FAYC Final 1st Leg: Sheffield United 2 v 2 MUFC – Report

The most startling stat surrounding the 1^st leg of this FA Youth Cup final is that more than 29,977 expectant fans turned up to watch the match. The attendance is even more startling given that it’s Sheffield United’s highest gate of the season (yes, including all competitions at all levels) beating the previous highest by fully 6,000 (cue the chant “Come to see United, you’ve only come to see United…..” which didn’t seem to go down to well with a few fervent Blades!). As for the football, I’m sure no one went home disappointed after a pulsating, end-to-end encounter that produced some fantastic football and a result that ensures both teams have everything to play for next Monday at Old Trafford.

United (for the purposes of this you can assume that ‘United’ means MUFC) lined up as I predicted with the bonus that Tom Thorpe’s calf injury didn’t keep him out. Sheffield United were fortunate enough to have their captain and midfield engine Elliot Whitehouse available after already serving his suspension, for his red card in the previous round, last weekend, and it proved to be a pivotal factor for the Blades as Whitehouse was instrumental in what was arguably a better result for United than it was for The Blades.

The first half an hour saw United boss the game and they should’ve made more of the possession they enjoyed in that time. Despite that, The Blades had the first sight of goal and Gregory should possibly have done better with his header on six minutes after some good work down the left from Jordan Slew. United did create a few half chances but were happy to control the game and attempt to carve out chances patiently but they were constantly blocked by The Blades’ endeavours to crowd the ball out on the edge of the box. With Lingard not an out-and-out winger and Van Velzen ineffective and having his now customary ‘off day’, United lacked the quality in wide areas to hurt The Blades. The need for United to have quality in these areas was perfectly highlighted in the 14^th minute when Pogba and Tunnicliffe found themselves out wide on the right after Lingard had had a shot saved by Long after a cross from McGinty on the left. The ball found its way out to the right, and between them, Tunnicliffe and Pogba created an opportunity for Pogba to whip an alluring cross in, the keeper took the bait but Lingard beat him to the ball and after a ricochet between the two, the ball headed goalwards only to be somehow cleared by the defender on the line. Confusion ensued and the crowd and players alike were looking for a decision from the referee. The linesman had signalled goal, United wanted a penalty, The Blades thought they’d cleared it…..in the end the goal was given and Lingard had put United one up. Subsequent replays would prove inconclusive, my view of it after watching the replays is that it was probably a penalty for hand ball. Nevertheless, United had broke the deadlock and were looking menacing. On the half hour Thorpe headed off the line from Whitehouse in a rare Sheffield United attack. In fact, United were so much in control after 40 minutes that I tweeted “Scratch my prediction……if #mufc put the gas down here it could get embarrassing”. Just a few minutes later I was made to eat my words, the two players who helped create United’s opener found themselves fatally out of position just inside their own half. After a United attack McFadzean and Whitehouse hustled Morrison off the ball and Whitehouse powered forward whilst being hounded and chased by both Pogba and Tunnicliffe, the latter opted to chase him to the right and leave Pogba to make the challenge. When Pogba made the challenge the loose ball was collected and neatly passed to McFadzean, who had discreetly and smartly ventured into the space vacated and neglected by Tunnicliffe, he advanced through the centre unchallenged then unleashed a thunderous strike from 25 yards out that possibly no keeper at any level would’ve saved. It bent and moved and whistled past Johnstone and snook inside the post despite Johnstone actually getting his tips to it. The hosts were back in it and everyone in the ground sensed it. It marked a change in the atmosphere and gave The Blades belief just before the break, no question the hosts were the happier going into the dressing rooms for the interval.

When the second half got underway the momentum was definitely with the hosts, United created nothing of note until the 57^th minute when Morrison dribbled his way to the edge of the box from the right, he ignored the run of GVV and hit a shot from 20 yards that was pushed out for a corner by goalkeeper Long. Credit has to go The Blades for keeping Morrison quiet throughout the majority of the night, he was pressed and hustled every time he received the ball and found it difficult to find space to play his creative passing game. Johnstone saved from Slew and Fornasier cleared off the line from another Whitehouse opportunity. Whitehouse was now bossing the midfield and Sheffield United were without doubt in charge and looking the more likely when on 69 minutes, United found a way of opening up the Blades’ narrow defence for a second time. Michael Keane, who had gone close a few minutes earlier with a left footed strike from 20 yards, joined a United attack down the right. He worked his way into the box but as usual the Blades crowded him out with eight men in the centre of their defence. The ball fell for Pogba on the edge of the area, he was pressured and closed down but Lingard had offered him an out-ball by cleverly retreating out to the right hand side of the box and positioning himself just onside, Pogba lofted an inviting ball over the bodies and Lingard produced a great first time cross that split the keeper and the defence and into the path of Will Keane who tucked it away to re-establish United’s one goal advantage totally against the run of play. 800 jubilant travelling fans were now in full voice anticipating their team would now go on and win it here. It wasn’t to be, I barely had time to tweet the update! Two minutes later the sides were level. Fornasier was beaten in the air after United gave the ball away cheaply and the defence cleared their lines. The bouncing ball fell kindly into the path of Jordan Slew who adjusted himself and struck it from 20 yards out and into the net getting a wicked deflection off Thorpe on the way. It’s hard to tell where the shot was going without the deflection, but the keeper was stranded and left with no chance of saving the swerving, spinning ball.

