Emotions were running high on Saturday as Manchester United travelled to Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane, with the Red Devils keen to pay tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton after his passing was confirmed.
SHU: Foderingham; Thomas, Robinson, Trusty, Bogle; Hamer, Souza, Norwood, McAtee; Archer, McBurnie
MUN: Onana; Lindelöf, Evans, Maguire, Dalot; McTominay, Amrabat; Rashford, Fernandes, Antony; Højlund
Having rescued three points for Manchester United soon after the passing of Sir Alex Ferguson’s wife was confirmed, Scott McTominay insisted ahead of kickoff that United had ‘to win for Sir Bobby’ at Bramall Lane.
Perhaps it was fitting then that the Scottish international fired the Red Devils into the lead just before the half-hour mark, chesting down a fine ball from Bruno Fernandes before volleying into the bottom-right corner past an unmoved Wes Foderingham.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut just moments later, McTominay would cast the result into doubt after handling the ball inside the area. Oli McBurnie stepped up to strike from the spot, dispatching a thunderous effort past Andre Onana to restore parity in the Steel City.
Yet with thirteen minutes of regulation time remaining, Diogo Dalot arrived on scene to rescue the win in the most beautiful of fashions. Lining up a strike from 25 yards out, the Portuguese defender’s strike crashed into the roof of the net – with Foderingham unable to get a firm enough hand to the shot.
Manchester United benefit from a crucial win to honour one of England’s finest sportsmen, with the Red Devils now able to turn their attention to Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League clash at Old Trafford against FC Copenhagen.
