Man Utd miss out on top spot, as Sheff Utd earn shock win at Old Trafford

Oliver Burke TEAMtalk

Manchester United missed the chance to climb back to the top of the Premier League after a surprise 2-1 home defeat to Sheffield United.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men were rocked at Old Trafford on Wednesday night when Kean Bryan headed the visitors into a shock first-half lead.

United dominated proceedings though and grabbed an equaliser when Harry Maguire (64) nodded in a corner from the left.

The Blades though, who remain rooted to the foot of the table, took the lead again 10 minutes later. Oliver Burke’s heavily-deflected effort hit the crossbar and in past David De Gea and they hung on for a famous win.

It was only the second time this season the Blades had scored multiple goals in a game – the other match was a 3-2 home defeat against Manchester United on 17 December.

Axel Tuanzebe made his first Premier League start of the season.

The defender was among six alterations made by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer from the FA Cup win against Liverpool, with David De Gea, Alex Telles, Nemanja Matic, Bruno Fernandes and Anthony Martial also brought in.

Chris Wilder made four changes to the Blades line-up, with George Baldock, Phil Jagielka, Bryan and David McGoldrick introduced. The absentee-hit visitors were only able to name six substitutes at Old Trafford.

The hosts dominated possession from the outset at Old Trafford – but it was the Blades that broke the deadlock.

Sheff Utd TEAMtalk

John Fleck fired over a corner and Bryan rose to glance home in the 23rd minute as Solskjaer’s set piece problems reared their head again.

Wilder’s visitors took a surprise 1-0 lead into half-time at Old Trafford, where Man United dominated possession but looked passive on the ball.

Martial thought he had levelled on the half-hour mark but Harry Maguire was adjudged to have fouled goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in the build up to him finding the net.

Into the second half and Marcus Rashford hit a free-kick over the wall but straight at Aaron Ramsdale. And then moments later Bruno Fernandes had a free-kick which cannoned back off the wall.

Mason Greenwood TEAMtalk

United did though level on 64 minutes through former Blade Maguire. The England man lost Phil Jagielka and thumped a header past Ramsdale from an Alex Telles corner.

Burke though wasted no time in firing the visitors ahead after De Gea’s ball out wide had United in trouble.

Telles almost hit back immediately when his shot  deflected towards goal only for Ramsdale to turn it away for a corner.

United could not muster anything of any note late on and despite 76% possession and 16 shots to the visitors’ five they could not earn a point.

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