Deadbat
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Podcast….
Report below…..
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An incredible game of football at Bramall Lane saw United outplay Manchester United for 70 minutes and lead 2-0 but a stunning comeback from the visitors saw them score three goals in less than 10 minutes and threaten to steal an unlikely win. The home side did not give in and a late Ollie McBurnie goal at the death salvaged the point, which was the least they deserved. The Blades played very well for most of the game and took the game to their more illustrious opponents and but for that remarkable spell would have won the game. It was a mixture of pride and disappointment at full time for the home supporters who felt they did enough to win the game but equally would have been pleased to have taken something from it after the unlikely turnaround.
Manager Wilder had to make two changes with Henderson ineligible and Egan deemed not fit. Moore and Jagielka deputised. Man Utd showed the level of respect for the Blades by matching up with their formation with Phil Jones being played as an extra centre back in a formation they do not normally employ.
The game began with a cracking atmosphere inside a packed Bramall Lane and United took the game to their Lancastrian neighbours with Fleck winning several 50-50 challenges and Lundstram and Norwood controlling possession. McGoldrick was coming deep into little pockets and causing a whole host of problems with his hold up and link play. The home team were certainly well on top and had the first chances of the game when De Gea saved from Lundstram and then soon after the keeper produced an even better save from McGoldrick from Stevens’ inch perfect cross. United carried on with the high tempo play and won two corners in succession.
The opening goal came on the 19th minute. Mousset chased down Jones and held him off with a powerful challenge and his cross was hit goalwards from Lundstram and De Gea made an instinctive save but the rebound fell into FLECK’s path who prodded the ball into the goal. The Lane erupted in unison to salute the deserved goal from the Blades.
Manchester United had offered little in response and a rare break saw Martial have a low shot saved from Moore but the Blades continued to swarm forward, winning tackles and loose balls. Baldock and Basham played some lovely pieces of play down the right and then Basham led the charge with Mousset and McGoldrick also linking up well again. United were well on top and the visitors could not get a foothold into the game. O’Connell had to be alert to hook away from Fred just before the break but the half time whistle went with the Blades fully deserving of the lead.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had to make changes and off came the wretched Jones for Lingard as Man Utd had to show more attacking impetus than they had showed in the first half where they had been second best. They had more of the ball and Rashford flashed a shot over the bar and the Blades had to be resilient and sit in more to begin the half.
Lundstram linked well with Baldock leading Williams to scythe down his man and get rightly yellow carded. Soon after Lundstram was booked also, for fetching down his man after his initial give away.
On the 52nd minute, the Blades took a real stranglehold of the game. Fleck came onto the ball as he had done all game, drove forward and played a lovely through ball to MOUSSET who could get a run towards goal. The striker still had a lot to do but took a touch and then hit a delightful curled effort into the far corner away from De Gea and the Blades were in dreamland 2-0 up!
Man Utd had to respond and Maguire was now playing as almost a midfielder and shot wide after a run on the angle. Wan Bissaka chopped down McGoldrick to get a yellow card and then Moore had to be alert to clutch a low cross. The Blades were not having as much possession as they had been having for the first hour and tired legs were eminent. James and Rashford were starting to create gaps and Mousset in contrast went down and had to go off holding his hamstring. McBurnie came on his place but the contest had seen a shift and Man Utd were now having a lot of territory and ball and it maybe came as no surprise when they got a foothold back in the game.
James got down the right and got away from Stevens and his cross was flicked away but WILLIAMS came onto it and hit a great angled shot right into the corner and the contest was back alive. The Blades now were struggling to stem the tide and Man Utd found an urgency they had not showed for the first 70 minutes of the game. It was not long before they were level with a goal similar to the first.
It came down the right-hand side again and this time Rashford sent over a cross and sub Greenwood diverted home with Moore not able to react in time. The game had been turned on its head and suddenly the away side sensed blood against a tired and stretched home team.
The third goal was a superb move when it came as James and Martial combined down the left to cut United open and when the cross came over, Moore was dissected and RASHFORD had the easy task of putting the ball into the open goal.
It had been a remarkable turnaround and out of context with what had occurred for most of the game. In a seven minutes spell Manchester United had scored three goals and turned around a game they had barely been in. The majority of the crowd were stunned.
