Sheffield United will take on Manchester United at Bramall Lane on Thursday night in Premier League 2020-21. The Blades are still searching for the first victory of the season, while United is coming off a goalless draw against the derby rivals City.
Match Timings: Dec 18, 1:30 AM IST
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Sheffield United and Man United will end the match week 13 of the Premier League at Bramall Lane. The season for the Blades has been the poorest one, and they are now fighting against a side who has the best form in away-matches in Premier League recent times. Sheffield have earned just one point from 12 matches and sitting at the bottom of the table.
Sheffield United will be without the services of Jack O'Connell and Oli McBurnie against the Red Devils. Kean Bryan may sit on the bench so Lys Mousset, Max Lowe, and John Lundstram can get the recall in the starting XI. Chris Wilder’s men are sitting in the relegation zone, and positive results for Burnley and Fulham this week made things more challenging for the Blades. They are six points behind Fulham and 8-points from next season's qualification. In 2019-20, the hosts finished ninth in the table, and at one stage, they were in the race of Champions League qualification. Things have been changed dramatically, and one of the finest sides of the last season is on the verge of earning the demotion to Championship. Sheffield United are winless from the previous 15 matches, and out of 14 defeats, the six losses were recorded at home. In the last game, Southampton easily overcame the Blades 3-0 in the home-game.
Meanwhile, United would not be delighted with the current season as they occupy the ninth position, just four points behind to Champions League position and 8 points behind league-leaders Liverpool. After a shocking exit from Champions League 2020-21 at Leipzig, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side held Man City for a goalless draw at Old Trafford. The only smiling fact in its current season is the classic form in away fixtures. United’s 15 points out of 20 came in away-matches, and they are the best side of the season who has earned more points on the road.
On Thursday, Red Devils can become only the fourth club in Premier League history to win 10 consecutive matches. In five wins, they pulled off the victories after conceding an early goal. Edinson Cavani will miss this fixture again, and Anthony Martial would be recalled to start in the XI in place of Pogba. Alex Telles will also be back, but Dean Henderson’s availability is in doubt. It should be a cakewalk for the Red Devils to add three points on Thursday, and we expect a clean sheet for United at Bramall Lane.
Possible Lineups & Current Form
Sheffield
Lineup: Ramsdale; Basham, Egan, Stevens; Baldock, Berge, Ampadu, Fleck, Lowe; Mousset, Burke
Premier League form: L L L L L L
Previous match: 3-0 defeat to Southampton
Man United
Lineup: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles; McTominay, Fred; Mata, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial
Premier League form: L W W W W D
Previous match: a goalless draw with Man City
Key Players
Sheffield
Sander Berge
1 goal in Premier League 2020-21
Lys Mousset
6 goals in last edition of Premier League
Man United
Bruno Fernandes
7 goals in Premier League 2020-21
Marcus Rashford
3 goals in Premier League 2020-21