In between goals The Blades made their first substitution and then made another on 79 minutes. United replaced the unimpressive GVV with John Cofie but bizarrely for me deployed him in midfield (more about that later). The remaining 18 minutes saw United create two similar chances when Morrison, and then Tunnicliffe late on, had a chance each to maybe find the back of the net from tight angles after beating the last man. On both occasions the keeper kept them out. Tunnicliffe again went close shortly after that and Morrison could’ve earned the Reds a penalty in injury time had he chose to hit the deck after a clumsy challenge in the box, instead he opted to go for goal but was again foiled by Long.

On reflection the result was a fair one and the game was very entertaining, a great advert for football and an even bigger advert for football at this level. With the tie so finely balanced and the prospect of a fascinating battle next Monday you’d be mad not to get yourself down to Old Trafford. Tickets cost pennies (in comparison) and the match WILL be decided on the night, even if it takes penalties. Remember, away goals DO NOT count double in this competition so the aggregate score is the aggregate score. For details of the match and how to get your tickets visit www.manutd.com or call 0161 868 8000. The website is officially showing the North Stand Lower tier as fully sold out. I spoke to someone their yesterday and he told me that, as required, they will start to open and allocate areas in North Stand T2 to satisfy demand. I know the game’s sandwiched between Blackpool on the Sunday and Gary Neville’s testimonial on the Tuesday but if you can get there I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

With the match report out of the way I want to have a quick rant about a few issues last night. Firstly, the hot-dogs at Bramall Lane are to be avoided at all costs…..not nice. Secondly, Paul McGuiness’ substitutions are baffling. The game was played at one hell of a pace last night and the opposition made all three subs yet he made only one. Cofie came on and the obvious notion is that Morrison would form the head of a diamond with Cofie and Keane up front. Instead Cofie played in midfield. Why make that change? Ekangamene was on the bench if he needed a midfielder to help regain control of midfield, Lawrence was also on the bench who could easily have been a straight swap for GVV and played down the left. Not only that, with 29,000 fans packed into Bramall Lane, he’s missed an ideal opportunity to give two other players valuable experience, he did the same thing at Stamford Bridge. Cofie needs game-time, but not out of position surely?

Anyway, my third and final rant is about Gyliano Van Velzen…..aah yes, Gyliano Van Velzen. Talented Ajax winger who United were being investigated regards his ‘transfer’. Well, I’m not a fan. He lacks team intelligence, he puts his head down when he gets the ball and before passing (if indeed he ever does) he has to do at least 3 unbalanced stepovers that fool no one except for himself. Being a winger and United liking to play a wide style of play I’d expect he’s got a hatful of assists this season, especially as he’s played a large number of the games despite players who are performing better than him being left out. Instead, he’s scored just once and created the sum total of (I wish I knew the exact number but I’m going to have to guess a bit here!) no more than 3 assists. The boy is in The Academy again next season where he’ll be expected to shine, develop and enhance his current skills and team ethic, a few of my favourite Twitter friends believe that he’s just a slow developer and having a longer than is ideal bedding in period. Well, @ManUnitedYouth and @Mather23 I hope you’re right as I hate to pour scorn on any player talented enough to don my beloved Red shirt, but in this case I think my nickname of ‘Headless Chicken’ will prove to be closer to the mark. I will however refrain from using the term until it’s totally necessary (like last night!).

I want to attempt to put GVV’s performances and lack of quality into perspective a little bit and the best way I know how to do that is to ask this question: If Larnell Cole was fit tonight, would he have played and if so, who would drop to the bench? The answer to ‘would he play’ is a resounding ‘Yes’, the answer to who would McGuinness have dropped is open to some debate. But it’s my opinion that Jesse Lingard would be the unlucky one. Ok, that’s all fine because it’s the way football is. However, now let’s look at the facts of purely just tonight, and I’m dealing in hard facts here, not opinion. Assists: GVV 0 Lingard 1, Goals: GVV 0 Lingard 1. Therefore, why is GVV still getting regular game time? I mean a winger (and he played a fair few games as a makeshift centre forward too by the way) with very few assists and a just a single goal to show for two thirds of a season is at best average.

And back to United………..only one match remaining this season and what a match it promises to be, good luck boys……see you next week. (hopefully in the player’s lounge celebrating success…..glug glug!!)

For in-game updates and constant news, banter and general MUFC Academy talk – follow me @Rimmerstweets on Twitter.

Thanks for reading – Any retweets and liking will be appreciated.

Ian.

Some Related Man United Posts:

Category: Manchester United