Manchester United captain Fernandes followed up an excellent pinpoint 25-yard drive by hooking back the cross five minutes from time, that allowed Hojlund to score his first goal since February.

As in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Coventry, it was a favourable outcome in the end for under-pressure manager Erik ten Hag.

But there are some staggering statistics to go with their recent results. In total, 27 goals have now been scored in their past five games. They have conceded and scored at least two in all of them.

In entertainment terms, it is sensational. However, there is zero sense of structure and it can only be wondered what new technical director Jason Wilcox made of it as he watched his first game in the Old Trafford directors’ box since his appointment was confirmed last week.

After railing against the media the day before the game, labelling coverage of the Coventry match “embarrassing” and “a disgrace”, Ten Hag’s team failed to follow up by convincing on the pitch.

Without a win since February and with only three in the league all season, Sheffield United led twice, through Jayden Bogle in the first half and Ben Brereton Diaz in the second.

The home side levelled each time, courtesy of Harry Maguire’s deft header and Fernandes’ penalty.

And Manchester United eventually claimed the points to move back into sixth spot.

Fernandes the saviour after Onana error

Ten Hag has faced problems of injury and form among his squad in recent weeks. Goalkeeper Andre Onana, during the turbulence, had been a reliable figure.

The Cameroon goalkeeper seemed to have put his poor early-season form behind him. His recent performances deserved credit, given that he has been standing behind one of the Premier League’s leakiest-ever defences in terms of shots allowed to the opposition. A defence that cannot push high has not allowed him to exhibit his full passing range, but he has generally done well.

Against Sheffield United, though, Onana had a moment to forget. In passing the ball towards Diogo Dalot from inside his own six-yard area, the goalkeeper allowed Jayden Bogle to charge on to it. The 23-year-old’s forceful burst took him to within shooting range, and he expertly drove his effort into the far corner.

On the touchline, Ten Hag looked like a lonely figure.

The Sheffield United fans had some fun at the Dutchman’s expense, as they reminded him they rarely win away from home. To be completely accurate, they have rarely won anywhere this season. The last of their previous three triumphs came at Luton in February.

It is this kind of damage Manchester United cannot stop inflicting on themselves, and it makes winning matches so much harder than necessary.

Even after Maguire had turned home Alejandro Garnacho’s cross to bring them level before the break, they still fell asleep in their own penalty area to gift Sheffield United the lead for a second time.

Fernandes, with two goals and an assist, stepped in to save them. His second, a brilliant 25-yard drive, was the highlight – but the industry that created Hojlund’s goal was worthy of praise as well.

The overall display is not a recipe for sustained success, although after the past few weeks, Ten Hag is probably just grateful to get the win.

The post Man Utd fight back twice to beat Sheffield Utd late on appeared first on New Mail Nigeria.

Substitute Frank Onyeka sealed the win in stoppage time as the Bees moved up to 14th, seven points clear of the bottom three.

Meanwhile, Sheffield United remain bottom and take another step towards an immediate return to the Championship.

Chris Wilder’s side is 10 points from safety with six games to play.

The visitors started brightly with Ben Brereton Diaz breaking free down the left but he scuffed the shot with just Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken to beat.

Brentford soon took charge but despite dominating possession, they struggled to create many chances, with Neal Maupay stabbing wide their best opportunity of the first half after United defender Anel Ahmedhodzic gave the ball away inside his own half.

It was a similar story after the break, with Mathias Jorgensen seeing a goal ruled out for offside minutes before Brentford’s fortuitous opener.

Damsgaard thought he had doubled the lead soon after but the VAR intervened to rule out his crisp volley from Bryan Mbeumo’s free-kick for a foul on Oli McBurnie in the build-up.

The Blades pushed for an equaliser but Cameron Archer’s wayward shot from a tight angle was as close as they came before Onyeka latched on to the fit-again Kevin Schade’s flick-on to fire in the clincher for Brentford.

Brentford close in on top-flight survival

Brentford’s third season in the Premier League has surely been their toughest but with five games to go, they can begin to plan for a fourth year in the top flight with a bit more confidence.

The celebrations that followed a first home win since January 20 certainly suggested as much, with Frank and his players soaking up the applause of a satisfied home crowd at the Gtech.

“This has definitely been the most challenging season,” Frank told BBC Match of the Day. “Injuries, actually performing quite well, Ivan’s been banned… all of that.

“It’s been tough, but it just reminds you why it is the best league in the world. It’s so difficult.”

