Deadbat
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The Blades are on the brink of relegation as their long winless run continued as it is now 10 games without victory after defeat at Old Trafford.
United made four changes with goalkeeper Ivo Grbic taken out of the side along with McAtee and Souza. Oli McBurnie was injured yet again and was not in the match day squad with reports that he had a torn abductor muscle which would see his season, and potentially United career, at an end. In came out of the cold, Wes Foderingham between the sticks, Mason Holgate, Andre Brooks and Cameron Archer. Young midfielder Oli Arblaster was named captain at only 20 years of age, only weeks after making his Premier League bow.
The home side who were fortunate to survive a thrilling cup semi-final at the weekend, named Chrisitan Eriksen in their starting line up for the first time since January. Marcus Rashford was out with an injury.
After 30 seconds, the home side were nearly ahead as they attacked from the kick off and Dalot looked to repeat his goal at Bramall Lane. This time his long-range effort was flicked over from Foderingham. The corner was not properly cleared as the pressure stayed on. Brooks did get the Blades out but his cross was comfortable for Onana. Trusty and Osborn then got in a mess as Antony looked to use his pace before the Red Devils were somehow 3 on 2 but Fernandes was caught offside as Ahmedhodiz made a great block on Garnarcho anyway.
Brooks did well to block the ball down the right but it came across Dalot had too much room and Arblaster had to put the ball behind. Casemiro beat Ahmedhodzic to the header but put it over the top.
The visiting side at least managed a couple of attacks after such a one-sided start but Archer badly pulled his shot wide after Hamer released him. Not long after Brereton Diaz was in a good position but his shot also lacked power.
Bogle then denied Garnarcho who was looking the danger man and he had a shot at Foderingham soon after. Arblaster brought down Mainoo but the young midfielder got back to make a block soon after before Garnacho fired over. The winger was causing all sort of problems with his quick feet and strong running and he played a one two and after faking his shot, he lined it up and seemed set to score but Foderingham made a superb save to deny him. It was concerning how easy he got in, effectively walking his way through the Blades defence.
Trusty then failed to clear properly and Fernandes pulled it back but Antony’s shot deflected over. The Brazilian winger then shot wide as Man Utd completely dominated the ball as the Blades were just sitting back as attack after attack came in.
On 29 minutes, the offside flag denied a rare break when Arblaster tried to pick a pass through. The home side continued to try and get down the sides and Hojlund then was in on the angle but Foderingham made the save.
He made another save, this time from Mainoo but the flag was up again in the build-up. The Blades stunned the home side when they took a goal completely against the run of play. Onana made a mess of trying to clear it and BOGLE intercepted, strode into the box, and calmly slotted it inside the near post to delight the away following at the other end of the ground.
Man Utd tried to respond despite murmurs around Old Trafford and Holgate was booked for a cynical foul on Garnarcho. Fernandes rolled it to the side but the Blades got out and made the block but soon after Foderingham made another save from Fernandes.
Mainoo then outfoxed Trusty, who baulked him after the attempted nutmeg. The defender will say he could not get out of the way but did move across to block his run so the free kick was understandable. The ball was sent across and no one got out to Garnarcho and he sent a cross that MAGUIRE flicked precisely into the corner. Even Foderingham could not stop that as Holgate was not tight enough to the former Blades favourite. There was a VAR check for offside but the goal stood.
Foderingham then made another superb save as Garnarcho as the offside trap was finally beaten but the keeper sprang to his right to make a great save.
3 minutes of stoppage time saw the Blades concede two corner but they survived to go in level despite the home side having 83% possession and 18 shots on goal!
Souza replaced Brooks at half time but Foderingham was put into action again as he has to save from Mainoo. The Blades took the lead again though soon after as United broke away and the ball was transferred to Hamer. The midfielder patiently waited for support and fed Osborn who cross was turned home emphatically by BRERETON DIAZ. The striker run away to celebrate in front of the United fans in the corner. It was an excellent team goal and showed United could find chances and opportunities to score.
Antony was replaced by Diallo, just after he was fortunate to get away with whacking his compatriot Souza. Fernandes shot deflected wide before the corner came in and Trusty had a good hold of Maguire’s shirt and the defender hit the deck. The ball squirmed into the net after a deflection but the referee had already given a penalty kick for the hold and shirt pull.
FERNANDES sent Foderingham the wrong way and quickly parity was restored. The home side sensed the next goal would be theirs and they nearly were in front after Bogle’s errant pass was intercepted but the Blades got bodies back to snuff out the chance.
McTominay came on for Eriksen and Osborn had to head behind after another run from Garnacho saw him get away from Bogle. The Blades unbelievable nearly went in front as Brereton Diaz’s shot deflected off Maguire and went narrowly wide with Onana completely wrong footed.
