Player ratings as Fernandes magic drags Red Devils through

Manchester United managed a 4-2 win over struggling Sheffield United on Wednesday evening despite twice falling behind at Old Trafford.

Andre Onana’s howler handed Sheffield United an opener with ten minutes left of the first half, Jayden Bogle taking advantage to put the Blades ahead. But Harry Maguire grabbed his second goal in two games with a near-post header to equalise before the break.

Ben Brereton Diaz fired the visitors back in front shortly after half-time, but Man Utd found another leveller courtesy of Bruno Fernandes’ penalty. The Portugal international then produced a brilliant strike and set one up for Rasmus Hojlund as the hosts eventually sealed all three points.

How the game unfolded

After a difficult weekend at Wembley, Manchester United almost made the dream start to settle the nerves at Old Trafford. Diogo Dalot, who scored in the reverse fixture, saw his floated long-range effort tipped over the crossbar by the returning Wes Foderingham after just 30 seconds.

Alejandro Garnacho was next to test the Sheffield United goalkeeper and could have put Man Utd ahead with 23 minutes played. Some brilliant work from the Argentine created a shooting opportunity from just ten yards out, but he couldn’t pick out the corner from close range.

Despite being utterly dominant in the first half, Man Utd found themselves a goal down ten minutes before the break courtesy of a dreadful Onana error. The Cameroon international’s weak pass was intercepted by Bogle just outside the penalty area and the full-back strided forward and calmly slotted home to give the Blades the lead against the run of play.

However, the Red Devils did find a response shortly before the half-time whistle as Maguire struck against his former employers. Garnacho’s whipped cross was headed goalward by the centre-back, nestling in the far corner to level shortly before stoppage time.

Man Utd should have taken the lead just moments later but Foderingham denied the hosts once again. A long ball over the top was cushioned into Garnacho’s path by Dalot but the youngster fired his effort too centrally to beat the Sheffield United stopper.

Garnacho’s wastefulness proved costly just six minutes after the restart as Sheffield United stunned the home crowd by taking the lead once again at Old Trafford. A neat move was finished off by Brereton Diaz, who lifted Ben Osborn’s accurate cross high above Onana in the Man Utd goal.

But Man Utd showed resolve to produce a second equaliser of the match…