Oliver Burke’s deflected strike in the 74th minute was enough for a well-earned three points for Sheffield United at Old Trafford.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men were riding the crest of a wave after Sunday’s FA Cup win against Liverpool, only to be brought crashing down to earth on a night when many expected them to go back top of the league.
Ex-Manchester City youth prospect Kean Bryan gave the visitors a shock lead that former Blades defender Harry Maguire cancelled out, only for Burke’s heavily-deflected strike to seal the visitors a shock 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
These Bladesmen. ❤️
Our first win at Old Trafford since December 1973. 👏 pic.twitter.com/vN8IFWv2q7
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) January 27, 2021
Even in such an unpredictable season, few could have foreseen this result.
The Blades had just five points to show from their first 19 games – the worst haul in Premier League history – and had not beaten the Red Devils since 1993, with their previous Old Trafford victory coming in 1973.
Kean got them off the mark from a corner as Billy Sharp’s push on David De Gea went unpunished midway through a first half in which Anthony Martial saw an equaliser ruled out.
The ineffective hosts eventually clawed one back through Maguire’s header from a corner, but Solskjaer’s comeback kings faltered in embarrassing fashion.
Sheffield United capitalised on some atrocious defending and Burke saw his effort rifle in off Axel Tuanzebe, sealing just a fourth win of the season in all competitions for his side.