Sheffield United 2-3 Manchester United: Marcus Rashford scores twice for visitors

Marcus Rashford’s double ensured Manchester United maintained their perfect away record in the Premier League this season with a comeback victory over bottom club Sheffield United.

The visitors made a horror start as goalkeeper Dean Henderson, playing against his former club, was robbed by Blades forward Oliver Burke, allowing David McGoldrick to tap in.

John Fleck missed a glorious chance to make it 2-0, which proved costly as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side dominated thereafter against the winless Blades.

Rashford equalised after 26 minutes, his powerful strike from Victor Lindelof’s through ball giving Aaron Ramsdale no chance.

And after going close twice, Anthony Martial ended his 491-minute goal drought by collecting Paul Pogba’s pass and beating Ramsdale at the second attempt.

Rashford appeared to have made things comfortable nine minutes after the break by shooting under the diving Ramsdale following a swift counter attack.

There was a late scare when McGoldrick headed in from a corner with three minutes left for the hosts, and Henderson then saved Lys Mousset’s shot, but Solskjaer’s side held on.

Victory moves Manchester United to within a point of fourth-placed Leicester City, while Chris Wilder’s Blades chalked up an unwanted record of eight successive league defeats.

Away days continue to suit Solskjaer’s side

Manchester United boss Solskjaer appears to have come through the sticky patch which saw his position come under pressure last month following defeats by Arsenal and Istanbul Basaksehir.

They have since exited the Champions League, but after a slow start to their domestic campaign, their away form in the league has been a saving grace.

The baffling aspect is that despite picking up a sixth successive league win away from Old Trafford, in each game Solskjaer’s team have gone behind. It is almost as if they need the extra challenge to inspire them.

In this case, it was a woeful piece of play between former Sheffield United players Henderson and Harry Maguire after five minutes, with the goalkeeper hesitating before Burke closed him down, allowing McGoldrick to score his third goal of the season.

For Henderson, who is trying to challenge David de Gea to be first choice in goal, it was a poor reflection of the player who had excelled on loan at the Blades for the previous two seasons.

But it appeared to galvanise the visitors, who could have scored four or five goals before the break. Rashford was their chief tormentor, ably supported by Bruno Fernandes and Pogba in midfield.

Once Martial had finally got on the scoresheet, he then helped set up Rashford for his 12th of the season to become United’s top scorer.

It crowned a perfect evening for the 23-year-old, who earlier earned a Fifa Fair Play award in recognition of his inspirational charity work to combat child poverty.

There were further chances for Martial and substitute Juan Mata to make the game safe, and in the end United were reliant on their defence to keep them ahead as the hosts mounted their late revival.

More to follow.