Sheffield United 3-3 Manchester United: Oli McBurnie has the last word on a remarkable afternoon

The primeval roar which emanated from The Kop as Sheffield United prepared to get this match underway set the tone for an equally formidable performance.
The Star's Sheffield United writer James Shield reports on today's match at Bramall LaneThe Star's Sheffield United writer James Shield reports on today's match at Bramall Lane
The Star's Sheffield United writer James Shield reports on today's match at Bramall Lane

Chris Wilder's players were more determined, more focused and more effective than those representing their namesakes from Manchester. Barring, unfortunately, for a seven minute period after the interval.

After beating Arsenal here earlier in the season, United appeared to be on the verge of another famous victory when goals from John Fleck and Lys Mousset put them deservedly in the driving seat. But three by Ole Gunnar Solksjaer's side, who until Brandon Williams reduced the deficit had barely laid a glove on the hosts, proved the catalyst for a remarkable comeback by the three-time European champions. Substitute Mason Greenwood's equaliser silenced Bramall Lane for the first time all evening before Marcus Rashford fired the visitors in front.

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It could - probably should - have been the end of United. Lesser squads, ones without the same sense or purpose and fibre - would surely have crumbled. But Oli McBurnie, summoned from the bench when Mousset limped-off, pounced on the stroke of normal time to ensure Chris Wilder's team secured a draw. It was the very least they deserved.

The Star's Sheffield United writer James Shield. Picture Scott MerryleesThe Star's Sheffield United writer James Shield. Picture Scott Merrylees
The Star's Sheffield United writer James Shield. Picture Scott Merrylees

"It was good," Fleck said. "But we're disappointed to give some of the goals we did away."

With competition rules preventing the on-loan Dean Henderson from facing his parent club, United were forced to make a second change to their starting eleven when John Egan was ruled-out by injury. His replacement at centre-half, the vastly experienced Phil Jagielka, mopped-up a couple of vaguely threatening attacks during the early skirmishes. But it was Wilder's men, displaying an impressive lack of respect for their opponents, who landed the first heavy blows. Indeed, were it not for David de Gea's agility, United would surely have taken an 11th minute lead when John Lundstram and then David McGoldrick were both frustrated by the Spaniard. So it was really no surprise when, seven minutes later, that it exactly what the hosts did when Mousset charged past the hapless Phil Jones and squared the ball back for Lundstram. When his shot was saved, Fleck turned home on the follow up. The Scot went wild. So did United's bench. And as for the crowd? Well. The ground was shaking. So too, were the visitors, who nearly fell two behind when McGoldrick, who later saw a long range effort gathered by De Gea, was inches away from connecting with a Fleck set-piece.

Rattled, ragged and seemingly reluctant to try and match United physically, Solksjaer's men finally mustered a shot on target in the 19th minute; with Moore gathering Anthony Martial's angled drive.

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The hapless Jones was withdrawn at the break but if Mousset was disappointed to to see his totally ineffective marker make way, it did not show because, in the 52nd minute, he doubled United's lead. Seizing possession in midfield, the former AFC Bournemouth striker tapped a shot pass to Fleck whose technique and vision meant he was able to send Mousset scampering through before caressing a low shot beyond de Gea. Unfortunately, that was his final contribution as an injury prevented him from finishing the fixture.

Williams' effort came out of nowhere, as did Greenwood's leveller. But having been so dominant, United's brains were understandably scrambled when Rashford flashed past the helpless Moore. Cue furious celebrations on the away bench. Likewise, albeit across the technical area, when McBurnie levelled in the 90th minute. The former Swansea City man fired home after controlling the ball inside the penalty area and, when VAR ruled he had not handled the ball, Wilder and his players went wild.

Sheffield United: Moore, Baldock, Stevens, Basham (Robinson 83), Jagielka, O'Connell, Norwood, Fleck, Lundstram, McGoldrick (Sharp 78), Mousset (McBurnie 68). Not used: Verrips, L Freeman, Osborn, Besic.

Manchester United: De Gea, Lindelof, Jones (Lingard 46), Maguire, Pereira (Greenwood 73), Fred, James, Wan-Bissaka, Williams, Martial (Tuanzebe 85), Rashford. Not used: Grant, Mata, Young, Garner, Tuanzebe.

Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands).