[Short Analysis Thread: Sheffield Utd 2-3 Man Utd]

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I'll keep this thread very short & focus only on the key moments. I am a bit short on time & I am also experimenting with shorter thread formats, based on the feedback I have received. Hope you still like it. Feel free to suggest/criticise!

Thread should be complete in 20 mins.
If you watch Man United, you know that they are absolutely lethal & devastating when given space in behind or on the counters. It’s when they face low blocks (or parked buses, if you will) that they struggle. Sheffield United have an excellent manager + staff & know this.
What do Sheffield United do? Play a high line. Against Man United. Against Rashford, Martial, Pogba & Fernandes. Well, okay. It can still work out - Sheffield United were excellent last season (especially defensively) & things could still click.
And things do seem to click at first - Sheffield Utd take an early lead. Man Utd tried playing out of the back from a goal kick & they don't do it very well. So this is where Maguire receives the first pass from Henderson. It seems like he can play it to Telles & especially Matic
He decides against it & plays it back to Henderson. The pass is fine but the issue is, Henderson has no time to take a first touch here. And he has to realise that but doesn't. He takes a first touch & his subsequent pass/clearance is closed down excellently by Burke.
He decides against it & plays it back to Henderson. The pass is fine but the issue is, Henderson has no time to take a first touch here. And he has to realise that but doesn't. He takes a first touch & his subsequent pass/clearance is closed down excellently by Burke.
He decides against it & plays it back to Henderson. The pass is fine but the issue is, Henderson has no time to take a first touch here. And he has to realise that but doesn't. He takes a first touch & his subsequent pass/clearance is closed down excellently by Burke.
Burke is on the ground but he shows great awareness to somehow play McGoldrick in who is left with the simplest of finishes.

Goal. Sheffield Utd 1-0 Man Utd, McGoldrick 5'
Burke is on the ground but he shows great awareness to somehow play McGoldrick in who is left with the simplest of finishes. Goal. Sheffield Utd 1-0 Man Utd, McGoldrick 5'
Burke is on the ground but he shows great awareness to somehow play McGoldrick in who is left with the simplest of finishes. Goal. Sheffield Utd 1-0 Man Utd, McGoldrick 5'
A takeaway from here is the difference between a right footed LCB & a left footed LCB. If there is a left footed CB in place of Maguire, he takes it on his preferred left foot & finds it easier to play Telles or Matic.

That said, this goal is almost entirely on Henderson.
Anyway, returning to Sheffield Utd's high line. Man Utd are now behind, as they almost always are in away games of late. And they start to exploit the high line.
Exhibit 1: Ironically, this time Man Utd play out from the back to great effect. Matic finds some space in midfield & plays a lovely pass through towards Martial. Ramsdale is very quick off his line. It was called offside anyway.
Exhibit 1: Ironically, this time Man Utd play out from the back to great effect. Matic finds some space in midfield & plays a lovely pass through towards Martial. Ramsdale is very quick off his line. It was called offside anyway.
Exhibit 1: Ironically, this time Man Utd play out from the back to great effect. Matic finds some space in midfield & plays a lovely pass through towards Martial. Ramsdale is very quick off his line. It was called offside anyway.
Now this doesn't mean Ramsdale 'saves' Sheffield Utd there: any high line requires an excellent sweeper keeper. Ramsdale does well there but that is by design & not completely by necessity. And regarding the offside call, it is actually very tight & may not have been offside.
Exhibit 2: This time, it comes from the other side. Again, called offside. [My broadcasters didn't show the replay so I don't know whether this was actually offside or not]

Exhibit 2 is only seconds after exhibit 1. Sheffield Utd stick to their high line.
Exhibit 2: This time, it comes from the other side. Again, called offside. [My broadcasters didn't show the replay so I don't know whether this was actually offside or not]Exhibit 2 is only seconds after exhibit 1. Sheffield Utd stick to their high line.
Exhibit 2: This time, it comes from the other side. Again, called offside. [My broadcasters didn't show the replay so I don't know whether this was actually offside or not]Exhibit 2 is only seconds after exhibit 1. Sheffield Utd stick to their high line.
Exhibit 3: This time, a bit more centre-left. Fernandes plays an excellent pass to put Rashford through. Rashford somehow misses but again, it was called offside. And this time it was a clearer offside.
Exhibit 3: This time, a bit more centre-left. Fernandes plays an excellent pass to put Rashford through. Rashford somehow misses but again, it was called offside. And this time it was a clearer offside.
Exhibit 3: This time, a bit more centre-left. Fernandes plays an excellent pass to put Rashford through. Rashford somehow misses but again, it was called offside. And this time it was a clearer offside.
Only 19 minutes in and looking at the offside count, it's clear that Man Utd are looking to exploit the high line. And Sheffield Utd think it is working. Why wouldn't they? They have managed to catch the Man Utd attacker offside in each case.

