Manchester United won 4-2 against Sheffield United at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
United progressed to the FA Cup final against Coventry City last Sunday, but they surrendered a 3-0 lead in the final 20 minutes and penalties were required.
It's likely Erik ten Hag will be sacked at the end of the season and all eyes were on tonight's clash as Sheffield United, who are bottom of the league, visited Manchester.
The visitors are set to be relegated to the Championship, but they twice took the lead against United, who were forced to fight for their 4-2 victory.
Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes were the standout performers and got on the scoresheet, while Rasmus Hojlund made sure of the result by scoring the fourth.
Ethan Wheatley also made history by becoming the 250th academy graduate to make a United debut.
Recap what happened here.
Key Events
Recap what happened below
Thanks for following our coverage today and recap what happened below.
Fernandes gives honest assessment of performance
Bruno Fernandes thought United demonstrated character in their victory against Sheffield United but warned the players are making winning hard for themselves.
Erik ten Hag came out fighting in his press conference to preview the Sheffield United fixture and he needed an improved showing from the dressing room on Wednesday night.
Sheffield United are bottom of the Premier League, they have claimed just six points away from home all season and yet they drew first blood after a goal from Jayden Bogle.
Harry Maguire produced an equaliser with a brilliant header before half-time, but the visitors went ahead again when play resumed for the second half, although they were unable to defend that lead as Bruno Fernandes scored twice and assisted Rasmus Hojlund for a 4-2 victory.
After scraping a win against Coventry, winning against Sheffield United was crucial and it means United are now back on the right track at the business end of the season.
However, Sheffield United were able to take the lead twice at Old Trafford and Fernandes admitted he wasn't pleased about going behind against the Blades.
Read what he said here.
I saw how hurt Fernandes was but knew he'd make the difference
The following is the opening extract from Samuel Luckhurst's match report.
Bruno Fernandes was in a delicate state when he left Wembley. He again spared his manager from a delicate situation at Manchester United.
Fernandes was the last player to emerge from the dressing room on Sunday as he required strapping on his hand after an awkward tumble in the FA Cup semi-final. As fragile as his handshake was, there was no chance Fernandes would be in the stands against Sheffield United.
If United had 11 players of his talent and mentality they would be challenging for the title, not for Europa League qualification. Fernandes has started in all but one of United's 33 Premier League fixtures and he missed the stalemate at Anfield through suspension.
Fernandes is United's top scorer, as well as their talisman. An equaliser and winner preceded an assist for Rasmus Hojlund in a rare United victory by a margin of at least two goals.
The match programme featured Fernandes's ten best United goals. His left-footed swinger-winner against Sheffield United would be high up in the redrafted list.
The evening ended so serenely for United that Ethan Wheatley was introduced as the 250th academy graduate to debut for the first team. Wheatley, 18, scored both of the Under-18s' goals in their Premier League Cup win over City on Tuesday evening and was only allocated a half as he was needed for the first team.
Read more here.
United player ratings as Fernandes and Maguire impress
Andre Onana
His misplaced pass led to Jayden Bogle putting Sheffield United ahead. Well beaten for the second goal. 5
Diogo Dalot
Swapped flanks with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and nearly scored in the opening 30 seconds. More midfielder than full back at times and lost the ball for the second goal. 6
Casemiro
Not unduly troubled at centre-back as United had the majority of the ball. Robust in his duels and put in a reasonable shift. 7
Harry Maguire
Two goals in two games for one of the few in-form United players. Won the penalty that allowed Bruno Fernandes to equalise. 8
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Involved in some decent link-up play with Antony as they resumed their unlikely alliance. Much more comfortable back at right back. 6
Read the ratings here.
FULL-TIME! United 4-2 Sheffield United
That's the final whistle at Old Trafford.
United claim an important victory and Wheatley becomes academy graduate #250.
90+4' - MUN 4-2 SHU - A comfortable win
This is set to be a comfortable win in the end, despite the Sheff United goals.
90' - MUN 4-2 SHU - #250 academy graduates
There have been nine minutes added on, but most importantly, Wheatley has just become the 250th player from the academy to make a debut for United. That's a remarkable achievement for the club and it's a landmark to be immensely proud of.
88' - MUN 4-2 SHU -Wheatley is coming on
He's set to be the 250th academy graduate to make his United debut.
