Sheffield United and Manchester United are rivals in a match scheduled for Thursday night, at 20:00, in the 13th round of the Premier League. It is an important match for the “devils”, who come after a white draw with Manchester City, a lucky result for Solskjaer’s team. Instead, Sheffield is one of the clear favorites for relegation this season.
United is on the 9th place in the Premier League (goal difference 19-17) and comes after a series of five unbeaten matches, with four successes and an active draw. Even though it was eliminated from UCL, the “devils” band keeps a good tone and is only 5 points away from the first place, so the stakes for victory are high on Thursday night. Although it seemed that Solskjaer’s job was in danger, the bosses seemed satisfied with the internal trajectory of the band at Old Trafford.
Instead, Sheffield United is the last ranked in the Premier League (goal difference 5-21) and is the only team in the league that has not won a game yet! Chris Wilder’s “steelmen” are in big trouble and if they don’t start winning soon, the rescue mission will become impossible. Currently, 7 points separate the white-reds from the 17th position. Without sound individuality, Sheffield starts with a second chance in any match!
United come after good away performances, with Southampton (3-2) and West Ham (3-1), but made only 3-3 on the previous visit on Brammall Lane. United came back from 0-2 in that match, led 3-2, but Ollie McBurnie equalized for the hosts, in overtime! Otherwise, the “devils” have won 7 of the last 8 games against Sheffield United and it is normal to bet on them once again. The hosts come after modest performances with Chelsea (1-4), West Ham (0-1), WBA (0-1), Leicester (1-2) and Southampton (0-3), and the chances of a surprise are minimal.
Bryan, O’Connell and McBurnie will not be able to play in Wilder’s camp on Thursday night, but there is a chance that the Scottish striker will be recovered in time. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not have Phil Jones and Edinson Cavani at his disposal. Coming after 9 consecutive trips with at least two goals scored, United will dominate the hostilities and should make a difference due to the superior individual quality. With 5 successes on foreign soil, Bruno Fernandes is the best player of Manchester in the current season, he being the “brain” of the team in the middle zone.
Sheffield United: Ramsdale; Basham, Egan, Stevens; Baldock, Berge, Ampadu, Fleck, Lowe; Mousset, Burke
Coach: Chris Wilder
Manchester United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles; McTominay, Fred; Mata, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial
Coach: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Since 1930, it has never happened that a team loses 11 of the first 12 stages in the Premier League;
For the first time since 1985, United won the first 5 away games of the season;
75% of United’s away goals were scored in the second half;
In 7 of the last 9 matches of Manchester United, at least three goals have been scored;
There are 14 consecutive matches since the last victory obtained by Sheffield United;
PREDICTION: Manchester Utd to win @ 1,48
