Manchester United 1-2 Sheffield United: Player ratings as Blades stun Red Devils

Manchester United missed the opportunity to return to the top of the Premier League as they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to bottom of the table Sheffield United.

Kean Bryan opened the scoring for the Blades after 23 minutes, rising highest to glance home John Fleck's corner. Billy Sharp was perhaps fortunate to not be penalised for a nudge on David de Gea in the buildup.

United's equaliser also came from a corner, Harry Maguire powering Alex Telles' out-swinging delivery into the net.

But the Blades responded through substitute Oliver Burke, as his strike from inside the area deflected in off Axel Tuanzebe at the second time of asking after some horrific United defending to secure a deserved win for a spirited Sheffield United.

Let's get into some player ratings.

MANCHESTER UNITED

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

David de Gea (GK) - 5/10 - Failed to deal with Fleck's corner and was beaten to the ball by the head of Bryan as he attempted to punch clear for the opening goal - potentially as a result of a nudge from Sharp. Poor clearance in the buildup to Sheffield United's second.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB) - 5/10 - Picked out Rashford with a clever pull back in the first half, from which United almost opened the scoring.

Axel Tuanzebe (CB) - 4/10 - Out-jumped by Bryan for Sheffield United's equaliser. Booked for a nasty foul on Norwood on the stroke of half time.

Harry Maguire (CB) - 6/10 - Occasionally careless in possession in the first half. Cleverly worked himself an inch of space and powered home a header to level the scores.

Alex Telles (LB) - 6/10 - Picked out Fernandes with a cracking pass in behind in the first half and provided the assist for United's equaliser.

2. Midfielders

Nemanja Matic (CM) - 5/10 - Slightly flat in possession, struggled to deal with the sheer energy of the Sheffield United midfield. Made an important challenge to prevent Burke running clean through as the clock ticked down.

Paul Pogba (CM) - 5/10 - Headed a half chance over from a corner in the second half. Never really able to make a telling impact on the game.

Bruno Fernandes (CAM) - 6/10 - Slipped Greenwood through with a terrific pass in the second half. Blew hot and cold - occasionally magical in possession, occasionally careless.

3. Forwards

Mason Greenwood (RW) - 5/10 - Snatched at a glorious opportunity in the second half, blazing wide a chance he would normally dispatch effortlessly. Was replaced after 65 minutes.

Anthony Martial (ST) - 4/10 - Relatively quiet as the central striker, moved to the left flank following the introduction of Cavani.

Marcus Rashford (LW) - 6/10 Flashed an effort from the edge of the area narrowly wide in the first half, and tested Ramsdale with a dipping free kick in the second.

4. Substitutes

Edinson Cavani - 6/10

Luke Shaw - 5/10

Donny van de Beek - 5/10

SHEFFIELD UNITED

5. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Aaron Ramsdale (GK) - 6/10 - Fortunate to get away with fumbling a cross in the first half from which Martial scored - but this was disallowed for a soft Maguire foul.

Chris Basham (CB) - 8/10 - Produced a big tackle to keep out Fernandes in the second half, summing up his robust defensive performance.

Phil Jagielka (CB) - 8/10 - Produced an important first half block to keep out Greenwood. Lost Maguire in the buildup to United's equaliser - but turned in one hell of a defensive shift.

Ethan Ampadu (CB) - 8/10 - Popped up with an important second half block to deflect a Wan-Bissaka effort wide and was equally as excellent as his fellow central defensive partners.

6. Midfielders & Wingbacks

George Baldock (RWB) - 7/10 - Instrumental in Sheffield United's equaliser with his tenacious raid forward.

John Lundstram (CM) - 8/10 - Sheffield United's midfield three really impressed. Lundstram was typically dynamic and industrious, offering the backline protection, instinctively breaking forward with purpose and dropping in at right back to allow Baldock to down the flank.

Oliver Norwood (CM) - 8/10 - Really shrewd in possession; everything was crisp, sharp and quick. Shielded the back three effectively out of possession.

John Fleck (CM) - 8/10 - Caused chaos with his dangerous corner delivery, which was headed home by Bryan. Broke up play effectively, smart on the ball and injected a real energy and intensity into the midfield.

Kean Bryan (LWB) - 7/10 - Gave the Blades the lead by rising highest from a corner and glancing home a header. Was replaced after 53 minutes.

7. Forwards

David McGoldrick (ST) - 6/10 - Flashed narrowly over in the second half with an audacious effort via the outside of his right foot.

Billy Sharp (ST) - 6/10 - Had a big opportunity to open the scoring but saw his effort kept out by the feet of De Gea. Put in a tireless shift and was replaced with 20 minutes remaining.

8. Substitutes

Jayden Bogle - 6/10

Oliver Burke - 7/10 - Gave Sheffield United the lead with a deflected close range effort.

Rhian Brewster - N/A