Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes got here to his aspect’s rescue with two targets in a 4-2 house victory over the Premier League’s backside membership Sheffield United on Wednesday simply when extra bother loomed for beleaguered supervisor Erik ten Hag.
Twice United trailed with Jayden Bogle and Ben Brereton Diaz each on course for the guests however Fernandes helped avert one other damaging consequence.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, NWSL extra (U.S.)
He levelled from the penalty spot within the 61st minute after a foul on Harry Maguire, scorer of United’s first equaliser.
Fernandes then smacked house a scorching left-footed shot to edge his aspect in entrance earlier than establishing Rasmus Højlund to lastly subdue their battling opponents.
“On the finish we got here again. We put ourselves ready the place it is robust to win video games. But in addition it reveals a little bit of character,” the Portuguese midfielder mentioned.
“We’re scoring a number of targets. It is nearly that compactness we have to have as a workforce.”
Martin Rickett/PA Photos by way of Getty Photos
It was one other far-from-convincing show from Ten Hag’s aspect though victory moved United into sixth place to maintain them within the hunt for a European qualifying spot.
“Many positives right now,” Ten Hag mentioned. “The resilience to combat again after dropping two instances. But in addition there have been negatives. We gave it away, it could actually’t occur, unacceptable, now we have to be taught from this.”
Time is almost up for Sheffield United who’ve solely 16 factors from 34 video games and may very well be relegated on the weekend.
United’s FA Cup semifinal win on penalties was dubbed embarrassing in some quarters after squandering a 3-0 lead in opposition to second-tier Coventry Metropolis and being spared defeat solely by a controversially disallowed purpose in additional time.
Ten Hag got here out combating this week, branding the criticism disgraceful however the Dutchman gave the impression to be staring into the abyss as his aspect once more conjured bother of their very own making.
They may and will have been nicely forward as possibilities went begging and Sheffield United keeper Wes Foderingham pulled off a number of nice saves, one from Diogo Dalot within the opening minute and one other from teenager Kobbie Mainoo.
However United keeper André Onana then gifted the guests the lead within the thirty fifth minute with a dreadful cross out that was intercepted by Bogle who ran by to attain.
United have been stage earlier than half-time as Alejandro Garnacho, one of many shining lights in a poor season, whipped in a low cross that Maguire delicately glanced in together with his head.
The second half was solely 5 minutes previous when United’s defence was breached all too simply with Ben Osborn slicing again a cross for Brereton Diaz to stab excessive into the online.
United regarded shocked however have been handed a lifeline when Maguire went down within the field and Fernandes stepped as much as ship his kick into the nook.
However United have been handed a lifeline when Maguire went down within the field and Fernandes stepped as much as ship his kick into the nook. Fernandes then confirmed his class with an excellent end and United may lastly breathe straightforward as Hojlund, who scored the successful penalty on Sunday, steered in Fernandes’ cross.
“He’s actually main the workforce. I am very completely happy together with his efficiency,” a grateful Ten Hag mentioned of his skipper.