The fight for the top four in the Premier League is going to go down to the wire as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United are just five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
With Chelsea playing Manchester City on Thursday night, the Red Devils could move within two points of the Blues. Solskjaer’s team are not just chasing Chelsea, but must hold off both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sheffield United.
The Blades will travel to Old Trafford on Wednesday night and could leapfrog Manchester United in the table with a win. The last time these teams played, they put on a six-goal thriller at Bramall Lane that went down to the 90th minute.
Sheffield United were in better form at that time as Chris Wilder’s team have only picked up one point from their last six possible since the Premier League’s restart. Last weekend, Sheffield United were hammered by Newcastle United 3-0 away from home.
Manchester United, on the other hand, escaped Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a 1-1 draw thanks to a penalty that shouldn’t have been. Now, Solskjaer’s team is aiming to win at home where they have collected 29 of 45 points possible this season.
Sheffield United have won just once in thier last six away games. They have taken 20 points from 45 possible on the road and since the league’s restart on June 17, played two away fixtures that saw them drop points.
Solskjaer should start Paul Pogba in midfield against Sheffield United after the Frenchman came on versus Spurs and changed the tide of the game. The Red Devils were poor in the first half versus Spurs and both Harry Maguire and David De Gea came under fire for terrible performances.
Wilder has a problem on his hands as goalkeeper Dean Henderson, the league’s co-leader in clean sheets with 11, cannot play versus Manchester United due to being owned by the club. Henderson is on loan at Sheffield United and unable to appear versus his parent club.
The manager is waiting on late fitness tests for Phil Jagielka, David McGoldrick, and Jack O’Connell. All three are recovering from their respective injuries.
Meanwhile, Solskjaer is waiting on the results of fitness tests for centre-backs Victor Lindelof and Phil Jones. If the duo misses the fixture, Solskjaer’s defensive options will be limited.
The first match of the season saw these teams combine for six goals. This time around should see both teams score once more in a huge match in the chase for Champions League qualification. Expect both sides to find the back of the net as the match ends in a draw.