November
A flat performance at Forest saw a Grabban goal decide a game of little quality from either side and then it was the Steel City Derby. United dominated from start to finish against a very negative Wednesday side but McGoldrick missed a penalty and despite completely dictating the game, they could not find the ***** goal.
A couple of weeks later, United were abject at the New York Stadium despite leading thanks to a lovely Duffy finish but somehow kept Rotherham to only one goal with Henderson denying them time after time. Unbelievably, Basham scored at the death and United had snatched it…or had they….a series of errors from player after player led to a Rotherham equaliser. In truth though United were lucky to take anything from the game.
After a poor month, United needed a big performance in the capital and got it winning 3-2 at Brentford with a superb Norwood strike and then a late winner from Clarke getting a crucial victory.
December
Leeds came to town riding high under the Bielsa led revolution but United were the better side but chances went begging and an awful Henderson error led to a tap in to give Leeds the win. Another flat showing at Reading a week later, saw United up the ante when it mattered and poacher Sharp and an own goal in as many minutes saw them get the win in front of the Sky cameras. Another television outing saw United take on West Brom but as they had in other games both this season and last, they controlled things, took the lead but failed to build on it and the Baggies got level before half time and then went onto win it. Even though United were still in 4th you felt that they still lacked the belief against the better teams and two disappointing defeats at the Lane in the month had some questioning if United could stay the course again. Only a point at a dreadful Ipswich side with a Sharp leveller; did not provide the bounce back the fans wanted to see.
Boxing Day saw Frank Lampard and Derby at the Lane. A big crowd saw United lead thanks to Sharp but United were denied a stonewall penalty and then Wilson hit an exocet of a free kick and it seemed a case of déjà vu against a fellow promotion contender. The crowd woke up after a melee after the Derby goal and the injustice of the officiating saw United’s fans turn up the decibel level. McGoldrick scored a peach of a lob at the Kop End and then Clarke nodded home via deflection and the crowd went berserk. United had finally beaten a rival at the top of the league. You felt the team get extra belief from this game and a few days later despite another shocking refereeing display that saw Basham unjustly sent off and then a Blackburn man also go soon after; Sharp scored a quick-fire brace and McGoldrick cleverly finished a team move and United won 3-0 in a game that they seemed to be in trouble at with 10 men at 0-0. United were back up to 4th place.
January
New Years Day and Wigan were turned aside with McGoldrick, Duffy and then Sharp; who in scoring broke the record for goals by a player in the English League since the millennium. United were looking the part now despite a desperately disappointing defeat to non-league Barnet where the back-ups/fringe players let manager Wilder down; the league form was solid. Kieran Dowell came in as an alternative in the attacking midfield position with Ben Woodburn going back to Liverpool after this particular moved had not worked out. Martin Cranie also earned a longer contract at United.
A workmanlike performance saw another McGoldrick goal against QPR settling the contest but the following week, the same man missed a big chance as did Sharp and Swansea completed the double with nemesis McBurnie scoring against the Blades again.
United bounced back to get a deserved draw at Norwich coming from behind twice with Sharp scoring both goals and bringing out an unusual celebration in tribute to former WWE star Mick Foley in the process of scoring his first goal! The fact United matched the Canaries was another positive sign as it seemed to be these two and Leeds who were jostling for the all-important positions. United were now 3rd place but had Boro, West Brom, Derby and a fast-improving Bristol City just behind them.
At the end of the month, United brought in additional striking options on loan with Scott Hogan coming in from Aston Villa and the more controversial Gary Madine arriving from Cardiff. Madine’s past history with United and especially skipper Sharp meant the move divided opinion. Out went Leon Clarke, on loan to Wigan.
February
Bolton provided tough opposition but McGoldrick and Sharp both scored again. The following week, United dominated Villa again and were 3-0 up with another Sharp hat trick and were coasting. The top of the league beckoned again but a series of individual errors saw United somehow let in three goals in less than 10 minutes (including stoppage time) and somehow, they had only drawn the game. It seemed a make or break moment in the season and players/fans were stunned at the complete throwaway.
The next game a gutsy performance where a number of key men were missing, saw Madine come on and make a difference and another forgotten man Stearman also came on and scored against a very direct and physical Pulis side who saw Ayala sent off for two cynical fouls. A few days later and the returning Freeman scored in the first attack and then Madine scored twice as United hammered Reading 4-0.
A series of crucial games beckoned and a tough trip to a talented West Brom side. Kieran Dowell scored after the centre back Cranie had sprinted forward to cross and United played very well. Henderson made a crucial late save but in truth United were full value for the win and the scenes at full time showed a togetherness on and off the field as United moved back into the promotion places.
March
The return game with Wednesday saw the third successive 0-0 draw with both sides missing a chance apiece but it was another dire game between the two city rivals. United then had two home games of a different type. Helped by a stupid red card from Millers skipper Vaulks, United scored early from a lovely set play routine finished by O’Connell and then Duffy hit a cracker to seal the win. The following Tuesday and United had to play with ten with Madine sent off with United leading at the time. A back to the wall performance saw some heroic defending for over an hour and then McGoldrick headed home to spark jubilant scenes and another massive victory.
United then went to Elland Road for the big promotion show down and were second best for much of the first half as Leeds missed some good chances. United gradually grew into the game and Basham, playing in an unfamiliar midfield role, got on the end of clever play from Sharp, to drive home. United saw things out and got the massive win.
After the international break, United went into the final run in placed in 2nd and with 8 games to play. United led twice against Bristol City and at 4.30pm United were 5 points ahead of Leeds as the Blades led and their Yorkshire rivals trailed. Things turned around though and a Weimann hat trick saw United suffer their first home defeat since mid-December and they were back down to third as Leeds went onto win.
April
A week later and it all turned around again as United won at Deepdale with McGoldrick getting another winner but former Blade Che Adams doing us a favour as he scored the winner for Birmingham against Leeds. Incredibly we saw another swing in the mid-week matches as Leeds won at Preston and United drew at St Andrews and it was the West Yorkshire side back in the box seat. The following week saw a pivotal turn in the race as United playing first took the lead against Millwall thanks to Gary Madine after good work from Fleck; but injuries to Basham and Sharp meant United lost their shape and composure. They were hanging on for the last 20 minutes and further disaster struck when Egan was sent off conceding a penalty. Millwall missed the spot kick but United did not heed the warning and a 94th minute leveller was an absolute body blow. To compound things Leeds beat city rivals Wednesday a few hours later and the lead was three points.
Good Friday saw Forest in town; a team United had not beaten since coming back up but United kept their nerve and a superb strike from Duffy and a late clincher from the excellent Enda Stevens. More drama came in a few hours later as Leeds lost at home to ten men Wigan with former Blades Leon Clarke and Lee Evans influential for the Latics.
A few days later and Easter Monday saw the Blades go to Hull. The Tigers had not lost at home this calendar year but United were rampant with McGoldrick scoring twice and then Stevens again making it 3-0. Leeds once again played a few hours later and they blew it again losing at Brentford. United now looked like they were on the cusp of promotion with two games to get the required three points, potentially only three with the superior goal difference. Incredibly they still had a sniff of the title with Norwich faltering with four straight draws.