalot, Casemiro, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka, Eriksen, Mainoo, Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund

Subtitutes: Bayindir, Amrabat, Diallo, McTominay, Forson, Amass, Ogunneye, Jackson, Wheatley

 

Sheff Utd

Starting XI: Foderingham, Holgate, Ahmedhodzic, Trusty, Bogle, Hamer, Arblaster, Osborn, Brooks, Brereton, Archer.

Substitutes: Grbic, Norwood, Vinicius Souza, Ben Slimane, Larouci, McAtee, Curtis, Osula, Hampson

 

6:56PM

Erik ten Hag has arrived at Old Trafford

I wonder how many more times I will be able to write that…

 

Suited for #MUNSHU 👔#MUFC || #PL pic.twitter.com/H8fxPpEZyZ

 

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 24, 2024

4:38PM

Good evening

Welcome to our live coverage for tonight’s game between Manchester United and Sheffield United at Old Trafford. What is at stake here? Well, it depends how you look at it. At one end of the table are Sheffield United, who have won just three games all season and sit on 16 points at the foot of the Premier League. They have a goal difference of -57, 25 worse than any other team and are 10 points adrift of safety with five games remaining. They are not mathematically relegated but pride is mostly what they are playing for today.

 

At the other end of the table – though not entirely – are Manchester United. And what to say about them? The 2023/24 season has seen them repeat the trend that has occurred since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club more than a decade ago. That it to say that any progress (perceived, real or otherwise) does not last more than months. Last year was a good one for Erik ten Hag’s men, winning the League Cup, getting to the FA Cup final and finishing in the top four and securing a Champions League slot.

 

This year? Well, all that promise has eroded or has been shown to be false. After 32 games they sit sixth in the table with just one win in their last five league games. Their hopes of getting into the Champions League next year (this year they finished bottom of their grou