It was a share of the spoils this Sunday afternoon as the Blades were pegged back twice to draw 2-2 with Middlesbrough at the Riverside stadium.
Heckingbottom made two changes from the XI that beat Millwall at Bramall Lane last weekend, with skipper Sharp and Lowe starting in the league for the first time this season.
Norwegian midfielder Sander Berge put United in front early as he turned on the ball and took a couple of touches before firing hard and low into the far corner of Steffan’s goal. The move highlighted the positive start to the game from United.
On 14 minutes, the hosts equalised with their first real attack. Some good work from Boro saw McNair release Jones and from his low cross Akpom was unmarked and slotted into an empty net, after Max Lowe was caught ball watching down the left-hand side.
The Blades had a goal disallowed for offside from Norwood’s free kick into the area, and shortly after United were denied a stone wall penalty after Jones brought Norrington-Davies down deep in the left side of the box.
United’s impressive second half showing was rewarded in the 68th minute as Norwood’s clever flick freed Ndiaye from Lowe’s throw-in and under no pressure, GILES smashed into his own goal, United take the lead once again.
However United couldn’t hold onto the lead as a short corner was crossed in by Giles and after Lenihan won the first header, Akpom was unmarked to head past Foderingham from six yards out giving him a brace in the game.
Middlesbrough may feel they should’ve won it late on when Watmore hit the post from Giles low cross towards the near post, however both sides in the end shared a point.
Boro: Steffan, Jones, Giles, Fry (Bola 45), McGree, Dijksteel (Watmore 76), Howson, McNair, Forss (Mowatt 61), Lenihan, Akpom (Hoppe 90).
Unused: Roberts, Smith, Watmore, Hackney.
Blades: Foderingham, Baldock, Fleck, Berge, Sharp (Brewster 45), Egan, Lowe, Ahmedhodzic, Norwood, Ndiaye (McBurnie 81), Norrington-Davies.
Unused: Amissah, Khadra, Doyle, McAtee, Gordon.