This was not a game to elicit much excitement from the neutrals, but it wasn’t for them. With both sides battling to stay up, the result was all that mattered – and Brentford got it.

That it came after a match that could only generously be said to have provided sporadic glimpses of quality will not bother anyone of a Brentford persuasion.

“It was not a final, but this is so important. Today was not through the roof, but I think it was a good performance,” Frank added.

As was the case for the entirety of the first half of the season, it was achieved without Ivan Toney, as the England striker started on the bench again – and remained there – as he continues to manage a muscle injury.

While he has struggled for goals in recent games, Toney’s ability to occupy defenders, hold up the ball, and bring others into play would have been useful for Brentford as they tried to break Sheffield United down in the first hour.

But they got there eventually, and one more win, possibly alongside another draw, should make absolutely sure of the Bees’ safety.

Blades fight hard but relegation looms

Despite some encouraging signs for Wilder’s team in recent weeks, it is now eight games without a win and just one win in 16 league matches.

“This was a tight, cagey affair. We just didn’t find that quality when we needed to,” Wilder told Match of the Day.

“I’m a little bit disappointed from a quality point of view. We didn’t show enough quality and enough big moments that settle these type of games.”

Relegation has felt like a matter of when rather than if and, should results go against them, confirmation could come as soon as next Wednesday (24 April) at Manchester United.

As in recent draws with Bournemouth, Fulham and Chelsea – and even defeat at Liverpool – the Blades did not lack for grit and determination, though defensively this was a much better showing as they restricted Brentford for long spells.

Although, ultimately, it was not enough, the fact the team is competing again – having failed to do so at times earlier in the campaign – is something for Wilder to cling to.

It may not be much and, barring a minor miracle, it will not be enough to keep them up, but the Blades do appear to have turned a corner.

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The goal was harsh on Sheffield United, who were much improved from Monday’s chastening defeat at home to Arsenal and had led 2-0 until the 74th minute at Vitality Stadium.

Gustavo Hamer opened the scoring in the first half after Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto had parried Jayden Bogle’s low shot into his path, his goal coming 13 minutes after Dominic Solanke had saved an early penalty for the Cherries.

Solanke won the spot-kick after being caught late by Tom Davies but slipped in the run-up, the ball sailing high over the crossbar after hitting the striker’s standing foot.

The visitors were gifted a second goal midway through the second period when Neto punched a corner into the back of Solanke and the ball fell into the path of Jack Robinson, whose close-range shot struck the inside of the post on its way over the line.

Solanke had a goal disallowed by the video assistant referee after handling the ball on the edge of the six-yard area, and Dango Ouattara’s emphatic header gave the Cherries hope before Unal completed the fightback.

The point lifts Sheffield United above fellow strugglers Burnley in the relegation zone but they remain 10 points adrift of 17th-placed Nottingham Forest.

“There are mixed emotions,” Blades boss Chris Wilder told BBC Match of the Day. “The players were putting bodies everywhere.

“We all had to stand up. This has been one of the hardest weeks we’ve had in football after what happened on Monday night.

“We’re off the bottom. We’ll enjoy that, but  I’m not jumping through hoops, and no medals are being handed out for being off the bottom. We have to show consistency.”

Eventful afternoon for Bournemouth and Solanke

Solanke has enjoyed an outstanding campaign in front of goal this season, but it had looked like a day to forget for the striker and his team until Unal’s last-gasp equaliser.

The former Chelsea and Liverpool frontman came into the game looking to match Joshua King’s Bournemouth record of 16 Premier League goals in a single campaign, but after earning his side an early penalty, the striker lost his footing at the crucial moment.

Solanke thought he had pulled a goal back for the Cherries after the visitors had failed to clear Ouattara’s hopeful shot from the edge of the box, but the video assistant referee ruled that the striker had handled the ball in the build-up and disallowed his close-range finish.

Bournemouth fans, who had seen Antoine Semenyo, Ryan Christie and Milos Kerkez go close in the first half, could have been forgiven for abandoning all hope at that stage – but Andoni Iraola’s team had other ideas.

Half-time substitute Ouattara rose highest to head home at the near post and set up a frantic finale, before Unal opened his account for the club at the end of a period of sustained Cherries pressure.

Luis Sinisterra went close to snatching all three points for Bournemouth – who registered 32 shots over the course of the 90 minutes, but his left-footed effort trickled wide of the far post.

Positives for Blades despite late leveller

Wilder had said before the game that there was “still some life left” in his beleaguered side despite their perilous position at the bottom of the Premier League – and the Blades certainly delivered a spirited performance on the south coast.

