Man United 1-1 Sheffield United – Premier League: Live score and updates as Ben Brereton Diaz fires Blades back in front after Harry Maguire cancelled out opener gifted by Andre Onana

Nathan Salt, Mail Sport, at Old Trafford:

Jason Wilcox, the new technical director, is here tonight and if he should have picked up anything it’s that United must find a way to put more quality around Bruno Fernandes. It’s six goals in his last six league games for him now – but he also needs help.

Man United are level anyway!

Fernandes converts from the spot and quickly grabs the ball and leads the way back to the halfway line.

A superb spot kick into the top left corner.

Man United have the ball in the net through Dalot after a corner,

But the whistle had already gone for a foul on Harry Maguire!

What a chance for Man United and Diogo Dalot!

Dalot is played clean through on goal but takes an absolute age to get a shot away.

Before he can pull the trigger, Trusty gets back to make a challenge to clear the danger.

Antony is hauled off by Erik ten Hag after another disappointing display.

Boos from the Man United fans for the Brazilian.

Here come Sheffield United again.

Cameron Archer robs Christian Eriksen out wide, with Casemiro forced to come across to snuff out the danger.

Sheffield United stun Man United again with Ben Brereton Diaz firing the vistors ahead.

It is a well worked goal too as Hamer slides as pass down the left, Ben Osborn flashes a ball into the penalty area and there is Brereton Diaz.

The on-loan forward hits it first time into the roof of the net.

What a start to the half for Sheffield United!

As things stand Man United will remain seventh in the Premier League, level on points with sixth placed Newcastle.

Newcastle are currently drawing with Crystal Palace. Eddie Howe’s side have the goal difference advantage in the race for the Europa League.

Back underway at Old Trafford with one half-time change to report.

Vinicius Souza replaces Andre Brooks for Sheffield United for the second half.

Nathan Salt, Mail Sport, at Old Trafford:

This is a big second half for United. They’ve totally dominated and yet they went in having got away with it with Sheffield United’s low block causing a headache. In other news I had a half time pie that has breathed some new life into me. Every cloud and all that…

I mentioned it earlier on, but Sheffield United have now matched Derby’s record of 89 goals conceded in a 38 game Premier League season

Great stat here from Opta.

Harry Maguire’s effort means there have now been more goals in this Premier League season than any other in the 20-team era.

The whistle goes and the atmosphere is muted at Old Trafford.

Man United will feel a mix of relief and frustration that they are level at the break.

Erik ten Hag’s side have had all the play, but Onana gifted Sheffield United the lead after his poor pass was cut out.

Maguire stepped up with a quick response to level the match level at the break.

Chris Wilder appears to have words with the officials with the Blades angered by the awarding of the free kick that let to the equaliser.

Foderingham prevents Man United from going ahead!

It is straightforward ball over the top of the Sheffield United defence that catches out the Blades.

Rasmus Hojlund knocks the ball into the path of Alejandro Garnacho,
who sees an effort kept out by the Foderingham diving to his right.

Foderingham has justified his recall in goal tonight.

Harry Maguire scores against his old club again. The Man United centre back flicks Garnacho’s cross into the net.

A brief VAR check to see whether Maguire is in an offside position, but the goal is given.

Man United are level before the break.

Nathan Salt, Mail Sport, at Old Trafford:

That just sums this Manchester United team up. 83% possession and 11 shots… and they are 1-0 down. Baffles me how this team continue to find ways to shoot themselves in the foot.

Another excellent stop from Foderingham, although the flag is up again.

The Blades goalkeeper wasn’t to know.

He dived to his right to keep out a close range effort from Mainoo.

Nearly the Danish connection paying off for Man United.

Eriksen slides a superb pass through for Hojlund to pick out the forward’s run.

A tight angle for Hojlund but he gets a shot away and forces Foderingham to block with his legs.

The possession stats tell a story.

As we approach the half hour mark, Man United have had 83 per cent possession.

The hosts have racked up 10 shots on goal as well.

Bruno Fernandes’ cross is pushed out by Foderingham, with Antony’s follow-up blocked.

Moments later, Antony sends a effort wide of the target from a similar position.

Super stop from Foderingham to deny Garnacho the opener.

The Argentina exchanges passes and breaks into the Sheffield United box.

Garnarcho looks poised to score after the Blades defence is cut open, but Foderingham dives to his left to turn his effort away from point blank range.

That should be 1-0 to Man United.

Sir Dave Brailsford and Jason Wilcox are picked out by the cameras in the director’s box at Old Trafford.

Wonder what they are making of the opening stages tonight.

Casemiro has seen another header from a corner drift wide, while the bright Garnacho sees an effort held by Foderingham.

At the other end, Sheffield United waste an opening with Brereton Diaz failing to pick out a pass after robbing Eriksen of possession

That’s not to say Sheffield United have not been a threat themselves.

Cameron Archer and Ben Brereton Diaz get efforts away on the Man United goal in quick succession.

Archer’s left footed effort from the edge of the box dribbles wide of Onana’s post with the goalkeeper untroubled.

Onana was called into action by Brereton Diaz but a comfortable stop for the Man United shot stopper.