85' - MUN 4-2 SHU - GOAL! 4-2 UNITED! (Hojlund)
Hojlund wraps up the result with his first goal since Luton Town away in February.
He's looked off the pace since his return from injury and that will do him the world of good.
83' - MUN 3-2 SHU - Fernandes has 15 goals
Ten Hag politely applauded as Fernandes celebrated. The scenes in the Stretford End were not as low key and that was a goal worthy of winning any game.
Fernandes has dragged United over the line tonight.
80' - MUN 3-2 SHU - GOAL! 3-2 UNITED! (Fernandes)
Fernandes has the armband for a reason. He's just scored what should be the matchwinner.
He's been outstanding in the last few weeks and that was an incredible finish.
76' - MUN 2-2 SHU - Ten Hag needs a win
He came out fighting in his press conference and needs a win here. Mainoo has just picked Fernandes out with a superb pass but he couldn't control it.
72' - MUN 2-2 SHU - Can they find a winner?
Considering Sheffield United are rooted to the bottom of the league and they have a dismal record away from home, a draw would be a really disappointing result.
67' - MUN 2-2 SHU - This is wide open
There have been chances at both ends and it's suddenly like a basketball match.
64' - MUN 2-2 SHU - Fernandes delivers again
Fernandes has scored six goals in his past six league games, including in the past four.
He's now scored twice in four consecutive league games for United, having also done so in February 2021 when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge.
60' - MUN 2-2 SHU - GOAL! 2-2 UNITED!
Fernandes scores again from the spot, sending the ball into the top left corner and 'keeper Foderingham the wrong way - he's just brilliant from 12 yards.
This game is here for the taking and United must score the next goal.
58' - MUN 1-2 SHU - UNITED PENALTY
United have the ball in the net but the referee blew his whistle for a penalty.
55' - MUN 1-2 SHU - Amad comes on
Amad ON and Antony OFF, a change which was met by loud cheers.
53' - MUN 1-2 SHU - Another cutback goal
How many times have United conceded from cutbacks this season? We've seen that goal so often and it's criminal that Bereton Diaz was left unmarked. It looked like Eriksen lost his man and Amad is now preparing to come on - United need more magic from him.
50' - MUN 1-2 SHU - GOAL! 2-1 SHEFF UNITED! (Brereton Diaz)
Sheffield United retake their lead just after half-time through Brereton Diaz.
Somehow, he was left unmarked in the penalty box.
47' - MUN 1-1 SHU - No changes at the break
No substitutions from Ten Hag at the break, which isn't a surprise given the bench.
45' - MUN 1-1 SHU - We're back under way
Here we go for the second half at Old Trafford - United need three points here.
Half-time ratings
Here are your half-time ratings...
Onana
Error led to goal. 5
Wan-Bissaka
Some decent link up with Antony. 6
Casemiro
Not majorly troubled. 6
Maguire
Fine header. 7
Dalot
Proactive and came close to scoring. 7
Eriksen
Had a lot of the ball. 6
Mainoo
Bright. 7
Antony
Not bright. 5
Fernandes
Involved but ineffectual. 6
Garnacho
Had chances to score and crossed for Maguire. 7
Hojlund
Blunt again. 5
HALF-TIME! United 1-1 Sheffield United
That's the whistle for the break here.
45' - MUN 1-1 SHU - Three minutes added
Garnacho has wasted two big chances and doesn't have his shooting boots on tonight.
43' - MUN 1-1 SHU - Maguire responds
That was excellent from Maguire. His positioning was that of a striker and so was the header. United have probably avoided booing at half-time with that goal and Maguire, not needed by Ten Hag in the summer, has been in recent weeks. He is one of the few in-form players out there.
41' - MUN 1-1 SHU - GOAL! 1-1 UNITED! (Maguire)
United strike back with an almost immediate response thanks to a Maguire header.
Maguire has been brilliant this season and that was a great goal.
39' - MUN 0-1 SHU - 'Sacked in the morning'
Now it’s “You’re getting sacked in the morning” from the away end. If they hold on, that may be possible.
United have got plenty of time to salvage this. They’ve created decent openings and had a glorious chance to go 1-0 up through Garnacho. Sheffield United had the odd sighter before Bogle struck clinically, though.