Unsurprisingly, perhaps, given the manner of Monday’s 6-0 humiliation at home by Arsenal, the visitors looked short of confidence in the early stages as Bournemouth started on the front foot.

However, Solanke’s penalty miss appeared to breathe new life into Wilder’s men, who were rewarded for their efforts when Hamer beat Neto for his third Premier League goal.

Sheffield United had conceded 18 goals in their previous five top-flight matches but defended resolutely in the first half, with goalkeeper Ivo Grbic pulling off smart saves from Semenyo and Kerkez.

They appeared on course for three valuable points after Robinson capitalised on Neto’s lapse in concentration to double their advantage, but it was one-way traffic after Ouattara halved the deficit with just over a quarter of an hour of normal time remaining.

The visitors’ defence was breached a second time by Unal, but Wilder will be heartened by his team’s display as he prepares to meet club owner Prince Abdullah in Riyadh next week.

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The Blades’ packed defence meant City had to wait to add a second, but Foden was the provider again when it arrived midway through the second half, with his low cross dispatched by Julian Alvarez.

City, who were crowned Fifa Club World Cup winners before Christmas, displayed all five of the major trophies they have won in 2023 on the pitch before kick-off.

It was a reminder to their rivals that they remain the team to beat this season, and so was the sight of Kevin de Bruyne in their squad after more than four months out with a hamstring injury.

The Belgium midfielder did not make it on to the pitch this time, but the sight of him warming up on the touchline in the second half brought huge cheers from the home fans.

In contrast, the Sheffield United fans had little to get excited about, as their side offered little in attack other than a flurry of chances just before the break.

Defeat felt inevitable as soon as City scored their second goal, and Chris Wilder’s side remain bottom of the table and without an away win this season.

City had dropped points by conceding late equalisers in each of their past three home league games, but there was never any danger of a repeat of that here.

As well as the victory, which means they have secured back-to-back league wins for the first time since the start of November, they also had a first clean sheet in eight games to celebrate.

It had already been a productive festive period for Pep Guardiola’s side, who saw all the teams above them drop points, and they appear to have put any talk of a pre-Christmas crisis well behind them.

“We are not top, but I could not expect that with the results we had,” Guardiola said afterwards.

“Apart from two or three games, we played really well without the results that maybe we deserved—but in football, what you deserve doesn’t count; it is a business, and you have to win games—and here we did it.

“I am really pleased for the guys after two days of rest [after beating Everton on Wednesday].

“It was an intense month for all the Premier League teams, I would say, but the travel to Saudi Arabia was an incredibly positive impact on all of us, for the trophy first and to be together, after the disappointment of drawing with Crystal Palace after an incredibly good performance.”

City can look back with pride at their achievements in 2023, but they also have lots to look forward to in 2024.

De Bruyne’s seemingly imminent return to action is a major boost and they will hope to welcome Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku back from injury in January, as they push on in search of more silverware – starting in the FA Cup, where they host Huddersfield next weekend.

“In terms of titles and prizes, the past year was really good,” Guardiola added. “To see the five trophies on the pitch was really nice.

“We are so satisfied and proud but at the same time, now they are in the trophy cabinet and it is Huddersfield next.”

Blades show spirit but lack quality

While Sheffield United showed plenty of spirit here, they were clearly short of sufficient quality to seriously trouble their hosts.

The Blades end the year bottom of the table and they must make history if they are to stay up from here, as no Premier League team has managed that after earning so few points after 20 games.

It is difficult to assess exactly where Wilder needs reinforcements going on this display, given the gulf between these two sides.

But the fact that, so far, they have so far scored the fewest goals in the top flight, as well as conceding the most, suggests improvements are needed all over the pitch when the January transfer window opens, if they are to have any hope of survival.

“There’s no downside from this game, with the experience it’s given some of our younger players,” Wilder said afterwards.

“For me it wasn’t just regarding this game, because we always knew it would be incredibly tough to go and get a result at City. It is the overall six games [since he took charge] that I have reflected on when I spoke to the players afterwards – what they have given me, and what they have shown.

“I said after the first game against Liverpool, don’t kid me, is this a one off? And it wasn’t, in terms of their attitude.

“And now what we have is hopefully some additions coming into the group [in January] and precious time to work on the training ground, where we can work on all aspects of our play.

“But I think if you asked any Sheffield United supporter what they’ve taken from the past six games, it’s that the team has got fight in them, and it’s the same from my point of view.”

