On a significant day in the history of MU, with Sir Bobby Charlton passing away at the age of 86, Erik Ten Hag’s team secured a hard-fought victory against the bottom-placed Sheffield United. Regardless of how the quality of that win may be assessed, it was their tribute to a legend, lifting them up the table.
The modern-day MU may not have the ability to honor Sir Bobby Charlton’s memory. Inconsistent form, a lack of resilience on the field, and mediocrity in every aspect have left the club far from the standards that Sir Bobby Charlton worked so hard to establish. When Erik ten Hag’s team struggled to win against the bottom-ranked Sheffield United the night after Sir Bobby Charlton’s passing, they did not deserve to be compared to the great teams of the past.
It’s not that they lack effort, but rather their inconsistency. Winning laboriously against a team at the bottom of the table is the level of quality displayed by the current MU. Fortunately, a long-range shot from McTominay deflected off an opponent’s leg and found the net, and Diogo Dalot’s somewhat fortuitous goal earned them three points, speaking volumes. Ten Hag had to rely on a late brace from Scott McTominay two weeks ago as his team came from behind to beat Brentford.
Last night, at Bramall Lane, Ten Hag had a hero who seemingly dropped from the sky, Dalot. Meanwhile, those expected to shine, like Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes, remained consistent, performing on the international stage but underwhelming at the club level. Nonetheless, MU needed McTominay’s moments of brilliance, with the midfielder scoring his third goal in two matches and opening the scoring for MU in this game, even though he later made an error that led to a penalty, which Oli McBurnie converted to equalize from the spot. MU also required Dalot’s decisive and precise finish with a beautifully struck right-footed shot in the 77th minute.
Regardless, Ten Hag has secured two consecutive wins in the Premier League after a challenging start to the season. With these valuable three points, MU has risen to 8th place in the standings, trailing league leaders Man City by 6 points (15-21). However, these victories have not been aesthetically pleasing. The match against Brentford was far from smooth, and the game against Sheffield was no different. MU players experienced an emotionally charged night against opponents who were always ready to challenge and embarrass the club that once ruled the Premier League.
However, we must also acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of the MU players. In particular, Harry Maguire overcame a second challenge. Playing alongside Jonny Evans in central defense, he rose to his feet after being brought down by Vinicius Souza in the first half to deliver an outstanding performance. It was heartwarming to see Maguire receiving support from the fans of both teams. Regardless of MU’s future, he has faced numerous unfair criticisms.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana will also feel much better thanks to his performance. The Cameroonian goalkeeper made four excellent saves in this match. In contrast, Rashford remained silent as he has throughout the season. Throughout the match, this striker had only one off-target shot in the second half. Fernandes continued his underwhelming form, playing haphazardly, losing the ball, and being ineffective in his passes. He sent a free-kick soaring over the crossbar before the end of the first half.
But this was never a football festival. Ten Hag said, “We didn’t meet Sir Bobby Charlton’s standards in the first half, but we did a bit better in the second half. A legend and a giant have passed away. I went to meet some players, and they got motivation from Sir Bobby to play better.” In any case, MU just had to win in this situation, and they can evaluate the good and bad later. Three points are the most valuable, as they boost the league standings and a morale lift for the entire team.
