Premier League: Man United 4 Sheffield United 2
Bruno Fernandes was on the mark twice as, not for the first time in this season that has bordered on the disastrous for a dysfunctional Manchester United, he came to the rescue of his beleaguered manager Erik ten Hag.
Twice the visitors led, through Jayden Bogle and Ben Brereton Diaz, and twice United had to claw their way back, via Harry Maguire and a Fernandes penalty.
But as they appeared to be stalling towards a potentially embarrassing point, United were rescued by Fernandes who found space on 80 minute before delivering an unstoppable 20-yard strike into the Sheffield goal.
Five minutes later, as the visitors pressed for a third goal, Fernandes crossed for Rasmus Hojlund and the Danish international converted from inside the six yard-box. United, for the first time all night, could breathe easily.
Ten Hag had spent the build-up to the game berating media for their coverage of his team’s unimpressive FA Cup semi-final victory over Championship side Coventry on Sunday, labelling the criticism “embarrassing” and a “disgrace.”
It was an odd response from the Dutchman, especially given the furious reaction from United fans on the day to the way his side threw away a three-goal lead and, possibly, a sign of the pressure mounting on his position.
The opening hour at Old Trafford will have done little to improve his mood as United, despite enjoying a glut of possession and pressure against one of the worst teams in Premier League history, somehow contrived to twice gift the lead to the visitors.
Both times, the manner in which ten Hag’s defence conceded the goals was, to echo the phrase of the week, an “embarrassment" and “disgrace.”
It took United 34 minutes to show
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