Manchester United seek vital three points away at Bramall Lane

Manchester United travel to Sheffield on Thursday night to face rock-bottom Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Chris Wilder’s side have only managed to pick up a single point so far this season and are on course for one of the worst Premier League campaigns of all time. Following last season’s impressive ninth placed finish, the new campaign has been nothing short of a disaster for The Blades.

The magnitude of the game continues to increase for Manchester United following Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Wolves on Tuesday evening, meaning a win could send the Red Devils as high as fifth in the table with an additional game in hand.

Former Blades ‘keeper Dean Henderson is expected to start between the sticks for Solskjaer’s reds with David De Gea benched. Anthony Martial will be looking to peform as he did last time out against Wilder’s side, netting a hat-trick in June earlier this year.

Throughout the entire Premier League, only Sheffield United have scored less goals at home than Manchester United but no team has scored more away goals than Ole’s side this season.

When it comes to away form, Manchester United sit pretty at the top of the table with five wins out of their last five games and 16 goals scored. Their next five away fixtures might prove to be difficult, with Leicester City, Liverpool and Arsenal on the agenda.

Solskjaer spoke about Sheffield’s Norwegian midfielder Sander Berge before the game, “I know more or less everything about Sander [Berge]. He arrived and probably needed a little time to get used to the Premier League, its pace and intensity. Now Sheffield United can see they signed a very good player. “

 Jack O’Connell and Kean Bryan are likely to miss out for the hosts, whilst Uruguayan Edinson Cavani is not fit to start but will make the bench for the visitors. A more-or-less fully fit squad for Manchester United heading into the busy Christmas period.

Edinson Cavani is a doubt for #mufc tomorrow night. In other news, Marcos Rojo is injured (again) and Phil Jones, the other injury-prone defender, is now due back in January, rather than December. #mufc

— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) December 16, 2020

Following Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Jose Mourinho’s Spurs, if Manchester United win their two games in hand (against Sheffield United and Burnley respectively), they can climb as high as 2nd in the table. Title challengers, who would’ve thought?

Sheffield United will be seeking their first three points of the campaign against the Manchester giants, but will need frontmen David McGoldrick and Oli McBurnie to light a spark.

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