ENGLISH PREMIER BETTING PREVIEW - MANCHESTER UNITED VS SHEFFIELD UNITED

English Premier

2024-04-24 - Manchester United vs Sheffield United

A Sports Betting Preview by Auls

Manchester United v Sheffield United
Football: English Premier League
Wednesday 24th April 2024 - Kick Off 8pm

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Manchester United

There have been plenty of very disappointing days for Manchester United fans in the decade since Sir Alex Ferguson left his role as manager of the club, but Sunday was very close to being the lowest of the lot. Leading Championship Coventry City 3-0 in the FA Cup Semi Final, Manchester United found a way to concede three goals in the last 20 minutes and were then the closest of close offside decisions from losing 4-3 in Extra Time.

A defeat would have been impossible to explain away, but for many fans the performance and the ultimate Penalty Shoot Out victory felt very hollow indeed. The FA Cup Final is going to be a repeat of the 2023 Final, but it is key for Manchester United to try and build momentum towards that clash as they bid to improve their current 7th place in the Premier League table. The side have an 8-2-5 record at Old Trafford in the top flight.

Manchester United have surprisingly failed to win any of their last 6 games in all competitions within the ninety minutes scheduled and that is amazing to think considering how often they have been leading going into injury time of matches. They have won 1 of their last 4 games at Old Trafford in normal time, although the Extra Time win over Liverpool in the FA Cup Quarter Final was also secured in that run.

The injury list is incredibly long at Old Trafford and the likes of Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay may have added their names to that list after Sunday. Erik ten Hag is going to be hoping that a number of key players return before the FA Cup Final, but his squad looks stretched for this fixture.

Sheffield United

Chris Wilder had some positives to take from recent performances, but that was far from the case on Saturday when Sheffield United were crushed 1-4 at home by Burnley. Relegation is potentially going to be confirmed as soon as this weekend and the rebuild for the Championship will likely have already begun to take shape.

The Blades are bottom of the Premier League table with just 16 points earned so far this season, which leaves them 10 points from safety and with just five Premier League games to play. They will be taking a 1-3-12 record into this away fixture and Sheffield United have scored 13 goals, but conceded 37 in those matches.

Sheffield United have not won any of their last 9 Premier League games, but they have earned draws in half of their last 6. Since beating Luton Town 1-3 at Kenilworth Road, Sheffield United have lost 3 of 4 away League games, although they did give Liverpool and Brentford something to think about before conceding late on.

Injuries have decimated the Sheffield United squad for much of the season and things are not going to change now. Jack Robinson is hobbled, but continues to insist he can play, but a host of players have been ruled out.

Head to Head

A late goal helped Manchester United to a 1-2 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Manchester United had won 8 home games in a row against Sheffield United, but that run was snapped in their most recent meeting at Old Trafford that ended 1-2 in favour of The Blades in January 2021.

Prediction

Losing to Coventry City from the position they found themselves would have been a hammer blow to Manchester United and likely would have spelled the end for Erik ten Hag.

Even in victory, it certainly feels like a defeat for Manchester United and overshadows the excitement of reaching another FA Cup Final.

The game will be forgotten by the time May 25th comes around, but it is one that many fans will point to as part of a recent problem for Manchester United. Blowing winning positions has cost them any real hope of reaching the Champions League places and this is a team that is hit hard by injury and who look short of real confidence.

Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay may join those on the sidelines and Manchester United look an incredibly short price all things considered.

The question is whether Sheffield United can take advantage after their awful 1-4 home loss to Burnley on Saturday.

This is a team that has clearly lacked the Premier League quality all season, so winning here as they did in January 2021 may be beyond Sheffield United's capabilities.

However, they are facing a team that looks short of confidence and who have just had to go through the mental drama of a Penalty Shoot Out after the physicality of Extra Time.

Manchester United have won 1 of their last 4 at Old Trafford in normal time, while Sheffield United have just given Liverpool and Brentford food for thought in recent defeats. They have players who will give it a go and asking Manchester United to cover this Asian Handicap looks a little too much.

There is a temptation to back Sheffield United to win, but Manchester United do have the goalscoring power to avoid an upset. Simply put, it is just not likely that they blow The Blades away so back the visitors with a start.

The Pick :

Manchester United 2-1 Sheffield United

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Sheffield United + 1.75 Asian Handicap at 1.85 with Bet365