But all it takes is one pass.
And that one pass comes from an unlikely source - centre back Lindelof. Excellent pass from his own half. Notice how deep Rashford's run starts.
Rashford's first touch is exquisite & images can't capture just how good it is. After the first touch, it's not a very difficult chance & he powers home. All about the pass & the first touch. And the high line, of course.

2nd image shows the offside call & the defensive line.
Rashford's first touch is exquisite & images can't capture just how good it is. After the first touch, it's not a very difficult chance & he powers home. All about the pass & the first touch. And the high line, of course. 2nd image shows the offside call & the defensive line.
Rashford's first touch is exquisite & images can't capture just how good it is. After the first touch, it's not a very difficult chance & he powers home. All about the pass & the first touch. And the high line, of course. 2nd image shows the offside call & the defensive line.
Goal. Sheffield Utd 1-1 Man Utd, Rashford 26'
One turns into two quite quickly. From the same side & the same play. Different passer & different scorer this time though.
This time, it comes from another lovely pass but from Pogba. Again, notice where Martial's run starts from.
The pass seems to be running away from Martial & he actually fails to collect it in his first attempt. However, the onrushing Ramsdale fails to do so as well & Martial is alert to stab in the loose ball into an empty net.

Goal. Sheffield Utd 1-2 Man Utd, Martial 33'
The pass seems to be running away from Martial & he actually fails to collect it in his first attempt. However, the onrushing Ramsdale fails to do so as well & Martial is alert to stab in the loose ball into an empty net. Goal. Sheffield Utd 1-2 Man Utd, Martial 33'
The pass seems to be running away from Martial & he actually fails to collect it in his first attempt. However, the onrushing Ramsdale fails to do so as well & Martial is alert to stab in the loose ball into an empty net. Goal. Sheffield Utd 1-2 Man Utd, Martial 33'
Early in the second half, Man United increase their lead with a beautiful move that starts in their own half. A poor throw in from Sheffield Utd is straight to Pogba, who does brilliantly well to get past 2 opposition players & plays it to Fernandes.
Early in the second half, Man United increase their lead with a beautiful move that starts in their own half. A poor throw in from Sheffield Utd is straight to Pogba, who does brilliantly well to get past 2 opposition players & plays it to Fernandes.
Early in the second half, Man United increase their lead with a beautiful move that starts in their own half. A poor throw in from Sheffield Utd is straight to Pogba, who does brilliantly well to get past 2 opposition players & plays it to Fernandes.
Fernandes plays a first time pass to Greenwood who gets fouled. The ref plays advantage seeing Rashford pick up the loose ball & find Fernandes.
Fernandes plays a first time pass to Greenwood who gets fouled. The ref plays advantage seeing Rashford pick up the loose ball & find Fernandes.
Fernandes plays a first time pass to Greenwood who gets fouled. The ref plays advantage seeing Rashford pick up the loose ball & find Fernandes.
Fernandes plays in Martial who is in a good position. Now, I don't know if this is a bad first touch from Martial or if he intended to find Rashford but that doesn't matter.

Rashford scores.

Goal. Sheffield Utd 1-3 Man Utd, Rashford 51'
Fernandes plays in Martial who is in a good position. Now, I don't know if this is a bad first touch from Martial or if he intended to find Rashford but that doesn't matter. Rashford scores. Goal. Sheffield Utd 1-3 Man Utd, Rashford 51'
Fernandes plays in Martial who is in a good position. Now, I don't know if this is a bad first touch from Martial or if he intended to find Rashford but that doesn't matter. Rashford scores. Goal. Sheffield Utd 1-3 Man Utd, Rashford 51'
I would like to point out a very similar counter-attack Man United had in the first half that too resulted in a great chance but was saved well by Ramsdale.

Pogba is again at the start of it but this time it's him winning the ball back.
Martial has a lot of space but does well to exploit it.
Martial has a lot of space but does well to exploit it.
Martial has a lot of space but does well to exploit it.
Rashford should probably score but Ramsdale saves well.
And late on, Man Utd made it harder for themselves by conceding a 2nd McGoldrick goal. This time it's from a corner. Lindelof gets his head first to the ball. However, it bounces of McGoldrick & goes in.

Goal. Sheffield Utd 2-3 Man Utd, McGoldrick 87'
Question marks over Henderson once again - the initial header is in the 6 yard box. Also, the corner is inswinging, which in theory should be easier to collect since it is swinging in & not out. Henderson stays rooted to his spot.
I forgot to point out - there were also question marks for Ramsdale over Man Utd's 3rd goal. Rashford's finish isn't very good & more or less straight at Ramsdale.

Not a good game for goalkeepers.
We have reached the end of the thread. I tried making it shorter & more concise. Focussed only on the big moments.

The next replies will just be tags, if any. If you think there is an account that may be interested in this, feel free to tag them.

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