Deadbat
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It was an all too familiar feeling at the Lane on Saturday evening as the Blades fans trooped away after another defeat. However, this time there was at least some fight and resistance to the opposition and for the first half the original United were more than a match for their more illustrious counterparts. After trailing to a Scott McTominay goal, United got deservedly level after the same player was penalised for handball. Oli McBurnie scored his first goal of the season from the spot but after he went off injured in the 2nd half, the Blades did not offer the same threat. After a number of close scares, a long-range stunner from Diego Dalot won the game for the Red Devils and it was the eight defeat in nine games for the basement club. Despite an ever-increasing injury list and the picture looking bleak, Heckingbottom’s men will at least take some solace from a more competitive effort.
In front of the cameras and under the lights, it was an unusual 8pm kick off time on a Saturday evening but the fixture started on a sombre note after the sad loss of Manchester United and England legend Bobby Charlton earlier in the day. After the tributes had been paid by both clubs and sets of supporters, the home side began with a new 4-4-2 formation with Ahmedhodzic the latest to be out injured. Trusty and Robinson began as orthodox centre backs with Souza and Norwood (as captain) in front and McAtee an Hamer playing in wider positions. The visitors had struggled to start the season and also were struggling with players out with Martinez, Shaw, Wan Bissaka and Casemiro all unavailable.
The Blades began positively and a run from Hamer saw his shot blocked by Maguire and it fell perfectly for McBurnie but his shot lacked power and was saved by Onana. Antony had two efforts; one saved and one wide in an end-to-end contest. Souza broke up play twice and Archer was looking lively but the visitors were looking to use the pace down the flanks and Thomas/Bogle had their hands full in the opening stages.
The Blades were really giving it a good go and trying to move it forward and Archer had the first significant effort on goal that was pushed away but Norwood was off target on two set play opportunities. McAtee’s quick feet had been a feature of the opening spell but against the run of play possibly, the visitors took the lead. It was a basic one two down the right and the Blades failed to go with the runner with Hamer and Thomas ball watching and after Foderingham missed the cross it was moved back inside. Norwood allowed MCTOMINAY to control the ball and although his finish was rather shinned, it went inside the corner with the Blades keeper motionless. It was another sloppy goal to give away and an uphill task again.
United did try and respond quickly and won a corner and then were able to restore parity. It was patient build up and McAtee’s cross saw McTominay move his hand towards the ball and it seemed a clearly obvious penalty. Michael Oliver had no doubt and the VAR check confirmed this. MCBURNIE has a patchy penalty record but after the delay, he kept his cool and smashed it into the side netting via the inside of the post for an emphatic finish.
It was a really good contest and both teams were having a go with several meaty tackles rightly not penalised as referee Oliver was helping the game flow with a good performance. However, after the efforts from the Blades they started to sit back in the lead up to half time. A number of unnecessary fouls culminated in a Norwood offence that saw Fernandes hit a fantastic striker that clipped the bar and went behind. A further chance came soon after as the offside trap failed and Hojlund was in on goal and Foderingham did well to smother. The Blades had played really well but the flurry of late chances meant they were glad of the half time whistle.
After the break, the forward thrust returned temporarily for the home side and after a few had an opportunity to striker it, Norwood took it on and Onana tipped it over. McBurnie was deemed not for enough to continue which was a big blow as the striker had been a real plus. Brewster took his place and nearly had an immediate impact as he turned and hit a swerving shot that Onana made a bit of a mess of and his fumble nearly saw McAtee in on the rebound but ex favourite Maguire eased him off as replays showed he took a big risk in the challenge.
After this early promise, Man Utd started to take control and with the lack of hold up play near the top of the field, the Blades were retreating more and more. The possession was now all with the away side and they started to push the home side back. However, the first real chance came when Foderingham’s pass out saw Trusty turn his back but Hojlund could not finish. Soon after this sloppy play from Thomas saw the ball moved across and Rashford dragged his shot inches wide as the crowd held their breath. Hamer had a rare break but was well over as the theme of the Blades sitting back, after previously having a go seemed to continue. Martial, Garnacho and Eriksen all came on and the latter nearly set up a chance for Rashford before a fantastic effort from Amrabat bounced off the corner of post and bar. The ball came back to him and he drilled narrowly wide. It was now one way traffic and it seemed inevitable that a goal may come and so it proved.
