Manchester United’s academy came to their rescue as goals from three graduates completed a second-half comeback against Sheffield United to help secure a 3-3 draw at Bramall Lane.

Brandon Williams, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford stunned the Blades, who had been sitting pretty after goals from John Fleck and Lys Mousset either side of half time. But Oli McBurnie was on hand to snatch a last-gasp equaliser after a VAR check for handball.

After a really positive start, Sheffield United went close twice when John Lundstram’s well-timed volley was blocked by David De Gea, who then showed excellent reactions to push away David McGoldrick’s header a few seconds later.

They deservedly grabbed the lead after 19 minutes. Suspicions of a foul on Phil Jones by Mousset in the build-up were ignored by Andre Marriner and VAR said nothing. Fleck tapped home the rebound from Lundstram’s effort, which was originally saved by De Gea.

It took Manchester United almost half an hour to muster a shot on target, but Anthony Martial failed to test Simon Moore, standing in for Dean Henderson, due to his inability to play against his parent club.

Daniel James has arguably been their man of the season so far, so it was hardly surprising to see him at the forefront of anything the Red Devils did going forward. 

Not for the first time this season, there seemed a lack of purpose in their display. The home side were well drilled, energetic, first to every ball and fully deserving of their half time lead.

At the break, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Jones with Jesse Lingard, but moments after the restart, it was 2-0. Mousset latched onto Fleck’s through ball before taking it on and firing past De Gea. 

Perhaps the Spaniard could have done better, but the goal was a sucker-punch for Solskjaer’s men, who had started the half with a little more intent.

Past the hour, Martial saw an effort whistle wide from distance as Manchester United continued to search for a spark to get themselves back into the game.

With just under 20 minutes to go, it finally arrived. Williams, a young defender offered a chance by Solskjaer, drove the ball into the bottom corner from the left-hand side of the box. The atmosphere suddenly changed; the jubilant home fans were now a little less sure of themselves.

Parity was restored when substitute Greenwood pounced from yards out and the turnaround was seemingly completed, with three goals in seven minutes, when Rashford placed his effort past Moore. 

But the action didn’t stop there, as substitute McBurnie slammed home in the 90th minute to secure a share of the spoils, despite an anxious wait as VAR confirmed it stood.