Sharp and Robinson were now on for McGoldrick and Basham and the Blades tried to salvage something with just under 10 minutes to play. Man Utd had more half chances on the break but the Blades threw men forward and as the board showed four minutes stoppage time, United got the leveller.
Stevens did well down the left and Robinson helped it on and MCBURNIE volleyed it home after bringing the ball down. There was a delay as they checked for a handball from the striker with Man Utd players convinced he had used his arm but the replays showed it was his chest/shoulder and the goal was rightly given. After this United had another attack and Sharp nearly got on the end of a Baldock cross before Jagielka had to make a tackle to stop the Red Devils making another breakaway. The game finished end to end with both searching for a winner and in the end the final whistle came with both sides probably disappointed with the final outcome in a pulsating contest.
United – For 70 minutes we were brilliant. Like against Arsenal, Spurs and also Liverpool for long spells, we matched and even outplayed a more illustrious opponent. We were in their face, we won the loose balls, all the physical stuff and just were better than them. More than that we got on the ball, passed it and kept our composure. It was all good football and we never panicked. We got through gaps, found little pocket and got overloads. We could have scored through Lundstam and then Didzy and overall, we looked the far better side. They had matched us up formation wise but we totally won midfield and caused the defence problems with Jones in particular struggling. We then got the goal we deserved and continued to dominate. We really should and could have been 2 up at half time and I think they had one shot but this as easy for Moore. We were really so good and with Lundstram and Fleck all over the field on and off the ball and the front two so dangerous, it was a brilliant first half performance.
After the break they changed it and on came Lingard but we stayed right in the game. They maybe had more of the ball but we then scored another really good goal and you felt that was it. We just needed to keep it going for 10-15 minutes. Sadly, we started to sit back but it was more to do with us just being knackered. We had pressed and played so well, it was inevitable we would not have as much of the ball and they started to play more. Mousset going off injured was a big moment as they started to then see we had no out ball and they really started to pin us back. Still they had not had any clear chances and we had kept our shape but a poor first goal to concede and then it all turned. Another game from an identical cross and finish in the box and we were then panicking. It was like Villa all over again but against even better opponents. James, Rashford and Martial had barely been in the game but now were running all over us and we had no answer. They came at us time after time and for a spell they looked like the early 90s Man Utd with Ince, Giggs, Kanchelskis etc with such pace and movement on the break. For a 10-minute spell we could not cope. It was not bad play from us really. They just found overloads and we could not live with the pace. They scored a brilliant third through pace, skill and movement. You sat with your hands in your head thinking we have dominated a game for 70 minutes and then in less than 10 they have upped it and scored three. That is the harsh reality of this top level. So far this season we have not fell apart and got overrun like that. Would it have happened if Egan (and indeed Henderson) would have been in? I am not sure. We may not have sat as deep but sometimes another team just gets momentum. They could have scored more in this spell. It was bizarre as they had not looked like doing this all game and then bang, bang, bang. We were done for me but then suddenly they missed another chance and we broke away. We put another ball into the box and McBurnie scored. After this anything could have happened. I was proud we had fought back and got something. At the end it was such a mixture of emotions really. We played well enough to win, but then we have lost, then drawn. It was so bizarre. It was an exhausting rollercoaster really. What game to watch though. Many will focus on that 7-minute spell but for 70 minutes we were outstanding and on another day a team as well as Man Utd played don’t score all three shots in that spell.
Overall, today was another big step forward. We have outplayed Spurs and Man Utd for the last two games and now are disappointed not to win both games. That sums up how good we have been. We are outplaying and out footballing Premier League juggernauts. We keep this up and we will be fine and beat the lesser sides. We have a tough game at Wolves to come and the away record will get a thorough examination but after this we have a run of games against sides below us in the league. If we keep this level of play and performance then we will be absolutely fine and win far more games than we lose. At the moment I cannot knock anything (even with the 7-minute spell) we have been exceptional on and off the ball. Every player has upped their game and improved their performances. The team is playing consistently well and the football is superb to watch. We are a bit disappointed to not beat Man Utd. That sums up how great we have been.
