Manchester Utd v Sheffield Utd: Premier League betting preview, free tip & TV

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Manchester United v Sheffield United in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Where to watch

Live on Sky One, Sky Sports Premier League & Main Event, 6pm Wednesday

Best bet

Manchester United to win & over 2.5 goals
2pts 7-5 Betway

Team news

Manchester United
Paul Pogba is pushing for a start after returning from injury as a substitute at Tottenham. Victor Lindelof limped off at Spurs and is a slight doubt so Eric Bailly could return at centre-back.

Sheffield United
John Egan is suspended after his red card at Newcastle and goalkeeper Dean Henderson is ineligible to play against his parent club. Simon Moore is likely to deputise in goal but defender Jack O'Connell and striker David McGoldrick are doubts.

Match preview

Few would have expected Sheffield United to be just two points behind Manchester United after 30 games of the Premier League season but the Blades are 8-1 to leapfrog the Red Devils with a victory at an empty Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.

Behind-closed-doors contests have inevitably diluted the intensity of the Premier League, although these clubs have been involved in eventful games since the resumption of the season.

An error by the goal-line technology denied Sheffield United in their goalless draw at Villa Park, while Manchester United's first-half display against Tottenham was so poor that it even managed to enrage mild-mannered pundit Roy Keane.

The Red Devils rallied to take a point at Spurs and they face a depleted Blades side who suffered their heaviest defeat of the season at Newcastle on Sunday.

Chris Wilder's men lost 3-0, having had defensive rock John Egan sent off just after half-time when the game was goalless.

Despite that defeat, they still have the second-best defensive record in the Premier League, behind runaway leaders Liverpool, although Wilder will be forced into a major reshuffle at the back at Old Trafford.

Egan is suspended, Jack O'Connell – who has started 28 of their 30 league games – is a major doubt and ace goalkeeper Dean Henderson cannot play as he is on loan from Manchester United.

Henderson's displays this season, coupled with the indifferent performances of David de Gea, have marked him out as a potential number one at Old Trafford.

He had to sit out the reverse fixture in November in which the Blades led 2-0, then trailed 3-2, before scoring a late equaliser through Oli McBurnie. Before the collapse against Newcastle that was the only time they had conceded more than twice in a league game this season.

The trip to Manchester looks a real test of Wilder's motivational powers as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side, despite their rustiness at Tottenham, pose a serious attacking threat.

The Red Devils had been ticking along nicely before the season was suspended, beating Chelsea and Manchester City in the league, reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals, and winning the away leg of their last-16 Europa League tie against LASK 5-0.

January signing Fernandes played a major part in that fine run while the returns from injury of Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba have boosted their chances of a successful end to their campaign.

The strength in depth of Solskjaer's squad is in contrast to Wilder's resources and Manchester United, despite their shaky defensive display at Spurs, have the firepower to win well.

Key stat

Manchester United have scored 29 of their 45 league goals at Old Trafford.

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