Sheffield United 2-3 Manchester United: Player Ratings as Marcus Rashford Shines in Dramatic Victory

18 December 2020 01:16

Manchester United survived scares at the start of the first half and the end of the second to beat Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in an entertaining 3-2 win in the Premier League.

The Red Devils fell behind early on when Oliver Burke rushed Dean Henderson in possession, causing the goalkeeper to lose his footing and allow David McGoldrick to tap in.

United stepped up their performance and found an equaliser after 26 minutes, after a long ball in behind from Victor Lindelof found Marcus Rashford. The England international cushioned the ball perfectly before lashing it past Aaron Ramsdale.

United took the lead seven minutes later when a splendid Paul Pogba pass found Anthony Martial to poke home at the second attempt.

The visitors extended their lead early in the second half with a wonderful team goal, as Rashford doubled his tally thanks to some poor goalkeeping from Ramsdale. Sheffield United pulled one back late on after Lindelof headed a corner-kick onto the head of McGoldrick and into the net.

The Blades almost stole a point at the end when Lys Mousset smashed a volley towards goal from the edge of the box but Henderson redeemed himself with an acrobatic save to seal the three victory.

SHEFFIELD UNITED

1. Goalkeeper and Defenders

Ramsdale was poor | LAURENCE GRIFFITHS/Getty Images

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) - 3/10 - A shocking performance as he seemed to instil fear and nervousness into his back line.

Chris Basham (CB) - 5/10 - Moved into midfield after Berge got injured and struggled to have any real effect on the game.

John Egan (CB) - 5/10 - Struggled with the dynamism of the visitors' attack but not much he could do about any of the goals.

Jack Robinson (CB) - 4/10 - Was run ragged by Rashford all night. A rough evening that he'll want to forget sooner rather than later.

George Baldock (RWB) - 5/10 - Another who couldn't contain Rashford on the night but all the goals came from the other side of the pitch.

Enda Stevens (LWB) - 5/10 - Did relatively well against Greenwood and did okay going forward too. Just not his night.

2. Midfielders

Ampadu was anonymous in midfield | Pool/Getty Images

Sander Berge (CM) - N/A - Only lasted a couple of minutes before pulling up with a hamstring injury.

Ethan Ampadu (CM) - 5/10 - Got overrun in midfield and couldn't cope with Pogba. A learning curve for the Chelsea loanee.

John Fleck (CM) - 5/10 - Came close to doubling their lead early on but pretty anonymous after that. Got an assist from a corner at the end.

3. Forwards

McGoldrick scored twice on the night | PETER POWELL/Getty Images

David McGoldrick (ST) - 6/10 - Wasn't fantastic with his overall play but comes away with two goals on the night and will be generally pleased with the performance.

Oliver Burke (ST) - 5/10 - Closed down Henderson to force the error for the goal but barely saw the ball after that.

4. Substitutes

Phil Jagielka - 3/10 - A rough night for the veteran, who came on after ten minutes but then got substituted himself just after an hour. Run ragged all night by Rashford.

Lys Mousset - 4/10 - Had a big effort at the end of the game saved by Henderson that would have won them a point.

Rhian Brewster - N/A

MANCHESTER UNITED

5. Goalkeeper and Defenders

Henderson had a rocky game | Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Dean Henderson (GK) - 5/10 - Henderson made a big error at the start of the game and looked shaky throughout the first half, but made a huge save at the end of the game to secure all three points.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB) - 5/10 - Didn't have much to do throughout and prevented all attacks down his side.

Victor Lindelof (CB) - 6/10 - Unlucky with his header coming off McGoldrick at the end to make it 3-2, but otherwise was excellent again.

Harry Maguire (CB) - 6/10 - Led well from the back and kept the Sheffield United attack quiet for the most part.

Alex Telles (LB) - 5/10 - Good performance going forward with crisp passing, but looked nervy defensively especially towards the end.

6. Midfielders

Nemanja Matic (CM) - 5/10 - Looks like his legs had well and truly left him in the first half, but a steady performance after the break.

Paul Pogba (CM) - 8/10 - A top drawer performance from the Frenchman showed why there is always so much 'bla bla bla' surrounding his future. Got an assist and heavily involved in the third goal.

Bruno Fernandes (AM) - 6/10 - A quiet night for the Portuguese magnifico but still created a few chances. First time this season United have won without him getting a goal or assist.

7. Forwards

Mason Greenwood (RW) - 6/10 - Worked hard all night and always a threat, but never got the rub of the green in the attacking third.

Marcus Rashford (LW) - 9/10 - The best player on the pitch. Always making things happen and scored two huge goals. The Red Devils' best player.

Anthony Martial (ST) - 7/10 - Worked hard throughout and finally got himself on the scoresheet. Grabbed an assist for good measure and looked back to his usual self.

8. Substitutes

Juan Mata (RW) - N/A

Donny Van de Beek - N/A

Scott McTominay - N/A

Source: 90min