Manchester United came back twice to secure a 4-2 win over Sheffield United at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.
At Old Trafford, Ten Hag’s team trailed the Premier League’s lowest team twice before Fernandes saved his struggling manager’s bacon in the second half.
The Blades took the lead thanks to a goal from Jayden Bogle, and even though Harry Maguire pulled one back before halftime, Ben Brereton Diaz quickly gave the visitors their lead back.
With nine minutes remaining, the Portugal midfielder’s long-range rocket gave United the lead after Fernandes had saved Ten Hag with a penalty kick.
After defeating Everton on March 9, United had not won a league game in five, and Rasmus Hojlund secured their fourth.
“I think we played quite well, also creating many more chances. Many positives. But also negatives. Conceding two goals from give-aways. It’s unacceptable,” Ten Hag said.
“I’m happy with the win overall. Have you seen some panic? No, not at all. We were very composed. We have to learn from this.”
It was a short-lived respite for Ten Hag, who intends to win the FA Cup and finish high enough to qualify for the Europa League in order to turn around sixth-place United’s miserable season.
“We are striving to progress the team. The number of goals we are scoring in this moment is a huge progress. If we have our back four back together, then I’m sure we will be more consistent,” Ten Hag said.
Just one year after being promoted from the Championship, the Blades are sliding towards relegation with just four games remaining and 10 points from safety.
Following United’s stuttering victory over Coventry on Sunday, which sent them into the FA Cup final, Ten Hag was subjected to biting criticism.
At Wembley, United let a three-goal lead slip away in the closing 19 minutes of regulation play and narrowly prevailed in a penalty shootout to set up a final meeting with Manchester City.
After coming under fire for his careless performance, Ten Hag mounted a fierce defence of his qualifications on Tuesday, calling the media’s critical coverage of the semifinal a “disgrace” and asserting that he had been successful for the previous ten years.
However, Jim Ratcliffe, a co-owner of United, is said to have ordered Jason Wilcox, the team’s new technical director, to examine Ten Hag’s training regimen and occasionally tense relationships with his players.
Wes Foderingham, the goalie, brilliantly parried a hard effort from United’s Diogo Dalot, before Wilcox, watching from the directors box, could even take a seat.
Andre Onana gave the visitors the lead in the 35th minute, shocking United.
The Blades midfielder intercepted the pass before blasting into the empty net because the United keeper was trying to toss the ball to Dalot and failed to see Bogle standing in his way.
Ten Hag was visibly distraught on the sidelines following United’s 75th goal given up in all competitions this year, the most the team has given up in a single season since 1977–1978.
Just seven minutes had passed when Maguire, following a controversial foul on Kobbie Mainoo, bent to head in Alejandro Garnacho’s free kick, putting United down.
However, United’s shoddy defence was once again exposed in the 50th minute as they gave up two goals in a game for the fifth straight game.
After Ben Osborn returned the ball to Brereton Diaz, the latter punished careless marking by slotting a stylish finish past Onana.
After Maguire was brought down, Fernandes scored a penalty in the 61st minute to bring United back to parity.
Ten Hag was relieved when Fernandes scored in the 81st minute, breaking through midfield and putting a beautiful 30-yard strike past Foderingham.
After going eight games without a goal, Hojlund gave Ten Hag some breathing room four minutes later by putting in Fernandes’ cross.
Photo by EPA/PETER POWELL
