Manchester United will barely have any new reinforcements to alleviate their injury-riddled squad as only Mason Mount is likely to be fit in time to make the bench against Burnley.

Despite the lack of available players and moments of shakiness, United were able to eventually find a way to defeat Sheffield United on Wednesday night as Bruno Fernandes inspired them to a 4-2 win.

The game is still expected to come too early for Marcus Rashford who has once again hit the headlines for speaking out on the perceived abuse he has suffered this campaign.

Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Anthony Martial are all still sidelined.

However, there has been some good news on that front as Erik ten Hag announced in his pre-match press conference that Martinez, Shaw and Martial have started outdoor training and are scheduled to resume team training next week.

He said, “I think we will see Shaw, Martinez and Martial all in the season. They progress well.”

With so many injuries still at the club, it is fully expected that there will be quite a few youth players on the bench, including Ethan Wheatley who made history midweek by becoming the 250th academy graduate to make his debut for the Old Trafford side.

Taking all this into account, we believe that Andre Onana will obviously take up his usual position between the sticks.

The Red Devils have little choice but to field Harry Maguire and Casemiro as the centre back pairing. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot are the only fit senior full backs so the only real question is who will start on which flank.

Wan-Bissaka will most likely take up his role on the right with Dalot switching to the left due to his greater ability to adapt to his his weaker side.

One of the shining lights of the season, Kobbie Mainoo will keep his regular place while McTominay’s likely unavailability will allow Christian Eriksen to enjoy a rare consecutive starts.

Despite Mount’s return, it is highly improbable he would be thrown straight back into the starting line up, so we can expect Wednesday’s hero, Bruno Fernandes to start as the attacking midfielder.

The striker is also clear as Rasmus Hojlund will aim to build on his return to goalscoring form and Alejandro Garnacho will surely start once more on the left, with Rashford being sidelined.

The only doubt is whether Ten Hag will persist with Antony, who once more was poor against Sheffield United.

Ten Hag has also spoken out on giving Amad Diallo more chances and after impressing in a 35 minute cameo midweek, we predict that he will finally get his chance to start, for the first time since 2021.

With possession-based football likely to be on show once again, the Ivorian could hold the key as his combination play could help United get past a deep block.

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The post Predicted Man United XI vs Burnley: Amad Diallo to get rare start appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

United produced a superb performance across both halves and demonstrated resilience to come back twice and eventually go on to secure the win and clinch all three points.

Goals from Harry Maguire, a Bruno Fernandes brace and a fourth strike in the 85th minute from Rasmus Hojlund were enough to see United emerge victorious vs. the Blades, who were obviously keen on causing a massive upset.

With Marcus Rashford injured and not part of the matchday squad, Ten Hag decided to start Antony in his favoured right-wing position while tasking Alejandro Garnacho with playing on the left.

Despite not getting on the score sheet, Garnacho was brilliant but the same can’t be said of his teammate Antony.

The Brazilian struggled to make an impact in the game and apart from a few combinations with Aaron Wan-Bissaka that helped United maintain possession, didn’t offer much.

Antony was not at all a goal threat and hardly ever showed a willingness to take on his man. Another frustrating element of his game was his preference to always cut on and look for a shot with his left foot even in instances where going on the outside or hitting the byline were far better options.

He was very uninspiring and it was not a shock that he was the first to be taken off by Erik ten Hag before the hour mark. He was replaced by Amad Diallo, who was far better and made a difference in the team.

Antony registered a personal pass completion rate of 83% while United as a team had a pass accuracy of 89%.

The 24-year-old lost six of the ground duels he delved into. He was also dribbled past on two occasions by rival Sheffield United players.

Antony failed to register a shot on target or to challenge Foderingham.

Antony's stats vs. 20th placed side in the Premier League:

83% pass accuracy
6 ground duels lost
2 times dribbled past
0 shots on target
0 assists
0 goals

No words. pic.twitter.com/xysCh4Qz8E

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 24, 2024

He had 55 total touches of the ball and only completed two of the four dribbles he embarked on. The South American forward lost possession 13 times.