A short corner then saw the ball sent over and Brereton Diaz hit an effort from close range that was blocked. The Blades had looked like scoring they had attacked but these efforts were so rare and Man Utd continued to dominate possession and force the visitors back. Mainoo ball nearly got Fernandes in before Norwood came on for Bogle, who was tiring. Holgate went to right wing back and Souza dropped into centre defence.
On 80 minutes, Man Utd took the lead for the first time. It was a moment of magic from FERNANDES who came inside and with no one closing him down thundered a beauty into the top corner away from Foderingham’s dive.
The 4th came not long after to seal it as a tired Blades side were leaving gaps all over the field. Fernandes was in on the right and with some Blades defenders going out, Ahmedhodzic stayed back but the ball across was met by HOJLUND, who finished easily from close range.
Hamer got clipped to win a late free kick that he curled not far wide and then Souza’s header was palmed away from a corner as the Blades kept plugging away. Garnarcho had another shot saved from Foderingham as the game entered an additional 9 minutes of stoppage time but the result was not in doubt now and the home side eased to a win, that for a long time did not seem likely.
United – It went better in many ways than I thought. We gave them a game and scored two goals and they only moved away from us with two late-ish goals. Despite Man Utd’s issues recently and Coventry close to beating them, still thought they would be far too strong and win easily. They did in the end and stats wise they had so much possession, 72%, and 25 shots with 13 on target but we led twice and we had other good moments going forward and were right in the game and ahead for spells. We did not keep the leads for long and it felt like without Wes, it would have been a much heavier defeat but we did ok in aspects of the game. Going forward we did look a threat, scoring two and could have had a few more. However, the general flow of the game meant that we did not keep possession and were just sitting off from the start and almost waiting for the inevitable instead of pressing or closing them down.
Defensively we were really poor again (so were they) and basic marking or tracking runners is still a huge issue. There are gaps all over and it seems like we do not have any kind of defensive shape – often some defenders go out and some stay back. Added to that, we just cough up possession so cheaply and it means attack after attack comes in and we are just sat in our own box, almost waiting for the inevitable. It is frustrating that for all Wes’ saves he made, the first two goals came from set plays/aerial crosses we did not deal with. Maguire was involved in both of these and we ended up with Trusty trying to deal with him and struggling. In general play, we were second best but then bizarrely we’d have the odd break or moment and look good. Often though we panicked and kicked it away and then meant we just saw the ball coming back and we were chasing so much from the start. Man Utd got through us way too easily, particularly down the sides or the inside channels and the defence never seemed to be in line. I think with better finishing and worse keeping, then they score 7 or 8 goals tonight but then we could have had a few more too.
It was odd watching a game and not really feeling any pressure. I kind of enjoyed it. Wilder made some changes and did drop Grbic and Souza but it seems like he has little choice in other calls and is essentially picking whoever is fit – especially if McBurnie is injured again. A lot will be made of in game subs and none had any real impact yet again. I have no idea why he keeps going to Norwood – he is having no influence on games. Ditto for McAtee. Brooks was not really in it but then he puts Souza back in the side at half time – why did he not give someone else a go but then outside Slimane, options are really limited. Some will say we were 2-2 when Norwood came on but I think whilst he has offered nothing, and Souza didn’t – the other lads that came off were knackered. I think if we left players on, we would still have lost tonight. It’s more about the lads that come on are not able to run either. It’s worrying they look as leggy as those they have replaced!
I think first half we were too passive and just sat back and the goal we scored was a bit fortunate but taken well. After this we sat back again and it was obvious they would score. We opened a bit more second half and had more breaks/chances and had pockets of better and more controlled play. Sadly, it was sporadic and too often we would just lose the ball or kick it away and then defend. There was little attempt to just keep the ball for a period of time and move up the field (think we did this once or twice and one led to the second goal). Overall, the result looks comfortable for Man Utd but it wasn’t but then the flip side is we could have had a real mauling without a keeper in form. It seems some stubbornness from Wilder has stopped him bringing Wes back as the change should have been made a while ago. I get Wes was rightly dropped but then when the lad comes in, is even worse, you go back to him as he is the ‘other’ keeper. We have routinely kept dropping outfield players and then bringing them back again despite poor form.
We are nearly at the end and Saturday may confirm it. We still have this mish mash of players we want to build around in Bogle, Arblaster, Hamer etc and then players who will probably/hopefully go in Anel/Souza etc. We then have a number who are just not good enough (Trusty, Grbic) that we may be stuck with and then loan players who are doing ok (Holgate/BBD/Archer) but won’t be here. It almost seems like we are just playing whoever is fit and not had the ire of Wilder that week and there is so few options that we are kind of stuck. I think even Wilder just wants the season done now so he can start building for next season. I would like to see some more younger players given a go now but he again is caught between us getting more hammerings especially as we are nearing the 100 goals conceded mark which is a real embarrassment.