It came from an unlikely source as the ball was moved across and DALOT let fly and his shot maybe surprised Foderingham who got a hand to it but might be a bit disappointed as the shot albeit powerful went in off his hands. The Blades made changes with Osborn and Traore on for McAtee and Hamer but they could not really fashion even an attack of note and Man Utd looked more likely to score again with Garnacho missing a golden chance as they broke through a tired Blades side. There was a very conservative 5 minutes of stoppage time played but in truth, the home side’s race had been done a long time ago and they never really looked like getting a late leveller as the visitors deservedly took the spoils.
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United – It was better. It had to be after some awful performances and results. Many of us said before the game that we just wanted us to compete, try and get in their faces and make it a match and not get walked through. For the first half we did that brilliantly. We played up tempo football, got stuck in and did go forward. We had shots, won corners and were not timid. It was everything we kind of wanted even with a limited side out and much changed personnel and formation again. We had a few chances and with Souza getting stuck in, McAtee getting more involved than he has since he returned and Archer finally showing some life; it looked so much better. Man Utd had chances too and it was even but it was annoying we conceded a stupid goal. So many times we could have got tighter to men (the one two); Wes needs to get the cross and then the ball back is not stopped. Norwood has to do better on the goal too and just lets him control it and shin it in. We responded really well and got the goal and I felt were right in it. I was really pleased with most of the team (two full backs looked susceptible all game mind) and just felt we saw some life in a side that looked beat before a ball was kicked in the last run of games. The formation maybe helped as meant we had more players who could go forward from midfield and the team seemed more compact too. I did think for 5-10 mins before half time we started to sit back and maybe tired (more on that later) and we gave away cheap free kicks and they easily could have scored from a few chances (hit bar/Wes save).
I hoped 2nd half we would find a second wind and we did ok for 5 minutes with the Norwood shot and then Brewster having the effort saved. However, McBurnie going off was the big turning point. We had no focal point and after the shot, I felt Brewster was not really in it at all and Archer dropped off hugely second half. The midfield dropped off and conceded territory and possession and slowly a very poor Man Utd side started to dominate. It was frustrating as I felt they were there for the taking and our best form of defence was attack but suppose with the big man going off, we had to play it to feet and a tired side was struggling to get hold of it. As much as Man Utd (and every other team almost) have better players whose touch is so much better (the number that pinged off ours was noticeable 2nd half) and can move it so much better, the lack of stamina and fitness has been really telling this season. Last time at this level we never got outrun or outfought really in that first season but this time out we look completely gassed after an hour. Today it was more like 35 minutes and for the last hour we just were chasing them and barely put more than 2 or 3 passes together after that little flurry after half time. We just sat back and invited pressure as the players resorted to cheap fouls or everything being at full stretch. I did not think Man Utd had tons of threats and were not peppering Wes’ goal but on reflection it was only poor finishing or bit of luck (Three one on ones missed and the two that hit the bar) that stopped it being more comfortable in terms of scoreline.
The goal was coming and in the end it was a bit of quality we do not have really. After this the subs we made summed up the difference. They bring on subs with international pedigree and quality and we bring on Osborn and Traore. I do think we maybe should have made changes before the goal but I would have put on Slimane to give us more physicality and legs (for Archer) and just shored up the midfield. Easy to say in hindsight. The plan seemed to be just to hold out for a 1-1. That is fine but not sure there was a real clear plan how to do it as we were not keeping the ball or even moving it into their half to kill periods of time and give the defence a break. I felt sorry for Robinson and Trusty who both did well but the full backs were poor on and off the ball. Souza had his best game for a while and Norwood did ok in general play but Hamer/McAtee tired badly. The whole side just seemed done by the hour and as I say with the lack of options off the bench due to appalling recruitment (no physical/experienced striker if (when) McBurnie gets injured is amateur-ish combined with the wretched injury list meant we had kids and mini men to come on. Sadly, Man Utd were always going to get a winner.