Report below…..
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An incredible game of football at Bramall Lane saw United outplay Manchester United for 70 minutes and lead 2-0 but a stunning comeback from the visitors saw them score three goals in less than 10 minutes and threaten to steal an unlikely win. The home side did not give in and a late Ollie McBurnie goal at the death salvaged the point, which was the least they deserved. The Blades played very well for most of the game and took the game to their more illustrious opponents and but for that remarkable spell would have won the game. It was a mixture of pride and disappointment at full time for the home supporters who felt they did enough to win the game but equally would have been pleased to have taken something from it after the unlikely turnaround.
Manager Wilder had to make two changes with Henderson ineligible and Egan deemed not fit. Moore and Jagielka deputised. Man Utd showed the level of respect for the Blades by matching up with their formation with Phil Jones being played as an extra centre back in a formation they do not normally employ.
The game began with a cracking atmosphere inside a packed Bramall Lane and United took the game to their Lancastrian neighbours with Fleck winning several 50-50 challenges and Lundstram and Norwood controlling possession. McGoldrick was coming deep into little pockets and causing a whole host of problems with his hold up and link play. The home team were certainly well on top and had the first chances of the game when De Gea saved from Lundstram and then soon after the keeper produced an even better save from McGoldrick from Stevens’ inch perfect cross. United carried on with the high tempo play and won two corners in succession.
The opening goal came on the 19th minute. Mousset chased down Jones and held him off with a powerful challenge and his cross was hit goalwards from Lundstram and De Gea made an instinctive save but the rebound fell into FLECK’s path who prodded the ball into the goal. The Lane erupted in unison to salute the deserved goal from the Blades.
Manchester United had offered little in response and a rare break saw Martial have a low shot saved from Moore but the Blades continued to swarm forward, winning tackles and loose balls. Baldock and Basham played some lovely pieces of play down the right and then Basham led the charge with Mousset and McGoldrick also linking up well again. United were well on top and the visitors could not get a foothold into the game. O’Connell had to be alert to hook away from Fred just before the break but the half time whistle went with the Blades fully deserving of the lead.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had to make changes and off came the wretched Jones for Lingard as Man Utd had to show more attacking impetus than they had showed in the first half where they had been second best. They had more of the ball and Rashford flashed a shot over the bar and the Blades had to be resilient and sit in more to begin the half.
Lundstram linked well with Baldock leading Williams to scythe down his man and get rightly yellow carded. Soon after Lundstram was booked also, for fetching down his man after his initial give away.
On the 52nd minute, the Blades took a real stranglehold of the game. Fleck came onto the ball as he had done all game, drove forward and played a lovely through ball to MOUSSET who could get a run towards goal. The striker still had a lot to do but took a touch and then hit a delightful curled effort into the far corner away from De Gea and the Blades were in dreamland 2-0 up!
Man Utd had to respond and Maguire was now playing as almost a midfielder and shot wide after a run on the angle. Wan Bissaka chopped down McGoldrick to get a yellow card and then Moore had to be alert to clutch a low cross. The Blades were not having as much possession as they had been having for the first hour and tired legs were eminent. James and Rashford were starting to create gaps and Mousset in contrast went down and had to go off holding his hamstring. McBurnie came on his place but the contest had seen a shift and Man Utd were now having a lot of territory and ball and it maybe came as no surprise when they got a foothold back in the game.
James got down the right and got away from Stevens and his cross was flicked away but WILLIAMS came onto it and hit a great angled shot right into the corner and the contest was back alive. The Blades now were struggling to stem the tide and Man Utd found an urgency they had not showed for the first 70 minutes of the game. It was not long before they were level with a goal similar to the first.
It came down the right-hand side again and this time Rashford sent over a cross and sub Greenwood diverted home with Moore not able to react in time. The game had been turned on its head and suddenly the away side sensed blood against a tired and stretched home team.
The third goal was a superb move when it came as James and Martial combined down the left to cut United open and when the cross came over, Moore was dissected and RASHFORD had the easy task of putting the ball into the open goal.
It had been a remarkable turnaround and out of context with what had occurred for most of the game. In a seven minutes spell Manchester United had scored three goals and turned around a game they had barely been in. The majority of the crowd were stunned.