United made four changes with goalkeeper Ivo Grbic taken out of the side along with McAtee and Souza. Oli McBurnie was injured yet again and was not in the match day squad with reports that he had a torn abductor muscle which would see his season, and potentially United career, at an end. In came out of the cold, Wes Foderingham between the sticks, Mason Holgate, Andre Brooks and Cameron Archer. Young midfielder Oli Arblaster was named captain at only 20 years of age, only weeks after making his Premier League bow.
The home side who were fortunate to survive a thrilling cup semi-final at the weekend, named Chrisitan Eriksen in their starting line up for the first time since January. Marcus Rashford was out with an injury.
After 30 seconds, the home side were nearly ahead as they attacked from the kick off and Dalot looked to repeat his goal at Bramall Lane. This time his long-range effort was flicked over from Foderingham. The corner was not properly cleared as the pressure stayed on. Brooks did get the Blades out but his cross was comfortable for Onana. Trusty and Osborn then got in a mess as Antony looked to use his pace before the Red Devils were somehow 3 on 2 but Fernandes was caught offside as Ahmedhodiz made a great block on Garnarcho anyway.
Brooks did well to block the ball down the right but it came across Dalot had too much room and Arblaster had to put the ball behind. Casemiro beat Ahmedhodzic to the header but put it over the top.
The visiting side at least managed a couple of attacks after such a one-sided start but Archer badly pulled his shot wide after Hamer released him. Not long after Brereton Diaz was in a good position but his shot also lacked power.
Bogle then denied Garnarcho who was looking the danger man and he had a shot at Foderingham soon after. Arblaster brought down Mainoo but the young midfielder got back to make a block soon after before Garnacho fired over. The winger was causing all sort of problems with his quick feet and strong running and he played a one two and after faking his shot, he lined it up and seemed set to score but Foderingham made a superb save to deny him. It was concerning how easy he got in, effectively walking his way through the Blades defence.
Trusty then failed to clear properly and Fernandes pulled it back but Antony’s shot deflected over. The Brazilian winger then shot wide as Man Utd completely dominated the ball as the Blades were just sitting back as attack after attack came in.
On 29 minutes, the offside flag denied a rare break when Arblaster tried to pick a pass through. The home side continued to try and get down the sides and Hojlund then was in on the angle but Foderingham made the save.
He made another save, this time from Mainoo but the flag was up again in the build-up. The Blades stunned the home side when they took a goal completely against the run of play. Onana made a mess of trying to clear it and BOGLE intercepted, strode into the box, and calmly slotted it inside the near post to delight the away following at the other end of the ground.
Man Utd tried to respond despite murmurs around Old Trafford and Holgate was booked for a cynical foul on Garnarcho. Fernandes rolled it to the side but the Blades got out and made the block but soon after Foderingham made another save from Fernandes.
Mainoo then outfoxed Trusty, who baulked him after the attempted nutmeg. The defender will say he could not get out of the way but did move across to block his run so the free kick was understandable. The ball was sent across and no one got out to Garnarcho and he sent a cross that MAGUIRE flicked precisely into the corner. Even Foderingham could not stop that as Holgate was not tight enough to the former Blades favourite. There was a VAR check for offside but the goal stood.
Foderingham then made another superb save as Garnarcho as the offside trap was finally beaten but the keeper sprang to his right to make a great save.
3 minutes of stoppage time saw the Blades concede two corner but they survived to go in level despite the home side having 83% possession and 18 shots on goal!
Souza replaced Brooks at half time but Foderingham was put into action again as he has to save from Mainoo. The Blades took the lead again though soon after as United broke away and the ball was transferred to Hamer. The midfielder patiently waited for support and fed Osborn who cross was turned home emphatically by BRERETON DIAZ. The striker run away to celebrate in front of the United fans in the corner. It was an excellent team goal and showed United could find chances and opportunities to score.
Antony was replaced by Diallo, just after he was fortunate to get away with whacking his compatriot Souza. Fernandes shot deflected wide before the corner came in and Trusty had a good hold of Maguire’s shirt and the defender hit the deck. The ball squirmed into the net after a deflection but the referee had already given a penalty kick for the hold and shirt pull.
FERNANDES sent Foderingham the wrong way and quickly parity was restored. The home side sensed the next goal would be theirs and they nearly were in front after Bogle’s errant pass was intercepted but the Blades got bodies back to snuff out the chance.
McTominay came on for Eriksen and Osborn had to head behind after another run from Garnacho saw him get away from Bogle. The Blades unbelievable nearly went in front as Brereton Diaz’s shot deflected off Maguire and went narrowly wide with Onana completely wrong footed.
