United won’t be having a cup run this season after suffering a 1-0 away defeat to Steve Bruce’s West Brom. Karlan Grant’s second half header proved to be the decisive moment in the first round tie.
Heckingbottom made five changes for the clash, with Khadra, McAtee and Arblaster making their full senior debuts for the Blades. Doyle was named on the bench and came on in the 2nd half to kick the ball for the first time for United since making his loan move in early July.
United started the game positively and dominated the opening changes, Brewster struck the near post from McAtee’s through ball and then the ball ricocheted off the keepers back. A little later and Brewster then turned provider freeing McAtee on the left, but the City loanee fired wide from a decent position.
The first period ended with West Brom having a few good openings themselves, Cleary should have scored when racing clear only to be denied by the ever reliable Wes Foderingham.
In the second half Foderingham had even more work to do in the 67th minute. Foderingham kept the scores level with the save of the game, superbly denying Reach with a headed effort from Ashworth’s cross.
The hosts capitalised on a spell of pressure, with Karlan Grant heading home at the near post after more good work from former Blade Callum Robinson.
United created a bunch of chances but couldn’t find the finishing touch as they bow out in the cup.
West Brom: Palmer, O’Shea, Bartley (Townsend 69), Robinson (Fellows 84), Phillips, Reach, Ashworth, Mowatt, Cleary (Grant 69, Swift 84), Gardner-Hickman, Yokuslu (Molumby 61).
Unused: Ajayi, Wallace, Cann, Ingram.
Blades: Foderingham, Fleck (Osborn 45, Berge 74), Brewster, Khadra (Sharp 74), Egan, Lowe, Ahmedhodžić (Clark 69), Norwood, McAtee (Doyle 69), Arblaster, Gordon.
Unused: Amissah, Baldock, Norrington-Davies, Jebbison.