Man Utd ratings: Embarrassing Phil Jones hauled off at half-time while Dan James shines in crazy 3-3 at Sheffield United
MANCHESTER UNITED came from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 at Sheffield United before a late Oli McBurnie goal survived a VAR check to earn the hosts a point. The pressure will mount on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the 3-3 scoreline flattered his lazy looking team. Three goals – from Brandon Williams, Mason Greenwood and Marcus […]
MANCHESTER UNITED came from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 at Sheffield United before a late Oli McBurnie goal survived a VAR check to earn the hosts a point.
The pressure will mount on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the 3-3 scoreline flattered his lazy looking team.
Three goals – from Brandon Williams, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford – inside seven second-half minutes cancelled out John Fleck’s and Lys Mousset’s 19th and 52nd minute strikes respectively to see United lead 3-2 with just 11 minutes left on the clock.
But McBurnie’s eight yard effort on the 90 minute mark saw justice done on a night where – bar a ten minute spell – United fell woefully short when compared with their brilliant hosts.
Solskjaer’s men move to ninth in the Premier League after the draw and here’s what SunSport’s William Pugh thought of United’s individual performances in Yorkshire.
DAVID DE GEA – 7
Excellent double save from Lundstram and McGoldrick in the first half. Could not do much about either of Blades’ goals.
VICTOR LINDELOF – 4
Did not cover himself in glory along with his other defensive colleagues.
Will escape much of the criticism as Phil Jones on the other side of the three was so so so much worse.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 5
As captain against his old team, he spent the entire first-half moaning at his teammates. Hardly inspiring on a worrying night for United.
PHIL JONES (subbed off – 45 mins) – 2
Woeful. First Premier League start of the season and most United fans will hope it is his last.
Bullied off the ball by Mousset for Blades opener on 20 minutes and lost his head with needless fouls and awful positioning for the rest of the half.
Hauled off at half-time and it’s a surprise it took that long.
AARON WAN-BISSAKA – 5
Sheffield United mostly attacked down the opposite flank so was not called on too much.
But looked ineffective going forward which – when playing as a wing-back in the five at the back formation – will disappoint his manager.
BRANDON WILLIAMS – 4
Dominated by George Baldock down Sheffield United’s right in the first half.
Booked early in the second-half for foul on brilliant Baldock again.
Looked out of his depth.
Wonderful strike in the second-half sparked United’s comeback and was the only positive.
FRED – 4
Once again left everyone wondering how such a player is starting in centre-midfield for Man Utd.
Outplayed by every one of the Blades’s midfielders.
ANDREAS PEREIRA – 5 (subbed off, 73 mins)
Ok. Ran around a bit. Better than Fred – just.
Replaced by Greenwood who immediately scored.
DAN JAMES – 8
Was the most industrious of United’s attacking players but that’s not saying much.
Counter attacked with pace on a couple of occasions but very little end product early on.
Played key role in United’s flurry of goals in the second-half – bagged assist for Rashford’s.
ANTHONY MARTIAL – 4 (subbed off, 85 mins)
Absolutely invisible for the entire game other than a speculative effort from 30 yards on the hour mark.
Not helped by non-existent service from his teammates but still.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 7
Lacklustre apart from the crazy ten minute spell from 70 minutes.
As one of United’s highest earners, he was threatening to disappoint in game he should have been grabbing by the scruff of the neck.
Came alive out of nowhere to save his reputation tonight.
Delightful ball for Greenwood’s equaliser and then couldn’t miss United’s third after James had put it on a plate for him.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
Subs
JESSE LINGARD (on for Jones) – 6
Tried to make things happen. Was far from the worst man in a black shirt tonight.
MASON GREENWOOOD (on for Pereira) – 8
Fantastic instant impact. Scored the equaliser just moments after coming on. Looked hungry as his team chased an undeserved win.
AXEL TUANZEBE (on for Martial) – 5
Did not have much time to make an impact. Was brought on to firm things up but McBurnie bagged equaliser soon after his introduction.