I was annoyed after as I felt we could have got a draw or even won it. Man Utd are as poor as they have ever been and also were missing some key men. We really had a chance to get something but the lack of fitness/player options allied to a poor mentality 2nd half where we stopped trying to attack (maybe the fatigue simply led to that – mental and physical?) meant there was only going to be one winner. It was a plucky defeat but in the end, a defeat it was and all the cliches about us doing better is fine but Man Utd are a mid-table side and at some point we have to try and attack sides (more consistently) to give ourselves a chance to get points (a point!).
I think the players sadly know we are just not good enough and it is like after all the effort they put in first half they become resigned to the fact they cannot keep it going. Eight defeats in nine and we are squarely in the camp of looking at being one of the worst Premier League sides ever. This seems daft as they probably has been loads worse but the standard has just risen so much. We really have a very good chance of being statistically the worst side and I think as it stands we probably look likely to get it. We have one point and are now a quarter of the way through the season. So, as it stands we would get 4! It’s a sorry situation and we face the possibility of becoming a laughing stock and always remembered for the wrong reasons. Sadly, not sure what the answer is. We have changed the tactics and will probably persist with this as we have no choice with all the centre backs out but we are playing who is available. With Anel and McBurnie maybe out now too, it is getting to the point where we are running out of players. The whole preparation/injury/conditioning/fitness record is now beyond a worry. That whole department really needs changing as harsh as it sounds but we need to try something different in terms of how we train/prepare them. The last 3 years is beyond bad luck and we need to overhaul this department. Last year it was the pitch at Shirecliffe but now we have changed that so what is it now?
I do not see the bad run ending anytime soon. A defeat is almost certain next week and then everyone talks about Bournemouth and Wolves as being games we might get something. Having watched those sides, they are not great but both are a lot better than us so I do not see us getting much in these games either? So, we play who we have available and have changed formation (and personnel) so the only other thing you can change is the manager. We will see if that happens but it probably is more than a possibility if he does not get a result in the next 2 or 3. I get that even though I am not sure it changes much.
Ideally the owner changes, we get investment and can try and sign better players but by January that ship will have sailed (be as good as down probably) and now he will not sell us as the price is plummeting every defeat. I said at the start of the season he would not be able to give us away in 12 months and sadly this is coming to fruition.
Despite a better effort and the players probably doing as well as they could yesterday we still lost and it is horrible knowing your club will and does lose every single week currently.
In front of the cameras and under the lights, it was an unusual 8pm kick off time on a Saturday evening but the fixture started on a sombre note after the sad loss of Manchester United and England legend Bobby Charlton earlier in the day. After the tributes had been paid by both clubs and sets of supporters, the home side began with a new 4-4-2 formation with Ahmedhodzic the latest to be out injured. Trusty and Robinson began as orthodox centre backs with Souza and Norwood (as captain) in front and McAtee an Hamer playing in wider positions. The visitors had struggled to start the season and also were struggling with players out with Martinez, Shaw, Wan Bissaka and Casemiro all unavailable.
The Blades began positively and a run from Hamer saw his shot blocked by Maguire and it fell perfectly for McBurnie but his shot lacked power and was saved by Onana. Antony had two efforts; one saved and one wide in an end-to-end contest. Souza broke up play twice and Archer was looking lively but the visitors were looking to use the pace down the flanks and Thomas/Bogle had their hands full in the opening stages.
The Blades were really giving it a good go and trying to move it forward and Archer had the first significant effort on goal that was pushed away but Norwood was off target on two set play opportunities. McAtee’s quick feet had been a feature of the opening spell but against the run of play possibly, the visitors took the lead. It was a basic one two down the right and the Blades failed to go with the runner with Hamer and Thomas ball watching and after Foderingham missed the cross it was moved back inside. Norwood allowed MCTOMINAY to control the ball and although his finish was rather shinned, it went inside the corner with the Blades keeper motionless. It was another sloppy goal to give away and an uphill task again.
