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Manchester United will be eager to avoid their second humiliation in four days when they host Sheffield United this week, live on talkSPORT 2.

The Red Devils reached the FA Cup final on Sunday but not until after they had thrown away a 3-0 lead and been taken to penalties by Championship side Coventry

Man United only managed to scrape past Coventry
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Man United only managed to scrape past CoventryCredit: Getty

Erik ten Hag’s side celebrated half-heartedly as they won the shootout, with the Dutchman's job coming under huge threat despite progress to the showpiece match.

They now return to Premier League action and are desperate for a big win against the bottom-of-the-table Blades who may fancy their chances at a shock. 

Man United vs Sheffield United: Erik’s embarrassment 

Jamie Carragher thinks no squad in football history will be more embarrassed following a huge victory than Man United.

The former Liverpool defender believes Ten Hag is destined to be sacked despite getting his side into the FA Cup final.

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Carragher told Sky Sports: "I think that result has just cost Erik ten Hag his job. I think that result has just cost Erik ten Hag his job.

"It’s just poor performance after poor performance. That dressing room is probably the most embarrassed dressing room from a team that has just won a big game.

"You can’t even celebrate that win. Maybe that can somehow win the final but I just don’t see any progress.

"This is somebody’s job we’re talking about, but I just don’t see how they [the owners] can look at the situation and be positive about it. I don’t see it."

Ten Hag has come under masses of criticism
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Ten Hag has come under masses of criticismCredit: Getty
  • Sheffield United won 2-1 in their last away league game against Manchester United in January 2021, ending a run of seven straight such defeats at Old Trafford. They last won consecutive visits to face the Red Devils in April/December 1973.
  • Manchester United have won eight of their last 10 Premier League games against Sheffield United (D1 L1), though the only defeat in that run was the last time they faced them at Old Trafford in January 2021 (1-2).

Man United vs Sheffield United: Team news 

United are dealing with an injury crisis after having to name Casemiro and Harry Maguire as their latest centre-back partnership. 

Maguire is the only fit centre-back at the club with Willy Kambwala now joining Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans on the sidelines. 

Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are also still out while Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat seem to have picked up new issues. 

Marcus Rashford was also spotted limping out of Wembley following the semi-final.

As for Sheffield United, they also have a lengthy list of absentees. 

Rhian Brewster could return but Jack Robinson, Tom Davies, George Baldock, John Egan, Rhys-Norrington Davies, Max Lowe and Chris Basham are all out. 

Sheffield United look set for relegation but could fancy their chances at Old Trafford
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Sheffield United look set for relegation but could fancy their chances at Old TraffordCredit: Getty
Mark Goldbridge claims Manchester United 'don't belong' in the Champions League and believes the players aren't good enough for their style of play
  • Manchester United have faced 20 or more shots in each of their last six Premier League games (157 total - 26.2 per game); since Opta have full shot data in the competition (from 2003-04), only Blackpool have had a longer run of facing 20+ shots (8 games from November 2010 to January 2011).
  • Manchester United have won just one of their last seven Premier League games (D3 L3) and are winless in their last four (D3 L1). They last had a longer run without a league win in April/May 2019 (5).

Man United vs Sheffield United: What has been said? 

Ten Hag has called for togetherness after his side only just managed to beat Championship opposition at the weekend. 

He said: “Always we are together and it's about the togetherness on the pitch, the togetherness off the pitch and the bench. 

“Definitely subs playing a very important role, but the fans as well. We are in there together and we are in a fight and we will return to the times where United are winning a lot and going a minimum every year for one trophy. 

“To get this you need a togetherness, you need a fight together, you need an ambience to create. And there the fans are hugely important. 

“So I will say thank you to the fans and to stick together and to back us.”

Ten Hag wants his team and the fans to stick together
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Ten Hag wants his team and the fans to stick togetherCredit: Getty
  • No Sheffield United player has been directly involved in more Premier League goals this season than Gustavo Hamer (9 – 4 goals, 5 assists). He is one goal away from becoming only the third player to record 5+ goals and 5+ assists in the same Premier League season for the Blades, after Brian Deane in 1992-93 (15 goals, 10 assists), and Dane Whitehouse in 1993-94 (5 goals, 6 assists).
  • Bruno Fernandes has scored five goals in his last five Premier League appearances for Manchester United, netting in each of the last three. Only once has he scored in four consecutive league games for the Red Devils, doing so in February 2021 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Man United vs Sheffield United: talkSPORT coverage 

This Premier League clash will take place on Wednesday, April 24. 

Kick-off at Old Trafford is scheduled for 8pm. 

Read More on talkSPORT

talkSPORT 2 will have EXCLUSIVE live coverage of the game.

Commentary will come from Ian Danter and former England defender Micky Gray. 

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