A distinct bouquet and a Bosnian seemingly destined to become a big noise at Sheffield United: What we learned from today's FA Cup win over Millwall

The Big Question: Can Sheffield United chase success on two fronts? Of course they can. Some modern footballers might regard the prospect of squeezing a handful more games into their schedules as akin to climbing the Eiger. But they get the best of everything, in terms of prehab, rehab and whatever else goes in between. Keith Edwards, watching this match from the commentary box in his new role as an expert radio analyst, could be forgiven for breaking out into hysterical laughter when he hears some of the gripes professionals make about the fixture calendar these days. Chris Wilder clearly thinks it’s possible to combine a run in the FA Cup with a strong finish to the Premier League season too. Naming the likes of Chris Basham, Jack O’Connell, Dean Henderson and Oliver Norwood in his starting eleven against Millwall was a statement of intent. United heeded the message from their manager, securing their place in Monday’s fifth round draw thanks to goals from Mo Besic and Oliver Norwood.

The Big Difference: Four days after facing the reigning Premier League champions Manchester City - a squad containing so many galacticos they could almost challenge Real Madrid’s patent on the word - United found themselves travelling to Millwall for a match in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Little wonder, when he faced the media before boarding the train the London on Friday, Wilder spoke about the importance of being able to adapt to different challenges. One of those was the pitch which, rutted, bumpy and bald in places, was a million miles away from the snooker-table like surfaces top-flight players are now used to strutting their stuff on. But there were similarities between this assignment and United’s date with Pep Guardiola’s team as well.

The most obvious was the importance of physicality. City had stood up well to the challenge laid down by United and Bramall Lane. Now it was United’s turn to do likewise, as a darting run and header from Murray Wallace, which prevented Chris Basham from bringing the ball down and making a pass, drew a huge roar from the home fans early on. That one moment set the tone for Millwall’s approach throughout the entire afternoon.

The Bosnian: Besic isn’t exactly known for his goals. Indeed, the Bosnia and Herzegovina international has only scored five since turning professional nine years ago. Why that should be the case is a mystery, when you consider the quality of the finish which handed United the lead here; a perfectly placed, long range shot to the far post, which left Bartosz Bialkowski grasping at thin air. The midfielder, on loan from Everton, has produced some fine displays since being granted his opportunity in recent weeks. Tough in the tackle and fiercely competitive - as Aymneric Laporte found out to his cost on Tuesday night - if Besic can improve this aspect of his game then United might be advised to try and negotiate a permanent deal with Everton. Because his value will soar otherwise.

The Basics: After spending the past six months performing on pitches so well-manicured they would turn Joan Collins green with envy, United’s players have probably forgotten what mud looks like. Bumps, divots and bald patches too. Predictably, given they appear on it every other week, Millwall had no problems executing their game plan on the surface. Indeed, it would be a surprise if aspects of the hosts’ strategy had not been designed with it in mind. Gary Rowett, Wilder’s counterpart in the capital, has plenty of technically adept professionals at his disposal. But there was nothing intricate about Millwall’s tactics, which revolved around winning second balls - something they did better than United to begin with - reaching the byline and then whipping crosses into Henderson’s penalty area. That isn’t a criticism. Quite the opposite. But the fact some people will probably interpret it as one speaks more about the snobbery surrounding modern football analysis than it does Rowett’s wise, no-frills approach.

The Bouquet: Visitors to The Den have a lot to contend with. Indeed, so fearsome is the reputation of some Millwall fans, that a special walkway leading away supporters into the stadium from South Bermondsey station has now been built. But it can be challenging for those in the home end too; specifically folk sat in the upper reaches of the Barry Kitchener Stand, where the smell of marijuana is at times so strong, you could be forgiven for thinking you’d been transported out of south London and into an Amsterdam coffee shop instead. Then again, maybe that’s why seats in that section always appear in such high demand.

The Big Difference: United weren’t under the cosh during the opening period. In fact, there was actually precious little to separate the two sides. Which, given there is now a division between them, reflected better on Millwall than it did Wilder’s men; despite the changes he made. But there was a definite shift in the balance of power when the second-half got underway. United looked sharper, more purposeful and much more spiteful. Which in the end made all the difference. That and two moments of supreme quality from Besic and Norwood. United had the artistry. But crucially, they also demonstrated the right attitude.