Match Preview: United v Sheffield United

The Reds are back in Premier League action at the Theatre of Dreams for the first time since New Year’s Day when we overcame Aston Villa 2-1.

This time, it's the visit of Chris Wilder’s men and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be hoping to secure a similar outcome as our last meeting with the Blades. Back in December, United won 3-2 at Bramall Lane, thanks to a Marcus Rashford double and a strike from Anthony Martial. 

Ahead of the midweek encounter, here’s everything you need to know…

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?

The match at Old Trafford kicks off at 20:15 GMT on Wednesday night and will be broadcast live in the UK onBT Sport. You can follow all the action on ManUtd.com and in our Official App, where you can also track in-game data via our Match Centre. MUTV will also provide build-up, live radio commentary and post-match reaction, as well as showing full reruns of the game the following day. The Match Day Live programme on MUTV starts at 19:10 GMT.

HOW DO I BUY A PROGRAMME?

The Sheffield United issue of United Review, our official matchday programme, is available to purchase here.

TEAM NEWS

Victor Lindelof was back in the side against Liverpool in the Emirates FA Cup st the weekend after missing our league match against Fulham some days earlier. Eric Bailly was not involved against our arch-rivals, however, Ole reassured the media that was a precaution and that the Ivorian will be available for selection against Sheffield United. Marcus Rashford had to limp off in the cup tie, but our Norwegian manager hopes it is nothing serious for the player who has featured in every game so far this campaign. Brandon Williams returned to training on Monday, having been out recently. Phil Jones seems to be our only injury absentee for this fixture.

For the visitors, defender John Egan will be absent through suspension, after he picked up his fifth booking of the campaign last time out against Tottenham Hotspur. Ben Osborn and Ollie McBurnie are doubts for this one, but could return from recent knocks. Sander Berge and Jack O’Connell remain sidelined with long-term injuries.

It’s top against bottom in this league fixture. The Reds sit top of the table, however that might change ahead of kick-off as Manchester City can overtake us with a win against West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday. United are in brilliant form and are unbeaten in the league since the start of November. In our last 13 league fixtures since the defeat to Arsenal, United have won 10 matches, with the remaining three ending even.

Meanwhile, the Blades sit bottom having only picked up five points this campaign. Despite that, Wilder’s side have found a bit of form in recent weeks. The Yorkshire side have won three of the last four in all competitions and earned their first Premier League win of the season with a 1-0 triumph over Newcastle United on 12 January.

HEAD TO HEAD

Historically, we've fared well against Sheffield United. The Reds and the Blades have met on 96 occasions in all competitions with Manchester Untied coming out on top in 46 of them. The Yorkshire side have won 34 of the encounters, with 16 matches ending all square. Since the visitors’ Premier League return, our meetings have provided high-scoring games. Our first duel since their comeback ended 3-3 at Bramall Lane after United came back from two goals. Last summer, Anthony Martial’s hat-trick, his first for the club, secured a 3-0 win at the Theatre of Dreams. During our most recent meeting, in December, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side fell behind early on but produced a trademark comeback to emerge with a 3-2 win on the road.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Club captain Billy Sharp has scored in both of Sheffield United’s last two wins and will provide a physical battle for our centre-backs if he is involved on Wednesday. So will David McGoldrick, who scored twice when the Blades and the Reds met at Bramall Lane in December. The former Ipswich Town frontman is the team’s leading goal scorer this season, having found the net five times in the Premier League and once in the Carabao Cup.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Peter Bankes
Assistant referees: Neil Davies & Nick Hopton
Fourth official: Martin Atkinson
VAR: David Coote
Assistant VAR: Marc Perry

WHO ELSE IS PLAYING?

There’s plenty of action elsewhere in the Premier League, with a full midweek round taking place. Here’s how it shapes up…

TUESDAY 26 JANUARY

Crystal Palace v West Ham United (18:00 GMT)
Newcastle United v Leeds United (18:00 GMT)
Southampton v Arsenal (20:15 GMT)
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City (20:15 GMT)

WEDNESDAY 27 JANUARY

Burnley v Aston Villa (18:00 GMT)
Chelsea v Wolverhampton Wanderers (18:00 GMT)
Brighton & Hove Albion v Fulham (19:30 GMT)
Everton v Leicester City (20:15 GMT)
UNITED v Sheffield United (20:15 GMT)

THURSDAY 28 JANUARY

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool (20:00 GMT)