Chris Wilder takes his Blades side across the Pennines for a Manchester double-header. They face Manchester United at Old Trafford tonight before facing their City rivals at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. For a club struggling for results, it’s two fixtures which Sheffield United could do without right now.
If goals are what you are looking for then you might have come to the right place. Since re-joining the Premier League in 2019, the Blades and the Red Devils have met each other on three occasions, which has resulted in a total of fourteen goals, scarily, Ole’s side has scored three goals in each of those games.
Sheffield United come into this fixture against Manchester United at Old Trafford having won three out of their previous four matches in all competitions. Considering their seasons’ performances and results thus far it is a huge improvement, even if two of those victories came against League One opposition in the FA Cup. The Blades had recorded back to back victories over Bristol Rovers (3-2), in the FA Cup, and at home to Newcastle United (1-0), before losing 1-3 at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
Last weekend they took a break from Premier League action, with the FA Cup being in full swing. With supporters not being able to attend matches the competition has perhaps lost its magic a little but that didn’t deter the Blades doing the business and securing a place in round five, where they will host Bristol City, after beating Plymouth Argyle 2-1. United had put themselves into a comfortable position after guiding themselves into a two-goal lead but gave themselves a nervy finish when they allowed the Pilgrims to pull one back.
United was denied a controversial penalty following an alleged handball in the box from Ethan Ampadu’s shot, which struck the raising hands of Kelland Watts. It looked a stone-walled penalty but after a VAR review, referee Lee Mason ruled out any appeals. The hosts did take the lead on 39 minutes when excellent play down the left saw Billy Sharp clip the ball onto the far post and his looping cross was headed home by Chris Basham.
The second half saw the Blades double their lead two minutes after the re-start when a ball through to Billy Sharp from Oli Norwood saw the skipper charge through the box, round keeper Michael Cooper and slot home in front of an empty Kop. Argyle pulled one back fifteen minutes from time after John Lundstram lost possession in front of his box, and allowed Byron Moore’s run to pull back to Panutche Camara who finished.
Blades boss Chris Wilder has a concerning list of injuries ahead of tomorrow’s fixture. They are without defenders Jack Robinson (unknown), and Jack O’Connell (knee), through injury. The latter has undergone surgery and is likely to start training again soon with no date for a return set as of yet, with the defender, unfortunately, hitting a set-back that has hindered his recovery.
The Blades are also without midfielder Sander Berge, who is sidelined with a thigh injury he sustained in the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United on 17 December and is expected to be sidelined for up to three months. Meanwhile, both Ben Osborn and Oli McBurnie are sidelined with knocks.
Match Officials
Referee: Peter Bankes.
Assistants: Neil Davies, Nick Hopton.
Fourth official: Martin Atkinson.
VAR: David Coote. Assistant VAR: Marc Perry.
Past Premier League Results… vs. Manchester United
1992/93 – Bramall Lane (W 2-1), Old Trafford (L 1-2)
1993/94 – Bramall Lane (L 0-3), Old Trafford (L 0-3)
2006/07 – Bramall Lane (L 1-2), Old Trafford (L 0-2)
2019/20 – Bramall Lane (D 3-3), Old Trafford (L 0-3)
2020/21 – Bramall Lane (L 2-3)
Last Time
Sheffield United 2-3 Manchester United – 17.12.2020 – Premier League
Forthcoming Blades Fixtures;
*All fixtures are subject to change
30 Jan – Manchester City (a) – 15:00
02 Feb – West Bromwich Albion (h) – 19:45
06 Feb – Chelsea (h) – 15:00
13 Feb – West Ham United (a) – 15:00
20 Feb – Fulham (a) – 15:00
27 Feb – Liverpool (h) – 15:00
06 Mar – Southampton (h) – 15:00
13 Mar – Leicester City (a) – 15:00
20 Mar– Aston Villa (h) – 15:00
03 Apr – Leeds United (a) – 15:00
10 Apr – Arsenal (h) – 15:00
17 Apr – Wolverhampton Wanderers (a) – 15:00
24 Apr – Brighton & Hove Albion (h) – 15:00
01 May – Tottenham Hotspur (a) – 15:00
08 May – Crystal Palace (h) – 15:00
11 May – Everton (a) – 19:45
15 May – Newcastle United (a) – 15:00
23 May – Burnley (h) – 16:00