Had a quieter start to the game than his opposite number Muric but had to be alert to keep out Taylor's flick from Vitinho's shot, before two Burnley goals in two minutes saw him under the spotlight again. Both were deflected but both seemed very soft, especially the first for Bruun Larsen which nicked off Bogle but trickled past Grbic at the near post before he could get down. The second, for Assignon, was more difficult but he will probably still feel disappointed he didn't keep it out rather than deflect it into the roof of his own net. Had little chance with Burnley's next two but had a let off when his clearance only went as far as Brownhill, whose chipped effort sailed wide of goal placeholder image
Had a quieter start to the game than his opposite number Muric but had to be alert to keep out Taylor's flick from Vitinho's shot, before two Burnley goals in two minutes saw him under the spotlight again. Both were deflected but both seemed very soft, especially the first for Bruun Larsen which nicked off Bogle but trickled past Grbic at the near post before he could get down. The second, for Assignon, was more difficult but he will probably still feel disappointed he didn't keep it out rather than deflect it into the roof of his own net. Had little chance with Burnley's next two but had a let off when his clearance only went as far as Brownhill, whose chipped effort sailed wide of goal | Getty Images

Sheffield United player ratings v Burnley with couple of 6s and three 3s in sorry defeat - gallery

Danny Hall
By Danny Hall

Football writer

Published 20th Apr 2024, 16:58 GMT

Another nail in Sheffield United relegation coffin after heavy defeat to closest rivals Burnley

Sheffield United’s slide towards the Championship next season continued after they were pummelled 4-1 on their own patch by second-bottom Burnley this afternoon. It was a game the Blades realistically needed to win to have any chance of pulling off the greatest of escapes but another chastening defeat hammered another nail in their relegation coffin.

United started the game well, with Arijanet Muric in the Burnley goal making superb saves from Oli McBurnie and Ben Brereton Diaz, before two goals in two minutes put the visitors in control. Both goals were deflected off United men but goalkeeper Ivo Grbic did not cover himself in glory with either, even if he had little chance with the two Burnley added in the second half after Gus Hamer’s great finish gave United a glimmer of hope at 2-1 down.

Here’s how we rated United’s players on another sorry afternoon this season...

Lined up on the right for United and some early trickery produced a golden chance for the Blades as he picked out McBurnie in the middle after rounding Taylor. Later had one of his own after some nice interplay before his curling effort was well turned around the post by Muric, but picked up his assist soon after by setting up Hamer. One of the few bright spots on another dark day

9. James McAtee 6

Lined up on the right for United and some early trickery produced a golden chance for the Blades as he picked out McBurnie in the middle after rounding Taylor. Later had one of his own after some nice interplay before his curling effort was well turned around the post by Muric, but picked up his assist soon after by setting up Hamer. One of the few bright spots on another dark day | AFP via Getty Images

Photo Sales
Could have given United an early lead from McAtee's cross but Muric made a superb block from close range when the striker couldn't have done much more to score with an instinctive effort. Will have gone into the game keen to make up for his last experience against Burnley when he was sent off in a 5-0 defeat and held the ball up superbly, using his strength to hold off defenders and bring others like Hamer and Arblaster into play. Made way at 4-1 down

10. Oli McBurnie 5

Could have given United an early lead from McAtee's cross but Muric made a superb block from close range when the striker couldn't have done much more to score with an instinctive effort. Will have gone into the game keen to make up for his last experience against Burnley when he was sent off in a 5-0 defeat and held the ball up superbly, using his strength to hold off defenders and bring others like Hamer and Arblaster into play. Made way at 4-1 down | AFP via Getty Images

Photo Sales
Was booed by the away fans from his first touch because of his prior Blackburn connections but could have given the perfect riposte with a goal with two first-half chances, the best one seeing him go one-on-one with Muric after lovely interplay with Hamer before seeing the shot blocked by the goalkeeper's body. Didn't do enough to prevent Assignon breezing past him to score Burnley's second goal. Later tested Muric again after a sloppy pass from the Burnley 'keeper but not a day he'll want to remember. He has impressed at times since joining United but he also has a habit of squandering chances that you'd back an international striker to score

11. Ben Brereton Diaz 4

Was booed by the away fans from his first touch because of his prior Blackburn connections but could have given the perfect riposte with a goal with two first-half chances, the best one seeing him go one-on-one with Muric after lovely interplay with Hamer before seeing the shot blocked by the goalkeeper's body. Didn't do enough to prevent Assignon breezing past him to score Burnley's second goal. Later tested Muric again after a sloppy pass from the Burnley 'keeper but not a day he'll want to remember. He has impressed at times since joining United but he also has a habit of squandering chances that you'd back an international striker to score | Getty Images

Photo Sales
Previous
3 / 3
Next Page
News you can trust since 1887
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice