Erik Ten Hag praises Man United 'resilience' after comeback win over Sheffield United

Hosts twice recover from a goal down to defeat relegation-threatened opponents 4-2 at Old Trafford

Rasmus Hojlund celebrates scoring Manchester United's fourth goal during the 4-1 Premier League win over Sheffield United at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, on April 24, 2024. AFP

Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder #08 Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring the team's third goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Sheffield United at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on April 24, 2024. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Sheffield United players after the defeat at Old Trafford leaves them on the brink of relegation. Reuters

Rasmus Hojlund scored Manchester United's fourth goal to secure the victory. AP

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro and Sheffield United's Ben Brereton Diaz battle for the ball. Reuters

Bruno Fernandes hits a long-range shot to score Manchester United's third goal. AP

Ben Brereton Diaz celebrates with teammates after scoring to restore Sheffield United's lead at 2-1. EPA

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana made a costly mistake to allow Sheffield United to take a 2-1 lead. PA

Harry Maguire scores a header to equalise for Manchester United.

Harry Maguire celebrates scoring Manchester United's first goal. Getty Images

Jayden Bogle opened the scoring for Sheffield United in the 35th minute. AP

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag praised his players for showing "the resilience to fight back" after twice falling behind to the Premier League's bottom side Sheffield United on Wednesday night.

United secured a 4-2 victory at Old Trafford to move up to sixth in the standings but it was nowhere near as convincing as the scoreline might suggest.

Jayden Bogle put the Blades ahead and although Harry Maguire levelled for United before half-time, Ben Brereton Diaz restored the visitors' advantage soon after the interval.

United captain Bruno Fernandes bailed out his team with a penalty equaliser before the Portugal midfielder's long-range rocket put United in front with nine minutes left.

Rasmus Hojlund got United's fourth to ensure they could finally enjoy a first league win in five games since beating Everton on March 9.

"It was a good game for the crowd. Many positives today - the resilience to fight back after, two times, we were losing," Ten Hag said. "But also negatives. Conceding two goals from giveaways. It's unacceptable.

"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 temporary reprieve for Ten Hag, who hopes to salvage United's dismal season by winning the FA Cup and finishing high enough to qualify for the Europa League.

"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.

Sheffield United are 10 points from safety with only four games left as they sink towards relegation just one year after promotion from the Championship.

Ten Hag endured stinging criticism after United stumbled into the FA Cup final with a spluttering win against second-tier Coventry on Sunday.

United blew a three-goal lead in the last 19 minutes of normal time at Wembley and then barely survived a penalty shoot-out to book a final date with Manchester City.

Criticised for the sloppy performance, Ten Hag launched a strong defence of his credentials on Tuesday, telling journalists their negative coverage of the semi-final was a "disgrace" as the former Ajax boss insisted he has been successful for the last 10 years.

But United's new technical director Jason Wilcox has reportedly been asked by co-owner Jim Ratcliffe to conduct an audit of Ten Hag's training methods and sometimes fractious relationships with his players.

Watching from the directors' box, Wilcox barely had time to settle into his seat before United's Diogo Dalot had a fierce strike tipped over by keeper Wes Foderingham.

United were then rocked in the 35th minute as Andre Onana gifted the visitors their opener. Attempting to throw the ball to Dalot, the United keeper didn't notice Bogle lurking in the way and the Blades midfielder intercepted before firing into the empty net.

Ten Hag stood ashen-faced on the touchline after the 75th goal conceded by United in all competitions this season – the club's most in a single campaign since 1977-78.

United were behind for just seven minutes as Maguire stooped to head home from Alejandro Garnacho's free-kick after a contentious foul on Kobbie Mainoo.

But the flaws in United's creaky defence were exposed again in the 50th minute as they conceded two in a game for the fifth successive match. Ben Osborn cut the ball back to Brereton Diaz and he punished sloppy marking to slot a cool finish past Onana.

Fernandes hauled United back on level terms with a 61st-minute penalty after Maguire was dragged down. To Ten Hag's relief, Fernandes struck in the 81st minute, driving through midfield before unleashing a brilliant strike past Foderingham from 30 yards.

Four minutes later, Hojlund ended a run of eight games without a goal as he tapped in Fernandes' cross to give Ten Hag some breathing space.