5 talking points from Manchester United’s 2-1 Premier League win vs Sheffield United

Manchester United secured all three Premier League points as they defeated Sheffield United 2-1 on Saturday evening.

Manchester United kicked off against Sheffield United on Saturday evening as Erik ten Hag bid to try and restore some level of consistency in the side’s results.

It was Scott McTominay who opened proceedings with a lovely finish to hand The Reds a lead, but not before Sheffield equalised via penalty.

Read More: Player Ratings – Sheffield United 1-2 Manchester United (Premier League)

The second half saw United start to create many more chances, with both McTominay and Marcus Rashford failing to capitalise on multiple opportunities.

An unlikely goalscorer in Diogo Dalot was the man who broke the 1-1 deadlock, scoring a beautiful goal from range in the 75th minute that ultimately handed United victory.

Here are five talking points from the tie.

#1 – Ten Hag’s reward bares mixed fruit

After his heroics a fortnight ago against Brentford, Scott McTominay was rewarded with a rare start by Erik ten Hag.

It was a decision that immediately bared fruit, with McTominay taking a Bruno Fernandes cross on the chest before finishing the ball low and past Wes Foderingham in the net to hand United a lead.

However, celebrations were soon cut short after the Scottish international conceded a penalty with an unfortunate handball that Ollie McBurnley duly converted.

#2 – United’s post-goal concentration is lax

When McTomiany scored, it was a goal admittedly against the run of play. It was a nice finish, but Sheffield United were certainly the better team in the opening half, and the 1-1 scoreline after 45 minutes was not unfair to Ten Hag’s Reds.

Once again, the club conceded within minutes of scoring, which has been a theme throughout the campaign so far. Of their last 14 goals scored, six of these have been followed by conceding within six minutes.

Clearly, the squad suffer from concentration problems. This has been evident on a number of occasions so far this season, and something that really needs to change.

#3 – Højlund still searching for the goal

In the first half, Rasmus Højlund was so close to scoring his first Premier League goal before Foderingham denied the Danish striker with a great save towards the end of the first half.

He also had another good chance in the second half to net the goal he’s been searching for, but it stays elusive, for now.

He was substituted just after 60 minutes with Anthony Martial taking his place.

#4 – Diogo Dalot… WOW

Diogo Dalot’s Manchester United career got off to a slow start, and at points, it seemed that he would never quite live up to the expectations that were set upon him when he signed for United in 2018.

However, under Erik ten Hag, he has flourished. Despite a period where Aaron Wan-Bissaka ousted him from the XI, Dalot has reclaimed his position at right-back, becoming integral once again to the side.

This was further proved against Sheffield United, where he scored a fantastic curling effort from more than 25 yards out to hand Ten Hag a 2-1 lead on the night with 15 minutes left to play.

#5 – Two wins on the trot

The Brentford and Sheffield United wins signal the first time this season that the club have won two Premier League games in a row.

With the club now having played nine fixtures in the competition, it represents a chance for Ten Hag to start to establish some balance at the club.

Next up in the competition… Manchester City.