'Reality check' - National media verdict on Manchester United's shock defeat to Sheffield United

straight to your inbox every day for freeWhen Marcus Rashford was asked to move from the right of the Manchester United attack to the left at The Hawthorns on Sunday it was a trudge across the pitch he has become used to.In three of his last six games for United Rashford has occupied both wing positions in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's three-pronged attack at one stage or another.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United slumped to a frustrating 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday afternoon, falling seven points off Manchester City's Premier League title pace.City also have a game in hand against Everton in midweek, only adding further assurance that United's title hopes are hanging by a thread.United started the game on the wrong foot, Victor Lindelof failing to deal with Mbaye Diagne as the bustling West Brom forward nodded home the opening

straight to your inboxManchester City saw off Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table. Ilkay Gundogan netted twice for City after Rodrigo had opened the scoring from the penalty spot in Saturday's clash at the Etihad Stadium.

straight to your inbox every day for free Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made five changes to his Manchester United side to face West Brom in a bid to keep his squad fresh in a congested season. David de Gea, Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani are back into the team from the side that beat West Ham United 1-0 in the FA Cup on Tuesday.

straight to your inboxManchester City took a giant stride towards regaining the Premier League crown on Sunday with an emphatic win over Liverpool. Pep Guardiola’s men returned from Anfield five points clear of second-placed Manchester United and 10 ahead of the current champions thanks to a 4-1 win.City also have a game in hand over their rivals and are well placed at the summit thanks to goals from Ilkay Gundogan (two), Raheem Sterling and man of the match Phil Foden.

direct to your inboxTobin Heath, one of the Reds’ two big American summer signings, is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The 32-year-old had turned down the opportunity to attend a United States camp so she could stay in Manchester - and shortly after doing so, picked up an ankle injury."Unfortunately it is a longer one," Manchester United head coach Casey Stoney said.

direct to your inboxManchester United Women manager Casey Stoney lamented her side’s missed chances as they were beaten 2-0 by Reading in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League. Two goals in two minutes from the visitors ensured they claimed all three points as United suffered their first home defeat since January 2020.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United were held to a draw as Dominic Calvert-Lewin struck deep into injury-time to earn Everton a last-gasp point at Old Trafford last night. United looked set to hold on for a 3-2 win before Calvert-Lewin latched onto Michael Keane’s flick on from a free-kick to beat David De Gea in the 94th minute to make it 3-3.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United fans were ecstatic on social media after Jesse Lingard scored twice for West Ham United on debut.The Englishman joined the Hammers for the remainder of the season after falling out of favour at Old Trafford.

straight to your inbox every day for freeOle Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed the match delegate for Manchester United's defeat to Sheffield United concluded the referee was wrong to let Kean Bryan's opening goal stand and disallow Anthony Martial's equaliser.Bryan nodded in from a corner to give the bottom side the lead in the first-half but replays showed Billy Sharp nudged United goalkeeper David de Gea, beaten in the air by Bryan.Later in the first half, Harry Maguire challenged Aaron Ramsdale

direct to your inboxCasey Stoney has a team laced with match-winners, but the Manchester United Women boss saved special praise for in-form star Ella Toone.The 21-year-old forward put the gloss on last week's win over Birmingham City and bagged another poacher's effort in a 2-0 win over challengers Everton in the Barclays FA Women's Super League. Toone's role in the United frontline continues to change and she has added goals to her contribution, a fact acknowledged by her manager.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United missed the opportunity to close the gap on Manchester City in the Premier League title race when they drew with Arsenal yesterday. Edinson Cavani spurned two good chances inside the six-yard box from crosses as United drew 0-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

straight to your inboxChris Wilder says he doesn't have a clue how he will stop Manchester City when he takes his Sheffield United side to the Etihad in the Premier League on Saturday.City are on an 11 game winning run, while the Blades recorded just their second win of the season at Manchester United this week. They will have to put in another heroic performance to stop City, though, with Pep Guardiola's men in superb form recently which peaked with the 5-0 mauling of West Brom.

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe has broken his silence after being racially abused on social media following the side's 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United.Tuanzebe made his first Premier League start for United since October 2019 at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening, but the night turned sour for the centre-back with what happened following the game.

straight to your inbox every day for freeOwen Hargreaves criticised Manchester United's attacking quintet during the defeat by Sheffield United at Old Trafford.Goals from Kean Bryan and Oliver Burke secured victory for Chris Wilder's men - only their second of the Premier League season far.The result has dented United's unlikely challenge, with their below-par home record continuing under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.Solskjaer paid the price for his team selection with Anthony Martial, who was selected

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United fans have been reacting to a moment in the second half of Wednesday's loss to Sheffield United which perfectly highlighted the difference in work ethic of Bruno Fernandes and Anthony Martial during the game. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Blades at Old Trafford.

straight to your inbox every day for free Pundits have criticised Manchester United for their defending in the defeat to Sheffield United on Tuesday night.

straight to your inbox every day for free Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has spoken of his delight after his side produced a 'special' performance to beat a 'fabulous' Manchester United on Wednesday night. Goals from Kean Bryan and Oliver Burke secured an unlikely win for the Blades at Old Trafford as they took full advantage of an awful display from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.

straight to your inbox every day for freeDavid de GeaBilly Sharp's shove could not legislate for De Gea's feeble goalkeeping as United conceded from yet another corner. Abysmal clearance for the second.

straight to your inbox every day for freeRio Ferdinand was critical of Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Alex Telles, David de Gea and Nemanja Matic after Manchester United lost to Sheffield United.United fell to a shock 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, with goals from Kean Bryan and Oliver Burke securing only a second Premier League victory of the season for the visitors.