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Chris Wilder is likely to make changes for the Carabao Cup trip to Fleetwood Town tomorrow evening, as he balances his desire to progress in the competition with the need to manage some of his players’ workloads.
The Blades boss has already shut down the idea that he will field a bunch of young players at Highbury but it’s also a good chance for some of his main actors to get a rare midweek rest amid a schedule Wilder has described as “ridiculous.”
“I want us to be consistent in our approach, and we're going to have to be if we're going to get a result,” Wilder said. “This is a tie that we need to get right, physically and mentally.
“And if we do, we give ourselves, obviously, with the quality that we've got, an opportunity of getting through. I want us to get through. I want us to go and pull a big name out on Wednesday night, whether it's home and away.
“At this stage of the competition, it is loaded with Premier League teams and I want to reward our supporters with one of those ties, at home or away. But as always, to get there, we've got to deal with Fleetwood on Wednesday night, and I don't want an upset. I don't want that to be happening to our football club.”
United could come up against three former Blades on the coast, the most notable being ex-striker Ched Evans. But what will the Blades side be? We tasked our man to come up with his predicted XI - has he got it just about right or would you do anything differently?
5. Jamal Baptiste
A chance for the young defender to gain valuable senior minutes and show Wilder what he can offer outside of the regular matchday group. It's easy to imagine Kitching being rested and United aren't blessed with centre-half options | Sportimage
6. Rhys Norrington-Davies
Ordinarily I'd play him at left centre-half but with McCallum a big doubt and Burrows still on the comeback trail I can see Norrington-Davies returning at left-back as part of a strong but rotated United XI | Sportimage
7. Joe Rothwell
Likely to be one of the more experienced players in the XI. His passing range and ability to control the tempo could be important against a League Two opponent, and he'll be keen to show why he deserves a start in the league
8. Jairo Riedewald
Another player who could benefit from a start, with the cup providing an ideal opportunity to build match fitness and show his quality in possession. Gives Peck and Co. a rest too | Sportimage