Sheffield United’s The Notebook: Record-breaking leaky defence, Man United oppose spending cap, and Ethan Wheatley becomes 250th academy graduate to debut for Red Devils

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Manchester United came from behind twice to beat strugglers Sheffield United 4-2 at Old Trafford. 

Chris Wilder’s struggling Blades took a shock lead through Jayden Bogle’s 35th minute strike before Harry Maguire levelled the score three minutes before the break. 

The visitors retook the lead when Ben Brereton Diaz scored his fifth goal in 10 matches five minutes into the second-half. 

But a Bruno Fernandes brace and a Rasmus Hojlund goal sealed victory for Erik ten Hag’s men. 

Mail Sport’s Nathan Salt takes a look at some of things you may have missed. 

Manchester United came from behind twice to beat Sheffield United 4-2 at Old Trafford

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HISTORY FOR BLADES

To add to what has been a miserable season for Sheffield United, they have now conceded 92 goals in the Premier League, surpassing Derby’s record across a 38-match season.

And the season isn’t over yet… sheesh.

Sheffield United have conceded 92 goals in the Premier League, surpassing Derby's record

Sheffield United have conceded 92 goals in the Premier League, surpassing Derby’s record

 

SO TOO DOES ETHAN

Ethan Wheatley has been in and around the first team group for a while now, with the gangly teenage striker impressing coaches at Carrington.

And while Erik ten Hag wasn’t there to witness his brace for the Under-18s in the Premier League Cup final on Tuesday night, it won’t have escaped his attention.

It made the nine-minute debut Wheatley was handed here even more special, with the forward becoming the 250th academy graduate to win a debut for the first team.

He’ll have a job topping this week!

Ethan Wheatley became the 250th academy graduate to win a debut for Man United

Ethan Wheatley became the 250th academy graduate to win a debut for Man United

 

UNITED TO STAND AGAINST CAP

Manchester United are one of a growing number of Premier League clubs strongly opposed to an ‘anchoring’ spending cap.

Mail Sport understands officials at Old Trafford are vehemently against the proposal, which would see the amount a side could spend on wages linked to the amount of TV money handed to the club that finishes bottom.

The idea of anchoring is to try and keep a competitive balance within the league and ensure that it remains attractive to broadcasters.

United’s stance may well cause a headache for the top flight ahead of a meeting of clubs in London on Monday.

Man United are one of a number of Premier League clubs strongly opposed to a spending cap

Man United are one of a number of Premier League clubs strongly opposed to a spending cap

 

FAST STARTERS

Sheffield United have enjoyed Old Trafford in recent times, and Jayden Bogle’s opener made it the third time they have taken the lead on their last two visits to this ground.

Only unlike in 2021, when they won 2-1 here, it wouldn’t last.

Jayden Bogle’s opener made it the third time Sheffield United  have taken the lead on their last two visits to Old Trafford

Jayden Bogle’s opener made it the third time Sheffield United  have taken the lead on their last two visits to Old Trafford

 

LOOKING FOR LOUIS

There has been so much fluidity between United’s first team, Under-21s and Under-18s of late that the programme hasn’t been able to keep up.

Louis Jackson, who made the bench for the first time at Wembley on Sunday in the 4-2 penalty shootout win over Coventry, was again involved due to injury woe in defence for Erik ten Hag.

But despite United’s squad on the back of the matchday programme running from Andre Onana (No 1) to Ethan Wheatley (No 84), there was no sign of Jackson.

Louis Jackson, who made the bench again, was named in the matchday programme

Louis Jackson, who made the bench again, was named in the matchday programme 

 

KIDS’ BUSY 24 HOURS

Speaking of the U18s, it has been a whirlwind 24 hours for a few of them having won the Premier League Cup on Tuesday night, before joining the first team squad to face Sheffield United.

Ten Hag was eager not to rob a handful of academy stars the chance to participate in the cup final against Manchester City and so it was agreed with U18s boss Adam Lawrence that those involved last night could play 45 minutes.

That meant Harry Amass, Jackson and Wheatley all came off at the break, with United leading 2-0 thanks to Wheatley’s brace, before Habeeb Ogunneye played in the second half.

Given it was an U18s trophy celebration there was, thankfully for Ten Hag, no sore heads on matchday.

It has been a whirlwind 24 hours for some United youngsters having won the Premier League Cup on Tuesday night

It has been a whirlwind 24 hours for some United youngsters having won the Premier League Cup on Tuesday night

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