Premier League UK Prediction 2023/2024 Sheffield United Vs Manchester United: Need Consistency

Midfielder Scott McTominay will be Manchester United's first choice to replace Casemiro who is absent against Sheffield United. (Twitter @ManUtd)

JAKARTA - Manchester United (MU) only need consistency to return to winning ways. The match against Sheffield United in the English Premier League at Bramall Lane Stadium, Saturday, October 21 evening WIB, should be an easy proof for MU.

If inconsistent, Sheffield is clearly MU's tough opponent who is chasing his second win after beating Brentford 2-1 through Scott McTominay's brace at the last minute.

Anything can happen if MU loses momentum and doesn't know how to win the game despite facing opponents who are at the bottom of the standings. Yes, Sheffield is in danger of returning to the Championship Division after successfully promoting this season.

When returning to the highest caste, The Blades did not seem to have enough preparation to compete. In the aftermath, they have not won in eight matches. Sheffield only drew once so they only pocketed one point.

If this bad trend continues and another defeat against MU, then Sheffield will be the first team in the highest caste to only get one point (or without getting points) during the first nine matches in domestic competition.

Sheffield made this bad achievement in the 2020/2021 season. As a result, they occupied the bottom of the standings and ended the competition by lowering caste. The situation is the same this season because they are also at the bottom.

But Sheffield's chances of winning the first victory remain open. The reason is, they face a team that is no different from a rollererbulent.

Sometimes they win, but MU loses more often which makes manager Erik ten Hag threatened to be fired. But the club brushed off the rumors and made sure they wouldn't dismiss the former Ajax Amsterdam coach.

How not, United have lost four of their first seven matches. Even the Red Devils lost at home in a row at home to Crystal Palace in the Premier League and then Galatasaray in the Champions League.

Luckily, MU was able to win after almost falling in the next home game against Brentford at Old Trafford. Until 90 minutes, MU was still 1-0 behind.

In a state of despair because the match entered the final minute, McTominay, who came on as a substitute, managed to buy up two goals. MU also turned things into a 2-1 win just a few moments during the final whistle.

Victory over Brentford should be MU's turning point to rise and not linger in the middle board. Currently, MU is still stuck in 10th place with 12 points. They are eight points adrift of the leaders of the Tottenham Hotspur standings.

MU does need consistency to prove that victory in the last match is not a lucky thing.

Ten Hag is optimistic that the three-point target will be achieved again in away matches. Casemiro's absence, who was injured in an ankle while defending the Brazilian national team in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, will not affect the stability of the team.

McTominay could have the opportunity to start replacing Casemiro. The captain of the Scottish national team will have a duet with Christian Eriksen or Sofyan Amrabat who has recovered from injury.

Apart from the defensive midfield position, Ten Hag did not change the composition of the players with the Rasmus Hojlund striker to spearhead. He was supported by Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.

In the back sector, centre-back Leandro Martinez could not be expected due to a leg injury that kept him out for long. This means Raphael Varane is paired with Victor Lindelof in the defense and Sergio Reguilon is operating on the left.

Ten Hag hopes that goalkeeper Andre Onana will no longer make blunders or unnecessary mistakes so as not to concede. This at least helped MU win.

Meanwhile, Sheffield lost another pillar player, Chris Basham, to a 3-1 loss to Fulham. Basham followed John Egan, who was injured and they had to miss until the end of the season.

With Basham absent, manager Paul Heckingbottom will rely on Jack Robinson alongside Anel Ahmedhodzic and Auston Trusty on the defense. Meanwhile, Luke Thomas and Jayden Bogle played as full-backs.

Manchester City loan players James McAtee and John Fleck occupy the center. Striker Cameron Archer plays center forward with the support of Benie Traore and Oli McBurnie.

Both teams are not yet consistent. However, MU is still above the wind and has the opportunity to win this away match.

Player Composition Forecast

Sheffield United (3-4-2-1): Foderingham; Trusty, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson; Bogle, Norwood, Souza, Thomas; Hamer, McAtee; Archer

Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Reguilon; Amrabat, McTominay; Fernandes, Mount, Rashford; Hojlund