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A 14th Premier League defeat leaves Wilder’s side stuck at the bottom of the table, seven points from safety, before a trip to Manchester City on Saturday.

“We really should be talking about a home win. We really should be talking about us getting a third win [in the league], not throwing it away,” added Wilder.

“There has been a lot of positivity lately but this is a backwards step that hurts.”

Asked if his players were feeling sorry for themselves, Wilder said: “I don’t give a monkey’s how they feel. They are professional footballers.

“Everyone has to be accountable. These boys have got to have that attitude of being strong mentally.”

A howler by Wes Foderingham gifted Luton the lead when Alfie Doughty’s 17th-minute attempt slipped through the keeper’s legs into the net.

The Blades thought they had turned it around after the interval, Oli McBurnie equalising after Sam Allison – the first black referee to take charge of an English top-flight match for 15 years – played a smart advantage when James McAtee appeared to have been fouled.

With fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest winning earlier at Newcastle, the Blades needed all three points and captain Anel Ahmedhodzic fired them in front from close range after Luton failed to clear.

But two own goals – first a flicked header by Jack Robinson and then by substitute Anis Ben Slimane – allowed Luton to seal back-to-back Premier League wins after their 1-0 victory over Newcastle last Saturday.

Blades throw it away

Sheffield United will wonder how they let this lead slip after producing a stirring fightback in the second half.

After a recent improvement in results since Wilder returned earlier this month, this was a worrying step in the wrong direction.

After conceded an equaliser deep into stoppage time in the previous game at Aston Villa, they again failed to hang onto the lead against Luton.

They have reached the halfway stage of the season with just nine points on the board.

Wilder now has the job of lifting his players after a highly damaging defeat.

“We handed them the game,” added the Blades boss. “We can only look at ourselves. We have to get back on the bike pretty quickly. You can’t just turn a game over like that.”

Hatters show incredible spirit

Luton’s players celebrated in front of their own fans after a significant win that strengthens their hopes of climbing out of trouble.

The Hatters remain in the bottom three but are just one point from safety, with out-of-sorts Chelsea the visitors to Kenilworth Road on Saturday (12:30 GMT) as they hunt a third successive league win.

After the trauma of captain Tom Lockyer having cardiac arrest on the pitch at Bournemouth, Luton have shown incredible spirit to secure six points from their past two games which could be crucial to securing their Premier League future.

“I don’t know,” said boss Rob Edwards when asked if what happened to Lockyer had brought his squad even closer together.

“I get we have won two games in a row but we have been playing well for some time now.

“That said we do want to embody what Tom is. He has been such a success in football because of his bravery.”

Luton looked down and out after falling 2-1 behind but somehow emerged with a win from a remarkable encounter.

Carlton Morris came off the bench and orchestrated the turnaround, with first Robinson and then Ben Slimane putting through their own net to leave the Blades bereft.

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The Blues, beaten by Manchester United and Everton in their past two games, broke the deadlock nine minutes into the second half when Cole Palmer slotted home after fine work by Raheem Sterling.

It was 2-0 seven minutes later, Nicolas Jackson converting Palmer’s pass after Blades goalkeeper Wes Foderingham palmed the ball into the former Manchester City youngster’s path.

Chelsea enjoyed almost 80% possession across the 90 minutes, but Conor Gallagher’s long-range effort was their only shot on target in a forgettable first half for Mauricio Pochettino’s team.

Cameron Archer curled wide for the visitors in the first half and full Chelsea debutant Djordje Petrovic pulled off a fine save from Gustavo Hamer’s low free-kick, but that was the closest the visitors came to a breakthrough.

Second-half substitute Armando Broja should have increased Chelsea’s lead late in the second half but somehow skewed Palmer’s low delivery off target from point-blank range.

The Blues move up to tenth place on 22 points, while Sheffield United remain five points from safety at the foot of the table.

Blues make dominance count

Chelsea have endured a bitterly disappointing 2023 but Pochettino will hope Saturday’s hard-fought victory is the start of a more encouraging end to the year, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final with Newcastle and league games against Wolves, Crystal Palace and Luton to come.

Despite enjoying swathes of possession they struggled to penetrate a dogged Sheffield United rearguard in the first half, Gallagher shooting tamely into Foderingham’s arms before Jackson curled narrowly wide from the edge of the box.

Their first-half efforts were perhaps best summed up by Mykhailo Mudryk, who blazed wildly off target midway through the first period after nutmegging Max Lowe and cutting in from the left.

