BRUNO FERNANDES spared Manchester United more embarrassment as they came from behind to beat rock bottom Sheffield United.
Erik ten Hag’s men were behind twice but in the end a Fernandes penalty and long-range blast proved the difference, putting them ahead.
8Man Utd came from behind twice to beat Sheffield UnitedCredit: PA
8Jayden Bogle opened the scoring following a howler from Andre OnanaCredit: Getty
Then he was the supplier with a cross for Rasmus Hojlund to make it all safe.
Having made more than hard work of getting past Coventry City on Sunday this looked at one point that it could easily have gone against them too.
But superior quality showed in the end.
No doubt in Erik’s eyes this was more evidence of the resilience in his team as they fight it out for a place in the Europa League.And this just three days after their ‘gallant triumph’ over Coventry to earn a second successive FA Cup Final berth.
A game in which they lead 3-0 and eventually needed VAR and a penalty shoot-out to see them home.
The Manchester United manager was not happy about the reaction to that but this will at least have earned a few more pleasing headlines for the beleaguered boss.
Having said that if anyone thought United’s penalty shoot-out success at Wembley might have put a spring in their step last night they could think again.
8Ben Brereton Diaz put the visitors 2-1 upCredit: Getty
8Bruno Fernandes scored from the penalty spot to equalise for the second timeCredit: EPA
8Fernandes hit a stunner to give Man Utd the leadCredit: Getty
There was certainly a subdued atmosphere among the home fans – many of whom had witnessed Sunday’s affair
There was a flashback to that wretched Wembley display early on here last night as they went behind to a team who had won one league game away from home all season.
The home side did at least have a bit of a go at taking the lead themselves.
But woeful finishing and the acrobatics of recalled Blades goalkeeper Wes Foderingham was keeping them at bay.
As always Alejandro Garnacho was looking the most dangerous of United’s attacking players.
There is surely no coincidence that when Ten Hag subs him off United get worse.
Diogo Dalot has been one of the few bright lights of this season too and it was he who had the first effort last night with a shot after just 27 seconds that Foderingham tipped over.
Then Garnacho’s quick feet and brain saw him wriggle into the visitors box but the finish did not match his own build up and was denied one handed by the Blades goalkeeper.
8Rasmus Hojlund also got on the scoresheetCredit: AP
8The result spared Erik ten Hag some embarrassment following Sunday’s display against CoventryCredit: Getty
The visitors were struggling to get out of their own half, but with a bit of help from the home side they managed to take the lead.
Andre Onana was the man at fault and not for the first time this season.
There is no way the manager can claim that the former Inter Milan number one has been an upgrade on David de Gea.
The lackadaisical way he passed the ball across his own box left Dalot exposed and in darted Jayden Bogle to pick up possession and fire the ball back past the 28-year-old Cameroon international.
‘How s*** must you be, we’re winning away’ came the chat from the fans who are sticking with their team until the bitter end of their forlorn relegation battle.
The Red Devils would respond with Maguire heading home at the end of the half just as he had done at Wembley.
Garnacho crossed from the left and the centre back executed a fine flick header that saw the ball fly across Foderingham and into the far side of the goal.
Muted cheers filled the ground.
There were louder ones just five minutes after the break and they came from the corner of Old Trafford housing the Blades faithful as their side retook the lead.
This time it was Dalot half asleep as he gave the ball away.
Gustavo Hamer fed it Ben Osborn who cut a cross back from the byline which Ben Brereton Diaz turned in.
Ten Hag starred on in disbelief and decided to make a change bringing off the hapless Antony.
No cupping of the ears on this occasion.
The Red Devils were back on level terms on the hour in slightly bizarre circumstances.
Maguire was hauled down in the box by Auston Trusty and the whistle blew just as the ball was forced over the line with help of Dalot.
Referee Michael Salisbury insisted that the penalty award had to stand despite complaints.
They can rely on Fernandes in these situations as he rolled home another spot-kick for his side.
The visitors were showing some real guts and quickly responded with Brereton Diaz bursting forward and when his shot deflected off Maguire, Onana was left flat footed and the ball span just wide.
But Fernandes would come to the rescue with his second in the 80th minute a left foot rocket that Foderingham was not stopping.