If you had been told at the start of the season that newly promoted Sheffield would be aiming to add points to the board to boost their European hopes, while sat one point ahead of Manchester United after 12 games, you might not have believed it – and yet it’s true.
Manchester United will face a tough test on Sunday afternoon as they head to Bramall Lane to face an in-form Sheffield United side who currently sit fifth in the Premier League.
Last time out the Red Devils performed as we know they are capable, beating Brighton 3-1 at Old Trafford. H
Where to Watch
| When is it? | Sunday 24 November |
| What Time is Kick Off? | 16:30 (BST) |
| Where Will it Be Played? | Bramall Lane |
| TV Channel/Live Stream? | Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports PL |
| Referee? | Andre Marriner |
Team News
Sheffield United will have to make do without key man Dean Henderson as the loanee is ineligible to face his parent club. Simon Moore is likely to start in between the sticks.
John Egan, who has featured in all of the opening 12 Premier League fixtures, is a doubt with a minor calf injury.
Otherwise, it is a clean bill of health for the South Yorkshire side.
The visitors will likely welcome back captain Ashley Young after he served his one-match suspension against Brighton. His leadership and experience could be key for United if he were to return.
Luke Shaw, Axel Tuanzebe and Nemanja Matic have all returned to first-team training this week and may offer Ole Gunnar Solskjær an extra dimension of tactical choices to see off their opponents.
Scott McTominay, who suffered a knock against Brighton, is a major doubt, making the return of Nemanja Matic all the more important.
Eric Bailly, Timothy Fosu-Mensah (both knee) and Diogo Dalot have been continuing their recovery but they will be unavailable for Sunday afternoon’s fixture.
Predicted Lineups
| Sheffield United |
Moore; Basham, Egan, O’Connell; Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens; Mousset, McGoldrick. |
| Manchester United |
De Gea; Wan Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelöf, Young; Fred, Matic, Pereira; Martial, James, Rashford. |
Head-to-Head Record
The hosts’ overall record against Manchester United is more impressive than some may expect.
Out of the 93 times in which the Blades have faced up against the Red Devils in their history, they have been victorious on 34 occasions, held 15 games to a deadlock and lost the remaining 44.
In recent decades, though, the Manchester side have been dominant when these two sides have faced one and other, winning eight out of their last ten meetings.
The last match-up was in January 2016 as Wayne Rooney scored a penalty, securing a 1-0 victory in an FA Cup tie at Old Trafford.
Recent Form
Losing only one of their last seven Premier League matches, and that being a narrow 1-0 defeat to high rising Liverpool, Sheffield United are the superior side in terms of form.
The Blades have been particularly impressive at home this season, winning three out of their six games on home soil, keeping three clean sheets.
Chris Wilder’s team have only conceded nine goals in the league thus far. Only Leicester City (8) have conceded fewer.
On the other hand, Manchester United have failed to perform to expectation, winning only one and gaining only four points from six away matches this campaign.
Their only victory on the road came against another newly promoted side, Norwich City, as United ran rampant, winning 3-1.
The following week, however, they lost 1-0 to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, with the result coupled by a dismal performance on the South Coast.
Here’s how the two sides compare over their last five matches…
| Sheffield United | Manchester United |
| Watford 0-0 Sheffield United (5/10) | Newcastle 1-0 Manchester United (6/10) |
| Sheffield United 1-0 Arsenal (21/10) | Manchester United 1-1 Liverpool (20/10) |
| West Ham 1-1 Sheffield United (26/10) | Norwich 1-3 Manchester United (27/10) |
| Sheffield United 3-0 Burnley (2/11) | Bournemouth 1-0 Manchester United (2/11) |
| Tottenham 1-1 Sheffield United (9/11) | Manchester United 3-1 Brighton (10/11) |
Prediction
Sheffield United’s impressive home form, their five-game unbeaten run, and their feel-good factor might just be enough against a struggling Manchester United side.
It will likely be a tight game but the home side may just have the edge on this occasion.
Prediction: Sheffield United 2-1 Manchester United.
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