Manchester United gave a lesson in how never to defend when they allowed the Premier League's bottom club Sheffield United to seal a 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
Oliver Burke scored the winner via deflection off Axel Tuanzebe, but it was the hapless state of the defending in the build-up to Burke's shot that had Man United fans watching on with horror.
Sheffield United have had no luck all season...
Maybe they were due a goal like this :grimacing:
Oliver Burke gives The Blades the lead for the second time at Old Trafford! pic.twitter.com/xapKikRbZF
- Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 27, 2021
Harry Maguire intercepted a pass across the face of the goal by poking the ball right at David de Gea, who gently passed it directly to John Lundstram in space. No idea why.
Then Tuanzebe had a chance to clear the ball but he tamely gave the ball straight back to Sheffield United. And eventually - after being given so many opportunities to shoot - the Blades took one and grabbed a 2-1 lead, which they'd hold to full-time.
Quite why Manchester United's players decided to give their opponents so much space in and around the box - or chose not to blast the ball into Row Z at any point - is something the lord alone knows.
I honestly think that's the worst 15 seconds of defending I have ever seen in my life.
- Manchester United Snapshot (@ManUtdSnapshot) January 27, 2021
Woeful kick by De Gea, if in doubt just kick it out for a set piece, rather than put us in further danger.
Watch Martial when he comes into shot, if that doesn't say "cba with defending", I don't know what will. https://t.co/9VBv9o2mZX
- Joe Dyson :beginner: (@JoeDyson99) January 27, 2021
This is quite an, erm, interesting take on 'defending' pic.twitter.com/MedbYflmaT
- Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) January 27, 2021
When you should clear the ball to Row Z but want to up your passing accuracy. #MUNSHU https://t.co/Sq9YyR6A43
- Yousef Teclab (@TeclabYousef) January 27, 2021
Great analysis from @rioferdy5 and @petercrouch of this goal and summed it all up. No desire, ball watching, hands behind back. Deserves the loss for that alone. Go again Saturday against arsenal https://t.co/U39ICLtgxn
- Aaron Lee Rickards (@7Rickards) January 27, 2021
It was a comedy of errors to end a lifeless performance from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side. Kean Bryan gave the visitors a shock lead with a first-half header, following De Gea's failed attempt to punch the ball clear.
There's no luck in that goal when you allow the attacker to receive the ball in exactly the same position in the 18 yard box, unchallenged, twice within 20 seconds. https://t.co/Nw9VIPcwnb
- Ben Mitchell (@BMitchell1988) January 27, 2021
Utds 'we are back' brigade has been slightly embarrassing because we have rode our luck but not as embarrassing as this goal. Up there with the worst I've seen ever. https://t.co/e361FdfMiK
- Stuart Armstrong (@Monkeysweatpan1) January 27, 2021
It's like when you put your controller down to answer door on fifa ♂️:joy:
- Corey Bellamy (@_Corey_Jay) January 27, 2021
But many fans assumed when Maguire equalised with a thumping second-half header that United would go on to take the three points.
Instead, all the points are going to Sheffield, as the Blades scored their first win at Old Trafford since 1973. The result put Chris Wilder's side on eight points and ensured Manchester City sit alone top of the Premier League table.
Topics: Football News, Football, Manchester United, Sheffield United, Premier League
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