By Simon Peach, PA Chief Football Writer
Sheffield United stunned title-chasing Manchester United as substitute Olivier Burke secured Chris Wilder’s rock-bottom side just their second Premier League win of a wretched season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men were riding the crest of a wave after Sunday’s FA Cup win against Liverpool, only to be brought crashing down to earth on a night when many expected them to go back top of the league.
Ex-Manchester City youth prospect Kean Bryan gave the visitors a shock lead that former Blades defender Harry Maguire cancelled out, only for Burke’s heavily-deflected strike to seal the visitors a shock 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
Even in such an unpredictable season, few could have foreseen this result.
The Blades had just five points to show from their first 19 games – the worst haul in Premier League history – and had not beaten the Red Devils since 1993, with their previous Old Trafford victory coming in 1973.
Kean got them off the mark from a corner as Billy Sharp’s push on David De Gea went unpunished midway through a first half in which Anthony Martial saw an equaliser ruled out.
The ineffective hosts eventually clawed one back through Maguire’s header from a corner, but Solskjaer’s comeback kings faltered in embarrassing fashion.
Sheffield United capitalised on some atrocious defending and Burke saw his effort rifle in off Axel Tuanzebe, sealing just a fourth win of the season in all competitions for his side.
