Manchester United 1-2 Sheffield United: 5 talking points as Red Devils falter on home soil | Premier League 2020-21 

#3 Old Trafford woes continue for Manchester United

Manchester United struggle at home

Manchester United have been almost invincible on the road this season. Earlier on, they set a club record for most consecutive away Premier League victories.

However, the same cannot be said about their home form, with this being their fourth defeat from just 10 league games at Old Trafford.

Ole makes his final two changes of the night 🔄💻 https://t.co/YS4CBzXRmU🔴 #MUFC#️⃣ #MUNSHU🏆 #PL pic.twitter.com/U9KAPr0rnf

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 27, 2021

By contrast, the club are yet to lose on the road this season and sit at the top of the away table, with eight wins and two draws recorded from 10 games on their travels this term.

Once upon a time, Manchester United based their successes on making Old Trafford an almost impenetrable fortress, with visiting teams beaten before they stepped onto the field

While their form on the road might be the toast of the league, the lack of dominance on their own turf is a cause for concern.

#2 Shaky De Gea guilty in both goals

David De Gea was partly at fault for the two goals conceded by Manchester United

David de Gea was once arguably the standout goalkeeper in the league but his form in recent years have left a lot to be desired.

Despite the arrival of Dean Henderson, the Spaniard remains first choice but he would not want to look back on his performance against Sheffield United.

The 30-year-old failed to impose himself to deal properly with the corner by John Fleck, while he should have got a stronger hand when he came out to punch.

Those high claims in the final moments.Rammers. 👊 pic.twitter.com/VJ1m7bA4Q7

— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) January 27, 2021

This allowed Bryan a free header in the middle of the six-yard area to put the visitors 1-0 up.

The Manchester United goalkeeper should also have cleared more emphatically when he was given a back pass, with his weak shot putting the United defence under pressure.

While he was not entirely to blame for both goals conceded by the Red Devils, more decisive goalkeeping from David de Gea would have prevented his side from conceding the two goals.

#1 Advantage Manchester City in the title race

Manchester City hold a one point advantage over Manchester United

Just few weeks ago, Manchester City were a club seemingly in crisis. Several injury problems, coupled with a lack of attacking verve, saw many rule them out of the title race.

However, the centurions have rediscovered their mojo in recent weeks, and an 11-game winning run in all competitions has propelled them to the summit of the table.

Their emphatic 5-0 defeat of West Brom on Tuesday saw the Cityzens climb to first position with a point advantage.

A victory for Manchester United would have seen the Red Devils usurp their city rivals once again. However, United's shock defeat at home means that the status quo was maintained at the summit of the table.

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur clash on Thursday, with one or both sides guaranteed to drop points, while Leicester City were also held to a draw by Everton.

This means that Manchester City hold a one-point advantage heading into matchday 21 which, coupled with their game in hand, has firmly reinstalled them as favourites for the league title.