Manchester United will look to capitalise on their pre-international break win when they face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday.
Gameweek 9 of the 2023/24 Premier League season kick-starts with a blockbuster Saturday that will feature two derbies. The action will begin with the Merseyside Derby before Chelsea and Arsenal lock horns at Stamford Bridge. The day’s fixtures will round off at Bramall Lane, where Sheffield United and Manchester United will go head-to-head.
Sheffield United have endured a horrific return to the Premier League, as they are rock bottom in the division. The Blades have managed only one point from their eight outings thus far, bearing a toothless look on both ends. Paul Heckingbottom is thus sweating over his future, with his men losing their last four outings.
Speaking of managers under pressure, Erik ten Hag is feeling the heat at Manchester United. The Dutchman would have hoped to continue the ascent this term. But the Red Devils have failed to hit the mark thus far, losing six of their ten games across all competitions. However, Manchester United went into the international break with positive vibes after coming from behind to beat Brentford 2-1.
Sheffield United eked out a narrow 2-1 win the last time they visited Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Sheffield United
Saturday team news! 🗞️
“George maybe not, Ozzy yeah. We’re low on numbers so even if it’s for the last 10-15 minutes, if it’s not going to harm them, we’ll be using them.”#SHUMUN || @OfficialFPL pic.twitter.com/D7jff11a53
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) October 19, 2023
Paul Heckingbottom has greeted positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Manchester United on Saturday, the Sheffield United manager should be bereft of the services of six first-team players.
The good news is Ben Osborn, George Baldock, and William Osula should be available after regaining fitness during the international break. But Chris Basham (ankle), Rhys Norrington-Davies (thigh), John Egan (ankle), Max Lowe (ankle), Tom Davies (hamstring), and Daniel Jebbison (illness) are on the sidelines.
With so many centre-backs unavailable, the central defensive unit of Auston Trusty, Jack Robinson, and Anel Ahmedhodzic picks itself. Wes Foderingham will take his spot between the sticks, with Sheffield United lining up in a 3-4-2-1 formation in front of him.
The midfield unit should feature Oliver Norwood and Vinicius Souza, with the duo aiming to keep things tight in the middle of the park. The pair’s presence will enable Gustavo Hamer and James McAtee to express themselves better and exploit the vulnerabilities of the Manchester United defence. Finally, Cameron Archer will spearhead the Sheffield United attack this weekend.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Foderingham; Trusty, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson; Bogle, Norwood, Souza, Thomas; Hamer, McAtee; Archer
Manchester United
Unlike his counterpart in the Sheffield United dugout, Erik ten Hag has greeted bad news from the international break ahead of the trip to Bramall Lane. The Manchester United manager will be without eight first-team players.
Casemiro is the latest absentee, with the Brazilian international picking up an ankle injury during his duty with the Selecao. The experienced midfielder has joined Luke Shaw (muscle injury), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Lisandro Martinez (foot), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (hamstring), Kobbie Mainoo (ankle), and Amad Diallo (knee) on the sidelines.
ℹ️ The boss has ruled @Casemiro out of Saturday's trip to Sheffield United, but there is positive news on four other Reds. #MUFC || #PL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 20, 2023
In addition, Jadon Sancho remains unavailable due to his run-in with ten Hag. The Englishman might have played his final game for Manchester United. Meanwhile, the offensive unit should feature Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, and Rasmus Hojlund.
As for the midfield department, Sofyan Amrabat is an automatic pick as the holding midfielder in the absence of Casemiro. Scott McTominay should be his partner, with the Scot getting his chance to shine after scoring a match-winning brace against Brentford.
The defensive unit has witnessed positive updates, with Raphael Varane and Sergio Reguilon being available. The duo will be automatic picks at the back, joining Victor Lindelof in the defensive quartet. Finally, Andre Onana will take his usual spot between the sticks.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Reguilon; Amrabat, McTominay; Fernandes, Mount, Rashford; Hojlund
Key Stats
- Sheffield United are winless in six home matches versus Manchester United in all competitions since a 2-1 victory in the FA Cup fifth round in February 1993. The Blades have won two of the 10 Premier League meetings: 2-1 at home on the opening day of the inaugural 1992-93 season and by the same score at Old Trafford in their most recent encounter in January 2021.
- Manchester United have scored in 24 successive league and cup games against Sheffield United since a 1-0 top-flight defeat at Bramall Lane 51 years ago.
- Sheffield United have conceded two or more goals in their last seven Premier League games, shipping 21 in total.
- Manchester United are currently on a run of nine successive Premier League victories against promoted sides.
- Paul Heckingbottom has lost 14 of his 18 Premier League games in charge, which equates to a 78% defeat percentage.
Player to Watch
Scott McTominay
2023/24 has been a season from hell for Scott McTominay thus far. The 26-year-old has fallen in the pecking order under Erik ten Hag. So, with chances coming few and far between, he had to capitalise on the fleeting moments on the pitch.
McTominay did that with aplomb ahead of the international break, scoring a match-winning brace to ease the pressure on ten Hag. With Casemiro unavailable, the Scottish international will have a rare opportunity to feature in the starting eleven. A game-changing performance can go a long way in scripting a turnaround for him at Manchester United.
Prediction
Sheffield United 0-2 Manchester United
Manchester United might have struggled thus far this season, but the game against Sheffield United is a mismatch. The Blades have flattered to deceive in the first two months of the new campaign. They are the odds-on favourite to go back down to the EFL Championship.
A return to home comforts might not be enough to herald a turnaround in fortunes. So, Manchester United should ease to a 2-0 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday, with Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund delivering the goods.
