BEVERLY HILLS, January 28, (THEWILL) – The English Premier League provided evidence to back up its status as the best League in the world, especially in terms of sheer entertainment quality and history-making. That the match between rejuvenated second-placed Manchester United and rock-bottom side Sheffield United ended in Sheffield’s favour at Old Trafford was, quite simply, the shock result of the season.
To buttress how immensely shocking it was, a bit of history will suffice. It is the first Sheffield United win at Old Trafford in 48 years. Especially notable is the gulf in quality and form this year between both sides, with Sheffield being in such a remarkably abysmal form and United playing with unstoppable flair and winning almost every game.
Although they still require 10 points to be out of the threat of relegation, the boost this will give Sheffield’s confidence, that they went to the Theatre of Dreams, against one of the best sides this season and found enough will to muscle out a win, is something even the most ardent Sheffield supporter would not have dreamt of.
No one was counting on Manchester United remotely getting a draw against Sheffield. Most of the conversation was that after United conquer Sheffield, they will take back the top spot in the Premier League and prepare to stand their ground against the last team to beat them in the league, in their November loss to Arsenal.
Only for the near-impossible to happen and a shock 2-1 home loss to Sheffield, the final result.
As is usual of the Red Devils recently, they conceded first and would have believed that when Harry Maguire cancelled out that opening goal from Kean Bryan, it was going to be business as usual and any of their prolific goalscorers like Paul Pogba, of recent, or regular names like Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford or Edinson Cavani will deliver on the day.
In the end, though, it was a deflected strike from Sheffield substitute Oliver Burke that secured only the second league win of the season for the Blades. Against all reasonable predictions for the game, the team which previously had just one win prior to the tie, that had lost 16 of their 19 matches and shipped 31 goals in those matches beat one of the most serious title contenders of the season.
When United’s neighbours Manchester City thrashed West Bromwich Albion 5-0 on Tuesday, United knew they needed to win to keep their title aspirations flawless. Rather Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side delivered a lifeless performance and saw their 13-match unbeaten run in the top flight come to a drastic end that was as shocking as it was unbelievably underwhelming.
Their total four shots on target for the entire 90 minutes belied the over 75 per cent of the possession they registered for the game ensuring that they failed to beat Sheffield United at home in a league game for the first time since August 1975. It was not the kind of response expected of United but that is the beauty of the League.
The hosts were as undeserving of a scrap out of that game as the result show. Like most losers, they will bemoan refereeing decisions, but the Sheffield keeper Ramsdale was mostly on a vacation with the host of their pointsmen, Fernandes, Pogba and Rashford were all completely anonymous. And, again, there was no obvious sign of a plan to break down a visiting team who were always going to sit deep and defend tight.
This was not the first time that United played as if Solskjaer’s plan was to put as many of his best attacking players on the pitch as possible with the hope that they will find a way to eke out a victory. Against the worst team in Premier League history (which is what the Blades’ record had them as prior to kick-off) who defended resolutely, that was simply pedestrian.
In post-match comments, Solskjaer said: “That magic was missing, that little bit extra.” However, any team relying on magic to unlock Sheffield United surely has questions to answer and fast.
As the dust from this loss settles, City’s one point lead at the top can become four if they win their game in hand, which coincidentally is also against Sheffield.
No doubt, going against another Manchester team after passing the Old Trafford test is harsh for Sheffield. Yet, their result from winning against the Red Devils should be extremely beneficial to the confidence of the Sheffield team and give them some survival hope.
Replicating that success at the Etihad will be extremely difficult but if the premiership has proven anything, then it is that everything is possible.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
