Paul Heckingbottom’s red and white wizards defeated Cardiff City on Saturday thanks to a goal from George Baldock, extending United’s away form to three consecutive wins.
Cardiff City threatened United’s goal in the first half, but the introduction of James McAtee at halftime turned the game on its head and the Blades enter the world cup break accumulating 10pts from a possible 15.
My Player Ratings
Wes Foderingham 6:
Foderingham had a few scares in the first half when former Blade Callum Robinson almost diverted a header into the far corner, and he wasn’t far away with a cute dinked effort towards the top left corner.
Chris Basham 5:
Basham was thanking his teammates in the first half when his terrible back pass played through Harris. Luckily United got bodies back between the goal and the ball just as Harris rounded Foderingham. Defended well in the second half.
John Egan 7:
Egan defended the box well as the likes of O’Dowda attempted several crosses throughout the game but the Irishman was equal to most of them. He won 90% of his aerial and ground duels in Saturday’s victory.
Jack Robinson 5:
Unfortunately for Robinson as he suffered an injury early in the game which left Heckingbottom no choice in taking him off inside the first 20 minutes.
George Baldock 8:
In the first half, Baldock was very positive down the right as he always looked to run in behind the defence off the ball, and more often than not Norwood’s ping found him. In the second half, he won it for the Blades when he strode onto the ball inside the right-hand side of the box, and he drilled it past the keeper.
Enda Stevens 7:
Defensively, Stevens was much improved, the Irishman made SEVEN successful tackles. On the ball, he was good too, which is usually the case with Stevens when playing in tight areas.
Oli Norwood 8:
Norwood was fantastic against Cardiff City. His array of passes opened up the opposition time and time again to United’s wingbacks. He registered 1 big chance created, and 3 key passes in the 1-0 victory.
Oli Arblaster 6:
The youngster was handed his full Championship debut, but he was subbed at halftime. For me, he looked good in the first half. He never shies away from the ball, and he got on the ball constantly in the halfspaces down the right, and he looked for combinations inside the pockets of space.
Ben Osborn 6:
One of Osborn’s better performances of late. His work rate will always be there from minute 1, it’s just about slowing things down from time to time to increase the quality of his output – he almost got an assist when he played in McAtee.
Iliman Ndiaye 7:
Up against big strong centre-backs today, but that didn’t phase him. He always looked to be the bright spark in the creation phase and as the game went on he got more involved. Ndiaye’s dribbling ability was on full display as he successfully completed 3 of 4 dribbles. Wishing him all the best for the world cup.
Billy Sharp 6:
His hold-up play was much better than it has been all season. Played a good cross-in towards Ndiaye in the first half which the defence dealt with well at the last moment. Could’ve got his goal today but his strike lacked conviction.
Subs:
Clark 6 (Robinson, 14)
McAtee 7 (Arblaster, HT)
Khadra N/A (Ndiaye, 89)