(Additional stats obtained from Sofascore)

Going forward, it’s important that Ten Hag stick with Amad rather than waste away the Ivorian on the bench while Antony continues to receive underserved playing time.

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With so many absentees within the ranks due to injuries, Ten Hag started Andre Onana in goal with a defensive four of Diogo Dalot, Casemiro, Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka ahead of the Cameroonian.

Scott McTominay dropped out of the team and was replaced by Christian Eriksen, who partnered Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes in midfield.

Rasmus Hojlund led the line with Antony and Alejandro Garnacho on either side of him. Marcus Rashford was not part of the matchday squad due to a physical setback. Here are three things we learned from Manchester United’s 4-2 win against Sheffield United.

Dominant first-half performance

United were easily the dominant side in the opening 45 minutes and the side would have felt slightly disappointed to head down the tunnel with the score at 1-1.

Ten Hag’s men had the lion’s share of possession (83%) and controlled proceedings while mostly limiting the Blades to rare and unfruitful overtures at Onana’s goal.

United only faced three shots, with two of these being on target. In comparison, the Sheffield goalkeeper, Foderingham, faced 17 shots and was required to immediately intervene on seven separate occasions.

Despite being in the driving seat, United were sucker punched in the 35th minute. Onana’s poor ball to Dalot was intercepted by Jayden Bogle, who made no mistake from close range to give his team the lead.

However, the Red Devils were not shaken or fazed as has largely been the case all season. They maintained their calm and composure and got their reward just seven minutes later via Maguire. The England international headed in the ball to restore parity. Maguire’s goal means that he also now scored in back-to-back matches for the first time in his Old Trafford career – the defender’s renaissance tour continues.

Harry Maguire has scored in back-to-back games for the first time in his Man Utd career.

He's scored two goals against Sheffield United in the Premier League, the joint-most he has managed against a single opponent in the competition.

Loves a goal against his Boyhood club. pic.twitter.com/VPDn28J8H5

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 24, 2024

Garnacho had two clear-cut opportunities to score when through on goal but in both instances, the Argentine winger was foiled by Foderingham. Eriksen and Fernandes also had a few sights at goal between them, as did Mainoo.

Defensively, United were solid and had an answer for almost every question Chris Wilder’s men asked of them. Maguire and Casemiro were solid as a unit and didn’t let the rival forwards get any joy.

Earlier today, a report covered by The Peoples Person suggested that possession-based football is the way the United owners led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his key men like Dave Brailsford and newly-appointed technical director Jason Wilcox want to play moving forward.

If the report holds true and Ten Hag has indeed been directed to implement this strategy, evident in the match against Sheffield, fans might be in for an exciting shift from the chaotic scenes they’ve grown accustomed to this season.

Amad should clearly be ahead of Antony in the pecking order

In yet another game, Antony failed to justify his inclusion in the starting XI. Against Coventry last weekend, he came on from the bench and did next to nothing during the time he was on the pitch.

In fact, he courted controversy and became the topic of ridicule and criticism when he elected to cup his ears at the Coventry stars after Hojlund’s winning penalty.

With Rashford out, Ten Hag’s decision was to either pick Amad or the ineffective Brazilian once more. The United boss opted for the latter and it blew up in his face.

Apart from some little combinations with Wan-Bissaka on the right flank to help the team keep possession, Antony didn’t offer much else. Not to say that he made a mistake or anything like that but considering his price tag and the expectations on his shoulder, more is expected of him. It was not a surprise that the 24-year-old was the first to be taken off just before the hour mark.

Contrast Antony’s uninspiring display to Amad’s when the Ivorian was thrust into the proceedings. Amad contributed more to United against Sheffield than his teammate. He retained the ball well and looked like a threat any time he got on it.

Amad also displayed a willingness to go on the outside or hit the byline, contrary to Antony whose preference is to always cut inside to attempt to cut in and get a shot away on his left foot.

