50 Premier League opponents: Sheffield United to Stoke

To mark Manchester United facing a 50th different club in the Premier League, following Luton Town's promotion, we're recalling our record against each one and showing the highlights from some classic meetings.

SHEFFIELD UNITED

Sheffield United were one of the founding members of the Premier League in 1992 but just two seasons after its inception, the Blades were relegated to the second tier. Across their three stints in the top-flight, we have faced the South Yorkshire side 10 times, only losing twice. The defeats bookend our record against Sheffield United to date, with the 2-1 loss at Bramall Lane in 1992 the first time we met in the Premier League, and our 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford in 2021 the last time we played them in the division. Under the management of Paul Heckingbottom, however, the Blades will be playing Premier League football once more in 2023/24.

Classic match: United 3 Sheffield United 0 (2019/20)

In Sheffield United's first visit to Old Trafford since 2007, their 2020 trip to the Theatre of Dreams was particularly memorable for current Reds striker Anthony Martial. The Frenchman struck twice in the first half and then once again in the second to earn three points for Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer's team and grab his first-ever hat-trick for the club. He also became the first French player to hit three goals in a game for the Reds and took his tally to 19 goals for the season - a personal best.

Premier League record

Matches played: 10
United wins: 7
Draws: 1
Sheffield United wins: 2
United goals: 23
Sheffield United goals: 11
Top scorer: Anthony Martial (4)

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY

Another club steeped in history is Sheffield Wednesday, who United have faced 16 times in the Premier League. Wednesday were one of the division's founding clubs and remained in the league from its creation until 2000. Since then, the Owls have failed to return to the top-flight, and gained promotion back to the Championship for 2023/24, having spent last season in League One. The Reds edge our record against the Owls, but games were rarely short of action - both at Old Trafford and Hillsborough.

Classic match: United 2 Sheffield Wednesday 1 (1992/93)

Our most famous clash with Sheffield Wednesday is undoubtedly the 1993 meeting at Old Trafford. Steve Bruce stole the headlines and edged United closer to the title, in the Premier League's inaugural season, with two late goals. John Sheridan had put the visitors ahead in the 64th minute and it seemed as though Wednesday were going to hand Aston Villa the advantage in the title race. However, Bruce levelled in the 86th with a header and rose up once more in the sixth minute of injury time to seal a win that seemed unlikely just mere moments prior. Elation and joy followed, with United continuing our form and going on to win the first-ever Premier League title.

Premier League record

Matches played: 16
United wins: 9
Draws: 4
Wednesday wins: 3
United goals: 34
Wednesday goals: 16
Top scorer: Eric Cantona (5)

SOUTHAMPTON

Southampton's 11-year stay in the Premier League ended at the conclusion of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign, with the Saints also having been in the division from 1992 to 2005. The Reds have played the south-coast side 48 times in the top-flight, winning 29 of these meetings. Twelve have ended in a draw, while Southampton were on the winning side seven times. This fixture has produced 151 goals over the years, with United's 9-0 victory in 2021 and 6-1 in 2001 standing out, in particular.

Classic match: United 9 Southampton 0 (2020/21)

We matched our biggest-ever Premier League victory, set in 1995 against Ipswich Town, when the Saints visited the Theatre of Dreams in 2021. Alexandre Jankewitz was sent off for Southampton just two minutes in, for a high challenge on Scott McTominay, and United were in ruthless mood. We were 4-0 up at half-time, thanks to efforts from Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani and an own goal from Saints defender Jan Bednarek. It got worse for the visitors when play resumed, with Anthony Martial grabbing a brace and Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes and Daniel James all getting on the scoresheet as well. A match to remember for United, and one to forget for the Saints.

Premier League record

Matches played: 48
United wins: 29
Draws: 12
Southampton wins: 7
United goals: 99
Southampton goals: 52
Top scorer: Ruud van Nistelrooy (7)

STOKE CITY

Stoke first arrived in the Premier League in 2008 and kept their top-flight status for 10 years, not featuring in the division since their 2018 relegation. We therefore played them 20 times, and won 13 of these clashes. Five ended as draws with the Potters only mustering two wins over the Reds during their time in the Premier League. Both of these results occurred at the Britannia Stadium, in 2014 and 2015, respectively, while the 2016 draw at Old Trafford is the only point the Potters achieved in M16 during their time in the top-flight. 

Classic match: Stoke City 1 United 2 (2010/11)

When United travelled to Stoke in October 2010, Javier Hernandez was the difference-maker for the Reds. The Mexican forward put us ahead in the first half and, as the match entered the closing stages, it seemed as though his one goal was going to be enough for all three points. The hosts had other ideas, with Tuncay Sanli levelling the scores with only nine minutes to go. But in the 86th minute, Hernandez improvised superbly to send a backwards header past Thomas Sorensen to earn the victory - United's first away win of the season.

Premier League record

Matches played: 20
United wins: 13
Draws: 5
Stoke wins: 2
United goals: 42
Stoke goals: 17
Top scorer: Javier Hernandez, Wayne Rooney (5)