A short corner then saw the ball sent over and Brereton Diaz hit an effort from close range that was blocked. The Blades had looked like scoring they had attacked but these efforts were so rare and Man Utd continued to dominate possession and force the visitors back. Mainoo ball nearly got Fernandes in before Norwood came on for Bogle, who was tiring. Holgate went to right wing back and Souza dropped into centre defence.
On 80 minutes, Man Utd took the lead for the first time. It was a moment of magic from FERNANDES who came inside and with no one closing him down thundered a beauty into the top corner away from Foderingham’s dive.
The 4th came not long after to seal it as a tired Blades side were leaving gaps all over the field. Fernandes was in on the right and with some Blades defenders going out, Ahmedhodzic stayed back but the ball across was met by HOJLUND, who finished easily from close range.
Hamer got clipped to win a late free kick that he curled not far wide and then Souza’s header was palmed away from a corner as the Blades kept plugging away. Garnarcho had another shot saved from Foderingham as the game entered an additional 9 minutes of stoppage time but the result was not in doubt now and the home side eased to a win, that for a long time did not seem likely.
United – It went better in many ways than I thought. We gave them a game and scored two goals and they only moved away from us with two late-ish goals. Despite Man Utd’s issues recently and Coventry close to beating them, still thought they would be far too strong and win easily. They did in the end and stats wise they had so much possession, 72%, and 25 shots with 13 on target but we led twice and we had other good moments going forward and were right in the game and ahead for spells. We did not keep the leads for long and it felt like without Wes, it would have been a much heavier defeat but we did ok in aspects of the game. Going forward we did look a threat, scoring two and could have had a few more. However, the general flow of the game meant that we did not keep possession and were just sitting off from the start and almost waiting for the inevitable instead of pressing or closing them down.
Defensively we were really poor again (so were they) and basic marking or tracking runners is still a huge issue. There are gaps all over and it seems like we do not have any kind of defensive shape – often some defenders go out and some stay back. Added to that, we just cough up possession so cheaply and it means attack after attack comes in and we are just sat in our own box, almost waiting for the inevitable. It is frustrating that for all Wes’ saves he made, the first two goals came from set plays/aerial crosses we did not deal with. Maguire was involved in both of these and we ended up with Trusty trying to deal with him and struggling. In general play, we were second best but then bizarrely we’d have the odd break or moment and look good. Often though we panicked and kicked it away and then meant we just saw the ball coming back and we were chasing so much from the start. Man Utd got through us way too easily, particularly down the sides or the inside channels and the defence never seemed to be in line. I think with better finishing and worse keeping, then they score 7 or 8 goals tonight but then we could have had a few more too.
It was odd watching a game and not really feeling any pressure. I kind of enjoyed it. Wilder made some changes and did drop Grbic and Souza but it seems like he has little choice in other calls and is essentially picking whoever is fit – especially if McBurnie is injured again. A lot will be made of in game subs and none had any real impact yet again. I have no idea why he keeps going to Norwood – he is having no influence on games. Ditto for McAtee. Brooks was not really in it but then he puts Souza back in the side at half time – why did he not give someone else a go but then outside Slimane, options are really limited. Some will say we were 2-2 when Norwood came on but I think whilst he has offered nothing, and Souza didn’t – the other lads that came off were knackered. I think if we left players on, we would still have lost tonight. It’s more about the lads that come on are not able to run either. It’s worrying they look as leggy as those they have replaced!
I think first half we were too passive and just sat back and the goal we scored was a bit fortunate but taken well. After this we sat back again and it was obvious they would score. We opened a bit more second half and had more breaks/chances and had pockets of better and more controlled play. Sadly, it was sporadic and too often we would just lose the ball or kick it away and then defend. There was little attempt to just keep the ball for a period of time and move up the field (think we did this once or twice and one led to the second goal). Overall, the result looks comfortable for Man Utd but it wasn’t but then the flip side is we could have had a real mauling without a keeper in form. It seems some stubbornness from Wilder has stopped him bringing Wes back as the change should have been made a while ago. I get Wes was rightly dropped but then when the lad comes in, is even worse, you go back to him as he is the ‘other’ keeper. We have routinely kept dropping outfield players and then bringing them back again despite poor form.
We are nearly at the end and Saturday may confirm it. We still have this mish mash of players we want to build around in Bogle, Arblaster, Hamer etc and then players who will probably/hopefully go in Anel/Souza etc. We then have a number who are just not good enough (Trusty, Grbic) that we may be stuck with and then loan players who are doing ok (Holgate/BBD/Archer) but won’t be here. It almost seems like we are just playing whoever is fit and not had the ire of Wilder that week and there is so few options that we are kind of stuck. I think even Wilder just wants the season done now so he can start building for next season. I would like to see some more younger players given a go now but he again is caught between us getting more hammerings especially as we are nearing the 100 goals conceded mark which is a real embarrassment.