Another aspect of Amad’s play that was very noticeable was his movement, both on and off the ball. He wasn’t at all static. The forward was constantly on the move – something which helped stretch the Sheffield backline and open up spaces for the rest to exploit. This was very helpful considering just how deep the Blades positioned themselves.

It was not lost on many people just how much the forward line function as a cohesive unit with Amad in there. He makes it all tick.

Amad brings much more to the table compared to Antony – a fact that continues to be proven to be true with each passing game. There is little benefit to be gained in giving Antony significantly more minutes at his expense.

Fernandes hitting form at the right time for United

United captain Fernandes registered a brace against Sheffield and it was a crucial double from the club’s perspective. His first was an equaliser for the 20-time English champions, who had gone behind again just five minutes after the break.

Fernandes then produced a thunderbolt strike in the 81st minute, which turned it around for United and gave them a much-deserved lead.

The Portuguese playmaker didn’t finish there as he also registered an assist for Hojlund’s goal and fourth for United against Sheffield.

Fernandes is hitting form at just the right time for United, while the club is vying for a Europa League spot. Courtesy of Newcastle’s loss at the hands of Crystal Palace, United are now back in sixth position in the Premier League.

The United skipper has scored or registered 26 goals this season.

To put into context how on-fire he has been, the 29-year-old has more goal contributions to his name than Kevin de Bruyne and Martin Odegaard.

Bruno Fernandes has scored or assisted 24 goals this season, more than:

M. Odegaard (20)
K. De Bruyne (19)
J. Musiala (19)
B. Silva (15)
D. Szoboszlai (11)

“Having a bad season…” pic.twitter.com/1e6rA30IvK

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 24, 2024

In United’s last eight games, Fernandes has scored eight times and has also managed three assists. During a tumultuous period for the club, he is once again showing why he is the main man and the team’s undisputed leader.

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The post Three things we learned as Bruno Fernandes fires Man United to 4-2 win vs. Sheffield United appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

United are set to make their way to Wembley to meet Mark Robins’ Coventry in the semi-final of the FA Cup on Sunday.

Amid a very disappointing campaign that currently has the Red Devils in seventh position in the Premier League after 12 top-flight defeats, lifting the FA Cup currently represents the last chance for Erik ten Hag and his players to restore some of the lost pride.

The Dutchman himself has said on several occasions that the FA Cup is do or die courtesy of how events have panned out this season.

Winning the domestic competition could also go a long way in boosting the 54-year-old’s claim to remain in the Old Trafford dugout even as uncertainties persist over his long-term future as manager of the club.

Needless to say, United will be heading into the game as heavy favourites compared to Coventry, who will almost certainly have to pull off something special to book their progress in the final.

However, Ten Hag will undoubtedly be wary of the threat posed by Robins’ side, who completed a dramatic comeback against Wolves in the quarter-final stage.

Amad Diallo, whose last-minute strike against Liverpool secured United a semi-final spot, spoke to club media and explained that Coventry are not to be taken lightly despite being Championship opposition.

The Ivorian, who played against Coventry last term while on loan at the Stadium of Light also noted a potential reunion with his former Sunderland teammate Ellis Simms.

Looking ahead to the clash, Amad said, “We are excited to play that game against Coventry. “I will meet Ellis Simms, who was my team-mate, the striker. I think my team-mates are ready for that game. We hope to win it and go to the final.”

“It was an unbelievable day for me after that goal [in the quarter-final]. I scored the last-minute goal, against a big team like Liverpool, so I was happy. It gives me a lot of confidence after that goal. I trained every day in training to be ready for every game so I was ready for that game. If I play, or I don’t play, every time, I am ready on the bench. I was excited and that goal gave me so much confidence.”

On his last meeting vs. Coventry, he added, “I remember we lost that game 2-1 but I scored a last-minute goal.”

“They are a young team, Coventry and a very exciting team. I don’t know which team they’ve had this season but I remember, last season, they had a very young team and the striker Viktor Gyokeres, who went to Sporting. They’re a very strong team, who play football and attack and just attack.”

The winger insisted that there are no excuses going forward and at this stage of the season, United will need to win every game.

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