Three things we learned as Bruno Fernandes fires Man United to 4-2 win vs. Sheffield United | OneFootball

Manchester United looked to put the embarrassment of their capitulation in the FA Cup semi-final vs. Coventry City behind them when they hosted Premier League strugglers Sheffield United at Old Trafford.

With so many absentees within the ranks due to injuries, Ten Hag started Andre Onana in goal with a defensive four of Diogo Dalot, Casemiro, Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka ahead of the Cameroonian.

Scott McTominay dropped out of the team and was replaced by Christian Eriksen, who partnered Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes in midfield.

Rasmus Hojlund led the line with Antony and Alejandro Garnacho on either side of him. Marcus Rashford was not part of the matchday squad due to a physical setback. Here are three things we learned from Manchester United’s 4-2 win against Sheffield United.

Dominant first-half performance

United were easily the dominant side in the opening 45 minutes and the side would have felt slightly disappointed to head down the tunnel with the score at 1-1.

Ten Hag’s men had the lion’s share of possession (83%) and controlled proceedings while mostly limiting the Blades to rare and unfruitful overtures at Onana’s goal.

United only faced three shots, with two of these being on target. In comparison, the Sheffield goalkeeper, Foderingham, faced 17 shots and was required to immediately intervene on seven separate occasions.

Despite being in the driving seat, United were sucker punched in the 35th minute. Onana’s poor ball to Dalot was intercepted by Jayden Bogle, who made no mistake from close range to give his team the lead.

However, the Red Devils were not shaken or fazed as has largely been the case all season. They maintained their calm and composure and got their reward just seven minutes later via Maguire. The England international headed in the ball to restore parity. Maguire’s goal means that he also now scored in back-to-back matches for the first time in his Old Trafford career – the defender’s renaissance tour continues.

Garnacho had two clear-cut opportunities to score when through on goal but in both instances, the Argentine winger was foiled by Foderingham. Eriksen and Fernandes also had a few sights at goal between them, as did Mainoo.

Defensively, United were solid and had an answer for almost every question Chris Wilder’s men asked of them. Maguire and Casemiro were solid as a unit and didn’t let the rival forwards get any joy.

Earlier today, a report covered by The Peoples Person suggested that possession-based football is the way the United owners led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his key men like Dave Brailsford and newly-appointed technical director Jason Wilcox want to play moving forward.

If the report holds true and Ten Hag has indeed been directed to implement this strategy, evident in the match against Sheffield, fans might be in for an exciting shift from the chaotic scenes they’ve grown accustomed to this season.

Amad should clearly be ahead of Antony in the pecking order

In yet another game, Antony failed to justify his inclusion in the starting XI. Against Coventry last weekend, he came on from the bench and did next to nothing during the time he was on the pitch.

In fact, he courted controversy and became the topic of ridicule and criticism when he elected to cup his ears at the Coventry stars after Hojlund’s winning penalty.

With Rashford out, Ten Hag’s decision was to either pick Amad or the ineffective Brazilian once more. The United boss opted for the latter and it blew up in his face.

Apart from some little combinations with Wan-Bissaka on the right flank to help the team keep possession, Antony didn’t offer much else. Not to say that he made a mistake or anything like that but considering his price tag and the expectations on his shoulder, more is expected of him. It was not a surprise that the 24-year-old was the first to be taken off just before the hour mark.

Contrast Antony’s uninspiring display to Amad’s when the Ivorian was thrust into the proceedings. Amad contributed more to United against Sheffield than his teammate. He retained the ball well and looked like a threat any time he got on it.

Amad also displayed a willingness to go on the outside or hit the byline, contrary to Antony whose preference is to always cut inside to attempt to cut in and get a shot away on his left foot.

Another aspect of Amad’s play that was very noticeable was his movement, both on and off the ball. He wasn’t at all static. The forward was constantly on the move – something which helped stretch the Sheffield backline and open up spaces for the rest to exploit. This was very helpful considering just how deep the Blades positioned themselves.

It was not lost on many people just how much the forward line function as a cohesive unit with Amad in there. He makes it all tick.

Amad brings much more to the table compared to Antony – a fact that continues to be proven to be true with each passing game. There is little benefit to be gained in giving Antony significantly more minutes at his expense.

Fernandes hitting form at the right time for United

United captain Fernandes registered a brace against Sheffield and it was a crucial double from the club’s perspective. His first was an equaliser for the 20-time English champions, who had gone behind again just five minutes after the break.

Fernandes then produced a thunderbolt strike in the 81st minute, which turned it around for United and gave them a much-deserved lead.

The Portuguese playmaker didn’t finish there as he also registered an assist for Hojlund’s goal and fourth for United against Sheffield.

Fernandes is hitting form at just the right time for United, while the club is vying for a Europa League spot. Courtesy of Newcastle’s loss at the hands of Crystal Palace, United are now back in sixth position in the Premier League.

The United skipper has scored or registered 26 goals this season.

To put into context how on-fire he has been, the 29-year-old has more goal contributions to his name than Kevin de Bruyne and Martin Odegaard.

In United’s last eight games, Fernandes has scored eight times and has also managed three assists. During a tumultuous period for the club, he is once again showing why he is the main man and the team’s undisputed leader.

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