There was an outpouring of relief around Stamford Bridge when Palmer converted Sterling’s cross for his eighth goal of the season. Palmer’s opener and Jackson’s close-range effort were both checked for offside by the video assistant referee (VAR) but no infringement was spotted.

Broja will be wondering how he failed to score his second Premier League goal of the season late in the game but, thankfully for Pochettino’s side, the Albanian’s miss did not prove costly.

Chelsea have had a dreadful time with injuries of late but there was positive news before kick-off as Christopher Nkunku was named in the matchday squad for the first time since signing from RB Leipzig in June.

The France forward has not featured for the Blues since suffering a knee injury in a pre-season friendly with Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in August.

Blades fall short despite encouraging display

Chris Wilder’s team claimed only their second Premier League win of the season against Brentford last weekend but were unable to build on that 1-0 victory despite another spirited display in west London.

Operating with a back four, United restricted their hosts to half chances in the opening 45 minutes and went close themselves when Archer shot wide in a rare foray.

They made a bright start to the second half too, but their resistance was broken by Palmer not long after half-time, and Jackson’s effort minutes later left the visitors with a mountain to climb.

United have now failed to score in seven of their 17 league games this term – more than any other side in the division – but Wilder will take heart from his team’s efforts against a Chelsea side who scored four against Tottenham and Manchester City last month.

It does not get any easier for the Blades over the festive period, with games against in-form Aston Villa and champions Manchester City either side of a crucial home clash with fellow strugglers Luton on 26 December.

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Striker Rodriguez’s stooping header from Charlie Taylor’s pinpoint cross was the fastest in the top flight this season and gave Burnley a blistering start and a lead which they did not relinquish.

On-loan winger Jacob Bruun Larsen doubled their lead with a cool finish after latching on to Dara O’Shea’s long ball over the top as Burnley took total control.

The Blades were visibly frustrated and saw Oli McBurnie sent off for two moments of madness – the striker was fortunate to receive only a yellow card for an elbow into the face of O’Shea, but he inexplicably repeated the act in a separate challenge and was dismissed before half-time.

Burnley were dominant in the second period as Zeki Amdouni confidently drilled in a low finish, Luca Koleosho smashed in at the near post after hitting the woodwork and Josh Brownhill struck a fifth.

Burnley sit 19th, two points adrift of safety, while Sheffield United are bottom of the table.

Five-star showing from Clarets

Burnley boss Kompany has billed this game as “massive” for both teams in the build-up and it was his side who kept cool heads with a fabulous victory as they look to kick-start a faltering campaign.

The Clarets had not collected a Premier League point since winning 2-1 at Luton on 3 October, and this highly impressive showing two months on was also against a side who came up with them from the Championship.

Rodriguez’s early goal put them on the front foot and having dropped 14 points from winning positions this season – the most by any top-flight team – they managed to push on and take apart their opponents in a calm and assured manner.

The veteran striker could have had another in the 10th minute but could not find the target with his strike – Larsen, though, did roll home a calm finish to put his side in command.

Burnley popped the ball around confidently thereafter and there were no signs of the individual mistakes that have blighted them so much this term, as they took their chances in the second half for a valuable triumph.

Blades in big bother

The manner in which Sheffield United fell away after going a man down was alarming and leaves manager Heckingbottom clinging on to his job.

Skipper Oli Norwood’s powerful drive from long range pushed away by James Trafford and Cameron Archer blazed over from 12 yards before losing their heads with a show of petulance.

John Fleck received a yellow for a late tackle from behind on O’Shea and McBurnie senselessly struck the Republic of Ireland international twice before the break. In all, the away side received seven yellow cards and a red.

McBurnie’s sending off robbed his side of a potential fightback in the second half and with so much on the line, it has to go down as one of the most absurd red cards received considering the situation.

The Blades – who next face a daunting home match against Liverpool on Wednesday – have a huge task on their hands for survival, winning only one of their 14 games so far and conceding a league-high 39 goals.

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Sean Longstaff put the visitors in front on 21 minutes as he swept in from Anthony Gordon’s cutback with the Blades’ appeals for a handball and claims the ball went out of play in the build-up dismissed.

Paul Heckingbottom’s hosts had started brightly but found themselves three down before half-time after a further two goals in four minutes for Newcastle.

Both came from Kieran Trippier set-pieces with Dan Burn stooping to nod in a corner at the back post before Sven Botman scored his first Newcastle goal with a well-directed header from a wide free-kick.

Callum Wilson missed a number of presentable opportunities before the break but got his goal 10 minutes into the second half, heading in from close range following another pinpoint cross from Trippier.

