With Tommy Doyle and James McAtee ineligible to face their parent club in the final-four clash, United have been denied the services of two of their most influential players in recent weeks – to add to the already unenviable task of facing Pep Guardiola’s Premier League superstars.
With that in mind, we tasked our Blades writers James Shield and Danny Hall to pick the side they would send out to face City in a bid to reach the club’s first FA Cup final since 1936. Here's what they came up with ...
21. Oliver Norwood
Despite the teeth gnashing surrounding Tommy Doyle’s absence, the midfielder is a contender for player of the year across the course of the entire campaign. United need to be efficient when they see the ball. And Norwood is. Plus he has bags of nous. Photo: Andrew Yates
22. Chris Basham
If Ben Osborn had been available for selection, I’d have chosen him to be the ‘legs’ alongside Norwood to stop the former Northern Ireland international being penned in. But Heckingbottom says he isn’t so the centre-half’s engine sees him get the nod ahead of John Fleck. Photo: Michael Regan
23. Sander Berge
The Norwegian clearly feels he should already be playing at the highest level. So this is the perfect opportunity for him to show why. Can show flashes of brilliance but needs to impose himself on games more, which hopefully he’ll do here. Photo: David Davies
24. Iliman Ndiaye
Make no mistake, the Senegal international can hurt City. United will need some moments of magic to win this tie and the 23-year-old is more than capable of conjuring those. A shoe-in, barring injury or illness. Photo: Catherine Ivill