Sharp and Robinson were now on for McGoldrick and Basham and the Blades tried to salvage something with just under 10 minutes to play. Man Utd had more half chances on the break but the Blades threw men forward and as the board showed four minutes stoppage time, United got the leveller.
Stevens did well down the left and Robinson helped it on and MCBURNIE volleyed it home after bringing the ball down. There was a delay as they checked for a handball from the striker with Man Utd players convinced he had used his arm but the replays showed it was his chest/shoulder and the goal was rightly given. After this United had another attack and Sharp nearly got on the end of a Baldock cross before Jagielka had to make a tackle to stop the Red Devils making another breakaway. The game finished end to end with both searching for a winner and in the end the final whistle came with both sides probably disappointed with the final outcome in a pulsating contest.
United – For 70 minutes we were brilliant. Like against Arsenal, Spurs and also Liverpool for long spells, we matched and even outplayed a more illustrious opponent. We were in their face, we won the loose balls, all the physical stuff and just were better than them. More than that we got on the ball, passed it and kept our composure. It was all good football and we never panicked. We got through gaps, found little pocket and got overloads. We could have scored through Lundstam and then Didzy and overall, we looked the far better side. They had matched us up formation wise but we totally won midfield and caused the defence problems with Jones in particular struggling. We then got the goal we deserved and continued to dominate. We really should and could have been 2 up at half time and I think they had one shot but this as easy for Moore. We were really so good and with Lundstram and Fleck all over the field on and off the ball and the front two so dangerous, it was a brilliant first half performance.
After the break they changed it and on came Lingard but we stayed right in the game. They maybe had more of the ball but we then scored another really good goal and you felt that was it. We just needed to keep it going for 10-15 minutes. Sadly, we started to sit back but it was more to do with us just being knackered. We had pressed and played so well, it was inevitable we would not have as much of the ball and they started to play more. Mousset going off injured was a big moment as they started to then see we had no out ball and they really started to pin us back. Still they had not had any clear chances and we had kept our shape but a poor first goal to concede and then it all turned. Another game from an identical cross and finish in the box and we were then panicking. It was like Villa all over again but against even better opponents. James, Rashford and Martial had barely been in the game but now were running all over us and we had no answer. They came at us time after time and for a spell they looked like the early 90s Man Utd with Ince, Giggs, Kanchelskis etc with such pace and movement on the break. For a 10-minute spell we could not cope. It was not bad play from us really. They just found overloads and we could not live with the pace. They scored a brilliant third through pace, skill and movement. You sat with your hands in your head thinking we have dominated a game for 70 minutes and then in less than 10 they have upped it and scored three. That is the harsh reality of this top level. So far this season we have not fell apart and got overrun like that. Would it have happened if Egan (and indeed Henderson) would have been in? I am not sure. We may not have sat as deep but sometimes another team just gets momentum. They could have scored more in this spell. It was bizarre as they had not looked like doing this all game and then bang, bang, bang. We were done for me but then suddenly they missed another chance and we broke away. We put another ball into the box and McBurnie scored. After this anything could have happened. I was proud we had fought back and got something. At the end it was such a mixture of emotions really. We played well enough to win, but then we have lost, then drawn. It was so bizarre. It was an exhausting rollercoaster really. What game to watch though. Many will focus on that 7-minute spell but for 70 minutes we were outstanding and on another day a team as well as Man Utd played don’t score all three shots in that spell.
Overall, today was another big step forward. We have outplayed Spurs and Man Utd for the last two games and now are disappointed not to win both games. That sums up how good we have been. We are outplaying and out footballing Premier League juggernauts. We keep this up and we will be fine and beat the lesser sides. We have a tough game at Wolves to come and the away record will get a thorough examination but after this we have a run of games against sides below us in the league. If we keep this level of play and performance then we will be absolutely fine and win far more games than we lose. At the moment I cannot knock anything (even with the 7-minute spell) we have been exceptional on and off the ball. Every player has upped their game and improved their performances. The team is playing consistently well and the football is superb to watch. We are a bit disappointed to not beat Man Utd. That sums up how great we have been.