With Newcastle seemingly able to carve through the Blades at will, it was the irrepressible Gordon who added the fifth.

The former Everton winger cut in from the left and effortlessly curled the ball into the far corner past Wes Foderingham in the Sheffield United goal.

Miguel Almiron slotted in number six and Bruno Guimaraes made it seven with 17 minutes still remaining against an increasingly despondent home side.

That was plenty of time for substitute Alexander Isak to pounce on another defensive error, turn his man and calmly finish to make it 8-0, the same score by which Newcastle beat Sheffield Wednesday in 1999.

The result is also Sheffield United’s record league defeat.

Gordon shines in sparkling Newcastle display

Unlikely as it seems given the scoreline, Newcastle started relatively slowly and it was the home side that looked the more threatening in the opening exchanges.

That all changed the moment the first goal went in and Gordon was key to it, twisting smartly on the byeline before finding Longstaff to finish.

Gordon was only on the pitch because of an injury to Harvey Barnes but the winger’s introduction helped change the game.

While the match became something of a procession in the second half, it was the pace and trickery of Gordon down the left that helped Newcastle get into such a position.

“They can’t handle Gordon. He is causing them all sorts of problems,” former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison told BBC Radio 5 Live at half-time.

“They can’t deal with him.”

Gordon got his goal as Sheffield United capitulated after the break and Newcastle continued relentlessly on.

After an underwhelming start to their league campaign – losing three of their first five games – this was a statement win that will keep spirits high at St James’ Park and add to the belief that they can make their mark domestically, as well as in Europe, this season.

No positives for Blades after record loss

“I can’t stand here and say anything positive,” Sheffield United captain John Egan said after the match.

This was the Blades’ largest defeat in their league history in their 4,988th game.

That speaks for itself but the worrying truth for them is that it could have been worse.

Having been unable to make the most of a couple of early chances – Luke Thomas saw one shot blocked and sliced another wide when in space at the far post – they crumbled after going behind.

Three goals in 14 first-half minutes left Sheffield United looking dazed and the concern is that the half-time break only seemed to make things worse.

Newcastle players were able to find space all over the pitch and the home side were outclassed. That may not be a surprise against a Champions League side but the fact they were completely outfought as well is more of a worry.

Despite four defeats in their first five games, this is the first time Heckingbottom’s side have lost by more than a goal and they have to hope this proves to be an aberration.

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Ramsdale, 25, has played in all 36 league games during Arsenal’s challenge for the title this season.

“The way Aaron’s developed has been exceptional,” added Arteta.

Ramsdale, whose previous contract was due to expire in 2025, joined Arsenal from Sheffield United in August 2021 in a deal worth £24m plus a further £6m in add-ons.

He has kept 13 top-flight clean sheets this season and has been capped by England three times.

Arsenal are second in the Premier League table, four points behind Manchester City who will win the title if the Gunners lose at Nottingham Forest on Saturday (17:30 BST).

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Norway international Odegaard, 22, joined the Gunners on loan in January and has made the move permanent for about £30m.

The deal for Ramsdale, 23, is worth £24m plus a further £6m in add-ons.

He is available for the visit of Chelsea on Sunday, but Odegaard misses out as he waits for his visa clearance.

The former Bournemouth man, who made 38 Premier League appearances for the Blades last season before being included in England’s squad for Euro 2020, will join Bernd Leno and Runar Alex Runarsson as Arsenal’s goalkeepers.

His signing was announced by the Gunners after Friday’s earlier confirmation of Odegaard joining the club.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said: “Aaron is a talented young keeper with huge experience and has international experience for England. He will bring competition and that’s what we want to create – healthy competition, quality competition in every position. We identified Aaron as the ideal option.”

Ramsdale and Odegaard, who has signed a four-year deal with the option of an extra year, join Ben White, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares as Arsenal’s signings this summer.

Asked what Odegaard would add to his squad, Arteta added: “A lot of things that he brought last season – he made us better, we needed more options and alternatives for creativity.

“He is still a really young man but he has huge experiences in clubs already and has unique talents for the way we want to play, so I am really pleased the club have made the effort.”

The Norwegian joined Real Madrid from Stromsgodset in 2015 but only made eight league appearances for the Spanish side. He also spent time on loan at Heerenveen, Vitesse and Real Sociedad.

Arteta had made it clear at the end of last season that he wanted Odegaard to return to the Emirates on a permanent basis, and has since spoken about wanting to add more new signings to his squad before the transfer window closes on 31 August.

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