Casemiro thumps the turf in frustration after heading wide from a corner.

A decent opportunity that.

Man United have started brightly here with Sheffield United forced to scramble behind after a dangerous attack from the hosts to give away that set piece.

Man United come flooding forward as Mainoo releases Antony with a first time pass.

The Brazilian nudges the ball on for Bruno Fernandes, who squares looking for Rasmus Hojlund.

The Dane allows the ball to roll into the path of the onrushing Alejandro Garnacho, who is denied by a superb block from Ahmedhodzic.

It would not have counted though, with the flag going up against Fernandes for offside.

Interesting tweak from Man United tonight.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot have switch positions from the FA Cup semi-final.

Wan-Bissaka is at right back with Dalot moving to the left.

Sheffield United have put together their first move of the match with Andre Brooks getting in down the left.

His cross is gathered by Onana but the flag was up anyway.

Some sign of intent from the Blades though.

Nearly the perfect start for Man United as Diogo Dalot goes close to opening the scoring on their first attack.

Dalot sets his sights from range with his left footed effort needing to be tipped over by Foderingham.

Referee Michael Salisbury gets the game underway.

Can Man United boost their European hopes or will the Blades spring a surprise.

We are about to find out.

The two teams are in the Old Trafford tunnel and sporting some bold jackets.

Perfect time then to remind you of the respective team news.

Man United: Onana, Dalot, Maguire, Casemiro, Wan-Bissaka, Mainoo, Eriksen, Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho, Hojlund.

Subs: Bayindir, Amrabat, McTominay, Diallo, Forson, Amass, Ogunneye, Jackson, Wheatley.

Sheffield United: Foderingham, Trusty, Ahmedhodzic, Holgate, Brooks, Osborn, Arblaster, Hamer, Bogle, Archer, Brereton.

Subs: Grbic, Norwood, Vini Souza, Ben Slimane, Larouci, Curtis, Osula, Hampson.

For those of you wondering, Sheffield United cannot be relegated even if they lose at Old Trafford tonight.

A defeat at the weekend would leave the Blades at risk this weekend.

Back to back defeats against Man United and Newcastle would confirm their return to the Championship.

Should Sheffield United lose tonight and beat Newcastle on the weekend, they could still be relegated if Nottingham Forest match or better their result against Man City.

Man United have been watchable on the pitch this season due to the chaotic nature of their matches.

They have been almost as watchable off it recently given the overhaul taking place under minority owners Ineos.

Technical director Jason Wilcox, who joined Man United last week, has been pictured arriving for his first match at Old Trafford in the role.

Reports this week have suggested Wilcox will be undertaking an audit of Erik ten Hag’s management over the next month as the club prepare to finalise his future.

Mail Sport’s Nathan Salt has been celeb spotting at Old Trafford ahead of kick-off.

Tommy Fury, the boxer and Love Island star, will be among the spectators present tonight.

Man United will be hoping there will be no fury among the spectators at full-time tonight.

Erik ten Hag has been speaking ahead of kick-off, admitting to Man United’s club media that his team selection was ‘easy’ given the shortage of options.

Man United’s bench does look sparse tonight given their injury problems.

We didn’t have too many options to make rotation. Those players are fit and recovered and have good spirit. It will be a tough game, that is clear, not everyone knows why but I know why.

The Brazilian generated headlines of his own for cupping his ears to Coventry players after the FA Cup semi-final shoot-out on Sunday.

Many have had their say on Antony’s goading of the Coventry players, with several pointing out that Man United were 3-0 up when he was introduced as a substitute.

Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor branded Antony a ‘prat’ and asked if he is ‘the most shameless flop ever to grace our beautiful league?’

Even Brentford’s mischief maker Neal Maupay suggested Antony went too far.

The Brazilian has since defended himself, claiming he had been provoked by the Coventry players.

Nathan Salt, Mail Sport, at Old Trafford:

So it’s the two changes for Man United with Scott McTominay dropping to the bench, given he was an injury doubt, and Marcus Rashford not involved at all after he limped out of Wembley.

Fans are pretty frustrated that Amad Diallo is again on the bench and I have to say I agree with them. Antony fortunate to get the nod to start after his antics at Wembley.

Sticking with the youthful theme, Mail Sport’s Nathan Salt points out that Harry Amass, Habeeb Ogunneye, Louis Jackson and Ethan Wheatley are on the bench tonight for the Red Devils.

The quartet were involved as Man United beat rivals Man City in the Premier League Cup last night.

A sign Sheffield United are looking to the future by naming Oli Arblaster as captain tonight?

The academy product is given the honour at the age of 19. Arblaster turns 20 next month.

Teenage dreams at the Theatre of Dreams.

Eye catching team news for Sheffield United.

Oli Arblaster has been named as captain on just his eighth Premier League appearance for the club.

Wes Foderingham returns in goal as one of four changes. Hamer starts after being passed fit while McBurnie is absent through injury.

Sheffield United: Foderingham, Trusty, Hamer, Archer, Brereton, Ahmedhodzic, Bogle, Osborn, Arblaster, Holgate, Brooks.

