All you need to know about Sheffield United versus Manchester United

In order to do so, Wilder’s players must do something none of their predecessors have managed since 1993 - beat the 20 time champions of England. The Star’s United writer James Shield identifies some of the key characters, and the statistical trends, which could help decide the outcome of this fixture at Bramall Lane.

The Teams: United - Ramsdale, Basham, Egan, Jagielka, Stevens, Baldock, Ampadu, Fleck, Berge, McGoldrick, Brewster. Manchester United - de Gea, Wan Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Fred, Greenwood, Fernandes, Pogba, Rashford.

The Referee: Michael Oliver will take charge of United for the second time this term, having overseen their meeting with Manchester City. He issued no cautions during that match but averages 3.11 in all competitions so far this season, compared to 3.49 last. Oliver has not refereed a match involving Manchester United for 12 months. Paul Tierney will perform VAR duties at Stockley Park. Tierney was the man in the middle when United faced Burnley in the EFL Cup and Leeds in the Premier League earlier this year.

The Goals: United will enter the match averaging a goal every 2.4 games this season, but have scored only once in their last four outings. They have conceded 1.75 goals per game, although that figure drops to 1.3 at Bramall Lane. Manchester United score an average of 1.73 goals a match this term. However, away from home that rises to 3.2. The visitors have conceded seven times on the road this season.

The Form Guide: United have not won in the league this season, losing 11 of their 12 games so far and drawing one - against Fulham - on home soil. Manchester United have won half of their league outings this term but travel to South Yorkshire having lost two and drawn one of their three most recent appearances. However, Basaksehir and RB Leipzig are the only teams to beat them away from home this season, with both of those defeats coming in the Champions League.

The History: United have not beaten Manchester United in their last nine outings, with their only draw during that run coming in the corresponding fixture last season. Their last win over Manchester United came 27 years ago. That saw them advance in the FA Cup, although earlier that season they also triumphed when the two clubs met in the Premier League.

The Last Time: An Anthony Martial hat-trick propelled Manchester United to a 3-0 win when United travelled to Old Trafford in June. Marcus Rashford assisted two of those goals and Aaron Wan Bissaka one. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side enjoyed more than two thirds of the possession during the match and produced six shots on target, compared to one for United.

The Details: Sheffield United versus Manchester United, kick-off 8pm. Pre, in-game and post-match coverage is available via The Star’s print and online platforms.

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