Manchester United 1 Sheffield United 0

Wayne Rooney Celebrates his goal against Sheffield United 

There are those teams you expect to roll over when they see a team like Manchester United but Sheffield had there own game plan. Frustrate Manchester United and get a replay which would be of more help due to the financial reward. They nearly did pull it off but credit should go to Memphis, he was more positive when he came on and knew how to beat his man.

Manchester United continue to struggle in front of goal only managing two shots on target against league one side Sheffield United. The first shot on target came in the 66 minute while the second one was in the 90+4 minute,  a penalty after Memphis Depay had been fouled. Memphis went down theatrically taking advantage of a poor Hammond tackle. To me the penalty was soft and it shouldn’t have been given.
United continue to dominate the opposition with possession football but that cutting age or key pass to the forwards is lacking. The players desire to beat the next man is lacking therefore they would prefer a safe side way or back pass than move the ball forward.

All cannot be taken from Sheffield United and would feel hard done after the effort they had put in. They deserved more from the game as there game plan had worked until that Hammond error late in the game.

For now Van Gaal will celebrate they have qualified for the fourth round but deep inside he knows his team is underperforming. The type of game Manchester United are playing is not what the fans were used to. The fans want to see the team taking risks by attacking at will.

Fellaini in the midfield didn’t add any attacking threat to the team and in fact it is as if he was playing more defensively. To play two defensive Midfielders against league one opposition at Old Trafford shows Van Gaal doesn’t believe in his team ability to see off games.

Away games against Newcastle and Liverpool follow and if the team set up continue this way I see Van Gaal not lasting long. Mourinho and Guardiola are available and the one year remaining on Van Gaal contract may be terminated.