United did try and respond quickly and won a corner and then were able to restore parity. It was patient build up and McAtee’s cross saw McTominay move his hand towards the ball and it seemed a clearly obvious penalty. Michael Oliver had no doubt and the VAR check confirmed this. MCBURNIE has a patchy penalty record but after the delay, he kept his cool and smashed it into the side netting via the inside of the post for an emphatic finish.
It was a really good contest and both teams were having a go with several meaty tackles rightly not penalised as referee Oliver was helping the game flow with a good performance. However, after the efforts from the Blades they started to sit back in the lead up to half time. A number of unnecessary fouls culminated in a Norwood offence that saw Fernandes hit a fantastic striker that clipped the bar and went behind. A further chance came soon after as the offside trap failed and Hojlund was in on goal and Foderingham did well to smother. The Blades had played really well but the flurry of late chances meant they were glad of the half time whistle.
After the break, the forward thrust returned temporarily for the home side and after a few had an opportunity to striker it, Norwood took it on and Onana tipped it over. McBurnie was deemed not for enough to continue which was a big blow as the striker had been a real plus. Brewster took his place and nearly had an immediate impact as he turned and hit a swerving shot that Onana made a bit of a mess of and his fumble nearly saw McAtee in on the rebound but ex favourite Maguire eased him off as replays showed he took a big risk in the challenge.
After this early promise, Man Utd started to take control and with the lack of hold up play near the top of the field, the Blades were retreating more and more. The possession was now all with the away side and they started to push the home side back. However, the first real chance came when Foderingham’s pass out saw Trusty turn his back but Hojlund could not finish. Soon after this sloppy play from Thomas saw the ball moved across and Rashford dragged his shot inches wide as the crowd held their breath. Hamer had a rare break but was well over as the theme of the Blades sitting back, after previously having a go seemed to continue. Martial, Garnacho and Eriksen all came on and the latter nearly set up a chance for Rashford before a fantastic effort from Amrabat bounced off the corner of post and bar. The ball came back to him and he drilled narrowly wide. It was now one way traffic and it seemed inevitable that a goal may come and so it proved.
It came from an unlikely source as the ball was moved across and DALOT let fly and his shot maybe surprised Foderingham who got a hand to it but might be a bit disappointed as the shot albeit powerful went in off his hands. The Blades made changes with Osborn and Traore on for McAtee and Hamer but they could not really fashion even an attack of note and Man Utd looked more likely to score again with Garnacho missing a golden chance as they broke through a tired Blades side. There was a very conservative 5 minutes of stoppage time played but in truth, the home side’s race had been done a long time ago and they never really looked like getting a late leveller as the visitors deservedly took the spoils.
---
United – It was better. It had to be after some awful performances and results. Many of us said before the game that we just wanted us to compete, try and get in their faces and make it a match and not get walked through. For the first half we did that brilliantly. We played up tempo football, got stuck in and did go forward. We had shots, won corners and were not timid. It was everything we kind of wanted even with a limited side out and much changed personnel and formation again. We had a few chances and with Souza getting stuck in, McAtee getting more involved than he has since he returned and Archer finally showing some life; it looked so much better. Man Utd had chances too and it was even but it was annoying we conceded a stupid goal. So many times we could have got tighter to men (the one two); Wes needs to get the cross and then the ball back is not stopped. Norwood has to do better on the goal too and just lets him control it and shin it in. We responded really well and got the goal and I felt were right in it. I was really pleased with most of the team (two full backs looked susceptible all game mind) and just felt we saw some life in a side that looked beat before a ball was kicked in the last run of games. The formation maybe helped as meant we had more players who could go forward from midfield and the team seemed more compact too. I did think for 5-10 mins before half time we started to sit back and maybe tired (more on that later) and we gave away cheap free kicks and they easily could have scored from a few chances (hit bar/Wes save).