Erik ten Hag makes two changes from the FA Cup semi-final with Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford missing out.

Christian Eriksen and Antony come into the starting line-up.

Rashford does not feature in the matchday squad due to injury, but McTominay is fit enough to be named on the bench.

Man United: Onana, Dalot, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Casemiro, Mainoo, Eriksen, Fernandes, Garnacho, Antony, Hojlund

Team news from Old Trafford should be with us in the next few minutes.

Will be fascinating to see how Erik ten Hag and Chris Wilder react to their teams’ respective performances at the weekend.

Scott McTominay and Marcus Rashford were considered doubts for Man United.

While for the visitors, Oli McBurnie and Gustavo Hamer were question marks.

Hamer looks likely to be involved… given the Blades have posted a photo of him arriving at the ground.

Old Trafford is hosting one of four Premier League matches this evening, with the Merseyside derby taking the prime billing.

Jurgen Klopp will lead his Liverpool side into a final derby clash with Everton at Goodison Park.

Could the Reds come unstuck as they bid to go level with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League?

My colleague Harry Bamforth is across the action on Merseyside, as well as providing updates from Wolves clash with Bouremouth and Crystal Palace and Newcastle.

Follow along with the action here

Kobbie Mainoo has been one of the shining lights of a challenging season for Man United.

The teenager has made 25 appearances for United during his breakthrough season.

Mail Sport understands the England international is expected to be rewarded with a third new contract in as many years this summer.

You can read all the latest from Old Trafford in Mail Sport’s latest Man United Confidential.

Without wishing to add further salt to Sheffield United wounds, the Blades are one goal away from equalling Derby’s record of 89 goals conceded in a 38 match Premier League season.

The all-time record is held by Swindon Town, who shipped 100 over a 42 match campaign.

Defintiely something Sheffield United will want to avoid breaking.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has admitted the mood has been ‘as negative as it has been’ in the aftermath of their 4-1 loss to Burnley on the weekend.

Wilder said the Blades had hopes of picking up points against Brentford and Burnley in their last two fixtures, but suffered 2-0 and 4-1 defeats.

The results have left Sheffield United 10 points from safety with five matches remaining.

The feel around the club and ground was very, very down and negative after that, possibly as negative as it has been. We had an opportunity to pick up some points and we haven’t and that has impacted our league position incredibly,’ Wilder said.

We have to quickly get on. There are big decisions to make from a selection point of view. It is a disappointing feeling we have got at the moment and it can only be rectified by a positive result and performance at Old Trafford.

As mentioned by Nathan, Sheffield United were winners on their last visit to Old Trafford in January 2021.

Goals from Kean Bryan and Oliver Burke saw Sheffield United come away with all three points during one of the Covid-era matches at an empty Old Trafford.

Harry Maguire grabbed Man United’s goal on that occasion against his former side.

Kean Bryan and Oliver Burke saw Sheffield United come away with all three points during one of the Covid-era matches at an empty Old Trafford.

Harry Maguire grabbed Man United’s goal on that occasion against his former side.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side eventually finished as Premier League runners-up, while Sheffield United finished bottom. One of those things looks like being repeated…

Nathan Salt, Mail Sport, at Old Trafford:

A lovely clear night here at Old Trafford, albeit with a bit of chill in the air. Can’t tell if this is a good or bad omen – they don’t seem to mean much when it comes to this team – but Manchester United’s only defeat in the past 10 Premier League games against Sheffield United came the last time they met at Old Trafford, losing 2-1 in January 2021… Erik ten Hag simply CANNOT afford a repeat of that or it really is over and out for him

As mentioned, Ten Hag went on the attack in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday when responding to suggestions the penalty shoot-out win over Coventry was ’embarrassing’.

‘You made (asked) the question, “is it embarrassing?” No, the reaction from you was embarrassing. The comments are a disgrace,’ Ten Hag said.

‘Top football is about results. We made it to a final and we deserved it, not only by this game but also the other games. We lost control for 20 minutes, we also had bad luck for 3-2 and 3-3. We were very lucky in the end, clear.

‘We were not happy with it. I can see the fans are not happy with it as well, but they get fed by opinions. But all over, what I heard is that the fans are very happy we are again in the FA Cup final.

It is a huge achievement. Twice in two years is magnificent. For me as a manager, five cup finals in four years.’

Mail Sport’s Nathan Salt writes that while Ten Hag has come out fighting with the media this week, it is now time for his side to do so on the pitch.

Has a victory in an FA Cup semi-final ever generated as much doom and gloom?

Man United’s penalty shoot-out victory over Coventry on Sunday, via a collapse from a 3-0 lead, has provoked renewed focus around Erik ten Hag and the squad.

Ten Hag has come out fighting ahead of tonight’s Premier League match with rock bottom Sheffield United.

The Dutchman branded the reaction to the FA Cup semi-final as ‘a disgrace’.

Man United could certainly do with quietening the noise tonight with what should be a routine home assignment against a Sheffield United side seeming destined for the Championship.

Chris Wilder and the Blades will have other ideas, with visitors bidding to breath some life into their flickering survival hopes.

Stay with us for all the build-up and action from Old Trafford.