Man United pegged back by Sheffield

Source:AFP Published: 2019/11/25 19:33:40

Late equalizer seals dramatic 3-3 draw at Bramall Lane


Marcus Rashford of Manchester United celebrates scoring their third goal during the Premier League match against Sheffield United on Sunday in Sheffield, England. Photo: VCG

 

Manchester United and Sheffield ­United shared the spoils after a dramatic 3-3 draw at Bramall Lane on Sunday, with the home side grabbing a late equalizer after a three-goal blitz from the visitors in just seven minutes.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team, outplayed for most of the game by the promoted side, trailed 2-0 after a first-half goal from John Fleck and a second-half effort from Lys Mousset.

Chris Wilder's team had been hungrier and more incisive all over the pitch but, from nowhere, United were back in the game when 19-year-old Brandon Williams scored his first senior goal in the 72nd minute.

Substitute Mason Greenwood, 18, equalized minutes after coming on and with United now flying forward, Rashford swept home in the 79th minute.

But still the drama was not over, with Oliver McBurnie controlling the ball and firing past David de Gea to level at 3-3 in the 90th minute. The goal stood after a VAR check for handball.

The result means Manchester United are ninth in the Premier League table, nine points behind fourth-placed Chelsea while Sheffield United are sixth, a point ahead.

Earlier, Solskjaer's men were indebted to goalkeeper De Gea, who produced a stunning double-save to keep the score at 0-0 early in the game.

Solskjaer's team looked rattled, with Williams making a couple of early errors and Phil Jones, making his first league appearance of the season, looking like an accident waiting to happen.

Jones was at fault for the opener. A long ball down the right wing put him under pressure but he should have seen off Mousset. Instead, the Frenchman outmuscled Jones and cut the ball back for John Lundstram, who saw his effort well saved by De Gea but the goalkeeper could do nothing to keep out Fleck's follow-up.

Fred and Andreas Pereira were unable to establish any control in midfield. United's forwards were barely able to get into the game, mustering just one shot in the whole of the first half.

Solskjaer replaced Jones with Jesse Lingard at halftime but Sheffield ­United deservedly doubled their lead in the 52nd minute.

Manchester United lost the ball on the left and Fleck delivered an inch-­perfect pass to Mousset, who bent a right-footed shot past the diving De Gea from outside the box.

With the game drifting, Manchester United found a foothold when a Daniel James cross into the box fell to Williams, who lashed home on the half-volley.

Solskjaer threw on Greenwood to replace Pereira, meaning United were operating with an attacking quartet of Greenwood, Rashford, Anthony Martial and James.

Greenwood slid in Rashford's cross, to make it 2-2 and then Rashford himself got on the scoresheet.

But just when it appeared Manchester United had grabbed a morale-boosting win, substitute McBurnie struck, controlling the ball on his chest and firing past De Gea.



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