Manchester United vs Sheffield United Match Preview: Fight for top-4 continues

In the race for the remaining Champions League spots in the Premier League table, this clash could prove to be a pivotal fixture. Manchester United will play a first-ever competitive behind-closed-doors match when they face Sheffield United on Wednesday at 5.30 pm GMT in Old Trafford. Here is our exclusive Manchester United vs Sheffield United match preview for you.

Overview

It will be exactly 108 days since the Reds last played a competitive home match when Scott McTominay’s strike from distance sealed a deserved 2-0 victory for the Red Devils in the Manchester derby. The Reds approach the match against their fellow top-four contenders on the back of a 1-1 draw at Tottenham Hotspur last Friday.

Since Bruno Fernandes’ debut, no Man Utd player has scored more goals (four), made more assists (four), had more shots (38) and shots on target (15), created more chances (26) or played more passes into the box (98, including crosses).Man Utd are unbeaten in 12 matches in all competitions (W8 D4), netting 30 goals in that spell while conceding just three. They last had a longer run without defeat between November 2016 and January 2017, with 17 matches.

The Blades, in League One as recently as May 2017, are one of several sides competing with the Reds for a Champions League qualification spot, after a stellar first campaign back in the Premier League following Championship promotion last term.Sheffield United will seek to bounce back after their 3-0 defeat at Newcastle United, and are looking for their first goal since their return to action.

The South Yorkshire outfit sit seventh in the table with 44 points, which is two fewer than United have in fifth – at the time of writing the final slot for the next season of Europe’s premier tournament, given Manchester City’s two-season ban from  the competition.

Team News

Our Manchester United vs Sheffield United match preview also includes the predicted lineups of both teams.

Manchester United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has no new injury problems.Paul Pogba’s outstanding cameo as a substitute suggested he is pushing hard for a start despite still being treated carefully after his lengthy lay-off, while Nemanja Matic and Mason Greenwood also earned praise for their contributions after entering the fray.Although Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe were unavailable last week because of injury. Ole will likely go for his default 4-2-3-1 system.

Predicted Lineup

Formation : 4-2-3-1

Sheffield United

Sheffield United will be forced into making a change in goal, with Dean Henderson ineligible due to the conditions of his loan deal from the Reds. Defender John Egan is also absent, due to suspension, following his red card in the Blades’ 3-0 defeat at Newcastle United last time out. Veteran centre-back Phil Jagielka should be available, despite an ankle problem, while Jack O’Connell is making good progress after suffering a knee injury David McGoldrick (knock). Chris Wilder will likely go for his default 3-5-2 system.

Predicted Lineup

Formation: 3-5-2

Current Form and Records

Man Utd’s current form – W, W, D, W, D

Sheff Utd’s current form – W, D,W, D, L

Head to Head

Man Utd wins- 5

Sheff Utd wins- 1

Draw- 1

Players to watch

Manchester United

Sheffield United