I hoped 2nd half we would find a second wind and we did ok for 5 minutes with the Norwood shot and then Brewster having the effort saved. However, McBurnie going off was the big turning point. We had no focal point and after the shot, I felt Brewster was not really in it at all and Archer dropped off hugely second half. The midfield dropped off and conceded territory and possession and slowly a very poor Man Utd side started to dominate. It was frustrating as I felt they were there for the taking and our best form of defence was attack but suppose with the big man going off, we had to play it to feet and a tired side was struggling to get hold of it. As much as Man Utd (and every other team almost) have better players whose touch is so much better (the number that pinged off ours was noticeable 2nd half) and can move it so much better, the lack of stamina and fitness has been really telling this season. Last time at this level we never got outrun or outfought really in that first season but this time out we look completely gassed after an hour. Today it was more like 35 minutes and for the last hour we just were chasing them and barely put more than 2 or 3 passes together after that little flurry after half time. We just sat back and invited pressure as the players resorted to cheap fouls or everything being at full stretch. I did not think Man Utd had tons of threats and were not peppering Wes’ goal but on reflection it was only poor finishing or bit of luck (Three one on ones missed and the two that hit the bar) that stopped it being more comfortable in terms of scoreline.
The goal was coming and in the end it was a bit of quality we do not have really. After this the subs we made summed up the difference. They bring on subs with international pedigree and quality and we bring on Osborn and Traore. I do think we maybe should have made changes before the goal but I would have put on Slimane to give us more physicality and legs (for Archer) and just shored up the midfield. Easy to say in hindsight. The plan seemed to be just to hold out for a 1-1. That is fine but not sure there was a real clear plan how to do it as we were not keeping the ball or even moving it into their half to kill periods of time and give the defence a break. I felt sorry for Robinson and Trusty who both did well but the full backs were poor on and off the ball. Souza had his best game for a while and Norwood did ok in general play but Hamer/McAtee tired badly. The whole side just seemed done by the hour and as I say with the lack of options off the bench due to appalling recruitment (no physical/experienced striker if (when) McBurnie gets injured is amateur-ish combined with the wretched injury list meant we had kids and mini men to come on. Sadly, Man Utd were always going to get a winner.
I was annoyed after as I felt we could have got a draw or even won it. Man Utd are as poor as they have ever been and also were missing some key men. We really had a chance to get something but the lack of fitness/player options allied to a poor mentality 2nd half where we stopped trying to attack (maybe the fatigue simply led to that – mental and physical?) meant there was only going to be one winner. It was a plucky defeat but in the end, a defeat it was and all the cliches about us doing better is fine but Man Utd are a mid-table side and at some point we have to try and attack sides (more consistently) to give ourselves a chance to get points (a point!).
I think the players sadly know we are just not good enough and it is like after all the effort they put in first half they become resigned to the fact they cannot keep it going. Eight defeats in nine and we are squarely in the camp of looking at being one of the worst Premier League sides ever. This seems daft as they probably has been loads worse but the standard has just risen so much. We really have a very good chance of being statistically the worst side and I think as it stands we probably look likely to get it. We have one point and are now a quarter of the way through the season. So, as it stands we would get 4! It’s a sorry situation and we face the possibility of becoming a laughing stock and always remembered for the wrong reasons. Sadly, not sure what the answer is. We have changed the tactics and will probably persist with this as we have no choice with all the centre backs out but we are playing who is available. With Anel and McBurnie maybe out now too, it is getting to the point where we are running out of players. The whole preparation/injury/conditioning/fitness record is now beyond a worry. That whole department really needs changing as harsh as it sounds but we need to try something different in terms of how we train/prepare them. The last 3 years is beyond bad luck and we need to overhaul this department. Last year it was the pitch at Shirecliffe but now we have changed that so what is it now?
I do not see the bad run ending anytime soon. A defeat is almost certain next week and then everyone talks about Bournemouth and Wolves as being games we might get something. Having watched those sides, they are not great but both are a lot better than us so I do not see us getting much in these games either? So, we play who we have available and have changed formation (and personnel) so the only other thing you can change is the manager. We will see if that happens but it probably is more than a possibility if he does not get a result in the next 2 or 3. I get that even though I am not sure it changes much.
Ideally the owner changes, we get investment and can try and sign better players but by January that ship will have sailed (be as good as down probably) and now he will not sell us as the price is plummeting every defeat. I said at the start of the season he would not be able to give us away in 12 months and sadly this is coming to fruition.
Despite a better effort and the players probably doing as well as they could yesterday we still lost and it is horrible knowing your club will and does lose every single week currently.
