It wasn’t a pretty game against bottom of the league Huddersfield Town, but the Blades recorded their twelfth victory of the season.
United had four wins in five before the World Cup break with a shock defeat against South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United, at Bramall Lane.
The Blades were eager to make sure they wouldn’t make the same mistakes in this derby game that they did against Rotherham United. That was clear from the start, as they stamped their mark on proceedings early on.
Heckingbottom’s side enjoyed more than 70% possession in the first half and numerous attempts on goal, but had only two on target, both from Sharp, who saw an early effort kept out by Nicholls.
Boss Paul Heckingbottom chose to start Ndiaye just days after his return from the World Cup with Senegal, after England knocked them out in the round of 16 game. The Senegalese forward burst through the Terriers midfield with 15 minutes on the clock, and he played a through-ball that sent Sharp clear to end his 20-game goal drought.
Huddersfield Town failed to test home keeper Wes Foderingham until 10 minutes into the second half, and even then it was a comfortable stop from Duane Holmes.
The visitors were much improved after the halftime interval, and they grew in confidence from that. Aston Villa loanee Kaine Kesler-Hayden fired a half-volley wide of the post, but United’s lead never seriously looked in danger. With Huddersfield lacking a creative spark, the Blades were content with staying nice and compact, and defending their box with aggression.
John Egan was at the centre of a handball appeal from the visiting side, but the appeal was rightly turned down, as Huddersfield failed to score for the sixth time in eight matches. United kept their tenth clean sheet of the season.
United now have an eight-day wait before they play their next game which is against desperately struggling Wigan Athletic.