Football Features

    Sheff Utd 3-3 Man Utd: Full player ratings as Jones is run ragged in six-goal thriller

    By Ben Green

    Published: 18:42, 24 November 2019

    Manchester United and Sheffield United play out a dramatic 3-3 draw in the Premier League at Bramall Lane.

    Chris Wilder’s side asserted authority in the early exchanges and were duly rewarded for their efforts after John Fleck directed the ball beyond David de Gea in the 19th minute. The South Yorkshire club continued to attack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men and soon made it two through Lys Mousset just after the break.

    Despite offering very little throughout the match, the Red Devils managed to pull a one back with 20 minutes to go through an expertly taken Brandon Williams strike, and it would soon be 2-2 thanks to another teenager in Mason Greenwood, who tucked home just five minutes later.

    And the comeback was complete moments later, with Marcus Rashford getting in on the act and scoring what he must have thought was the winning goal, but using their famed spirit the hosts managed to equalise and rescue a point courtesy of Oli McBurnie.

    Here’s how the players rated at Bramall Lane:

    Sheffield United

    Simon Moore – 5 – Had initially looked comfortable between the sticks in place of Dean Henderson as Man Utd struggled to create, but would see three hit the back of his net in just seven minutes as the visitors nearly pulled off an unlikely smash and grab.

    George Baldock – 6 – Attacked with real zest on the flank, Baldock was an ever-present in opposition territory and kept Rashford exceptionally quiet in the first-half. His only real blemish was losing Daniel James for Man Utd’s third goal.

    Chris Basham – 5 – Another who never shied away from getting forward in his unorthodox overlapping centre-back role, but Wilder’s backline just lost concentration for a moment and the visitors duly capitalised.

    Phil Jagielka – 6 – Looked like the Jagielka of old for much of the game, controlling the back line and stifling Martial, but a horror 10 minutes would see Sheffield Utd almost fall apart, with Greenwood getting beyond the ex-England international for Man Utd’s equaliser.

    Jack O’Connell – 5 – Another who looked comfortable for the majority of the game, but when Man Utd turned on the charm, Sheffield Utd were all at sea.

    Enda Stevens – 6 – The attacking full-back, like Baldock, pushed high up the pitch and operated effectively as a winger.

    John Lundstram – 7 – Industrious and tenacious, Lundstram looked smooth darting around the pitch and spraying passes. He nearly netted a brilliant volley in the first half but De Gea was equal to his effort.

    Oliver Norwood – 7 – Controlled the game for large spells alongside his midfield teammates, Norwood was an energetic axis and fluid operator.

    John Fleck – 8 – Battled valiantly in the middle of the park and formed a rhythmic trident with Norwood and Lundstram, who collectively stifled the efforts of Fred and Andreas Pereira. Fleck was particularly threatening in the final third and followed up perfectly to break the deadlock.

    David McGoldrick – 8 – Brought energy and intensity to Sheffield Utd’s frontline with his consistent closing down and runs in behind the Man Utd backline. The seasoned forward’s link-up play was also very fluid, providing an excellent outlet for his teammates.

    Lys Mousset – 9 – Mousset was a real nuisance for the Man Utd defence, making non-stop jinking runs and asserting pressure, particularly on Jones which culminated in the opening goal. The 23-year-old was also rewarded for his efforts in the final third with his fourth goal of the season in the second half before being forced off with an injury.

    Substitutes:

    Oliver McBurnie (for Mousset 68) – 7 – Netted the all-important equalising goal in the dying embers.

    Billy Sharp (for McGoldrick 78) – 5 – Provided energy for the final 10 minutes as Sheffield Utd went in search of an equaliser.

    Callum Robinson (for Basham 83) – 6 – Set up McBurnie for Sheffield Utd’s third goal.

    Solskjaer discusses ‘positive’ draw

    Manchester United

    David De Gea – 6 – The Spaniard made an exceptional double save in the first half but perhaps should have provided a stronger wrist for McBurnie’s equaliser.

    Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 5 – Put his body on the line and looked more comfortable in the second half when he reverted back to his favoured right-back position. A few mistimed challenges also blighted his copybook.

    Victor Lindelof – 4 – Had a difficult time trying to deal with Sheffield Utd’s frontline, who put continued pressure on him and Maguire.

    Harry Maguire – 4 – It was a tough afternoon for Solskjaer’s defence as Wilder initially executed his game plan to perfection, with the long balls proving an absolute nightmare to deal with.

    Phil Jones – 2 – Came storming out of the traps and crunching into challenges but looked clumsy and uncomfortable trying to deal with Sheffield Utd’s long passes, as well as Mousset’s persistent harrying. Hooked at the break.

    Brandon Williams – 5 – Looked nervy from the off as Baldock pushed up high but showed defiance in the second half to begin the comeback for Man Utd with a well-wrought finish.

    Andreas Pereira – 3 – A performance littered with mistakes, the Brazilian looked lost in the centre of the pitch and had a hard time trying to dictate the tempo and initiate attacking moves.

    Fred – 5 – Looked a little lost without Scott McTominay alongside him. The Brazilian was overrun in the middle of the park by the relentless pressing from Sheffield Utd’s midfielders.

    Daniel James – 5 – His final product was horribly off for large parts of the game but provided an excellent assist for Rashford’s goal, steaming past Stevens before laying it on a plate for his teammate.

    Anthony Martial – 4 – The Frenchman looked isolated up top and struggled to break free from Sheffield Utd’s backline. A performance to forget for the incisive forward.

    Marcus Rashford – 6 – The England international had a frustrating afternoon but managed to continue his current purple patch by netting in his fifth consecutive game.

    Substitutes:

    Jesse Lingard (for Jones 45) – 6 – Looked far more threatening when introduced in the second half and played a huge part in Man Utd’s turnaround.

    Mason Greenwood (for Pereira 73) – 7 – Came on and netted a well-taken goal. Transformative stuff from the youngster.

    Axel Tuanzebe  (for Martial 84) – N/A – Came on for the final few minutes as Solskjaer attempted to calm the chaos.

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