Starters

Dean Henderson: 3/10

There had been reports that Henderson’s been upset about his playing time and he did nothing to show he deserves more. Calamitous error made the start of this game far more nervy than it should have been. Did make a huge save at the end to keep United ahead. Considering Manchester United need to go a goal down away from Old Trafford, he gets a point for making that happen early.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 6/10

Did well defensively. Got up the pitch well to help contribute to the attack. Nothing spectacular but didn’t need to be.

Victor Lindelöf: 5/10

Predictably struggled against a direct team that were going to try and pick on his aerial weakness. Some poor luck on the second goal considering he actually won the header.

Harry Maguire: 6/10

Didn’t back down to the physicality of Sheffield United’s attackers and was influential in United keeping control of the match for the middle 75 minutes.

Alex Telles: 6/10

Besides his crossing he’s still not offering much going forward. In fairness, Marcus Rashford really wasn’t helping him out or giving him much to work with. Looked better defensively today. His great late tackle was (wrongfully) ruled a corner and ended up in the back of the net.

Nemanja Matić: 6/10

The bottom line is that United need Matić to unlock the rest of the team. He wasn’t great today but he was good enough to allow the others to shine.

Paul Pogba: 9/10

Pogba’s passing raises United’s ceiling and he was simply next level today. Sensational “assist” on Martial’s goal that he’s ridiculously not credited for. Won a few big headers late in the match as Sheffield were throwing everything forward.

Bruno Fernandes: 6/10

Didn’t do much tonight, and the good news is: that was fine. Too often when Bruno isn’t on it, he brings the rest of the team down with him. If United are scoring three goals when Bruno isn’t completely on his game, that only makes them more dangerous.

Anthony Martial: 6/10

Link up play was really good. Had really good movement as well. He’s still not completely there though and he squandered a few chances. Finally got a goal which is really important and hopefully that gets him going.

Marcus Rashford: 7/10

We got the full Marcus Rashford experience tonight seeing exactly what he brings and doesn’t bring to the table. A few times he neglected a wide open Alex Telles on the left wing so he could dribble at two or three Sheffield defenders (guess how it ended?). Middle of the game he was unplayable and Sheffield United had no idea how to deal with his runs or his pace.

Mason Greenwood: 6/10

Did a really good job of keeping his width in the buildup. This may make him less dangerous but makes a huge difference in how dangerous the rest of the team is. Learn how to pick out the open man in the box Mason!

Substitutes

Juan Mata: 6/10

Nearly scored a worldie to equalize after coming on to help shore up the midfield.

Donny Van De Beek: 3/10

Had a pretty poor cameo appearance. Broke in a couple of times and picked out the wrong ball which contributed to the nervy end.

Scott McTominay: N/A

Came on to see out a nervy end.

Manager

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: 6/10

Got his selection right. Played his two best possession midfielders in hopes to control the match on the ground. They’re also his two bigger midfielders to help deal with Sheffield’s very direct aerial attack. The slow starts are a concern but a little overblown on this one as United going a goal down was solely down to a terrible individual mistake. Once again his substitutions changed the game, though this time not for the better as Van de Beek was unusually poor. Hard to fault him for that though, United were in control of the game and what else was he supposed to do? Uselessly tire out his best players? He’ll need to get that defense in line with Leeds coming to Old Trafford on Sunday. I suspect we’ll see a return of McTominay and Fred as well as Luke Shaw back in the team.