A superb goal from Diogo Dalot earned Manchester United back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time this season as they beat struggling Sheffield United 2-1 on an emotional night for the club after the death of Sir Bobby Charlton. 

How it unfolded

Before kick-off, Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes paid tribute to Sir Bobby by laying a wreath in the centre circle and the crowd broke into applause as a moment’s silence was started.

But it was Sheff Utd who started the stronger and almost scored in the third minute when Oli McBurnie was one-on-one with Andre Onana, but the striker shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Onana was called into action again in the 24th minute, making a diving save to his right to keep out a long-range effort from Cameron Archer.

Scott McTominay, Man Utd’s two-goal hero in their previous match at home to Brentford, broke the deadlock against the run of play five minutes later. He controlled a difficult pass from Fernandes with his chest before finding the bottom right corner with a scruffy finish.

But the Scot quickly went from hero to zero as he handled James McAtee’s cross only three minutes later to allow McBurnie to level the scores from the penalty spot.

Fernandes glanced the crossbar just two minutes before the break with a free-kick. Sheff Utd goalkeeper Wes Foderingham brilliantly denied Rasmus Hojlund a first Premier League goal two minutes into additional time at the end of the first half.

Rhian Brewster almost scored 40 seconds after coming on for the injured McBurnie but his swerving shot was stopped by the wrongfooted Onana. That was the last threat that Sheff Utd posed as Man Utd started to up the pressure.

Sofyan Amrabat came close to his first goal for Man Utd but saw his fierce 25-yard shot bounce off the bar.

The Red Devils finally found the winner in the 77th minute when Diogo Dalot’s brilliant curling strike from outside of the box found the top corner, despite a despairing hand from Foderingham.

The win lifts Man Utd to eight with 15 points, while Sheff Utd remain bottom with only one, a position after nine matches that no team have avoided relegation from.

Sheff Utd report | Man Utd report

Match officials

Referee: Michael Oliver. Assistants: Lee Betts, Dan Cook. Fourth official: Andy Davies. VAR: John Brooks. Assistant VAR: Akil Howson.