They have turned their season around after a remarkable run of form under new boss Paul Heckingbottom. Unbeaten since October at Bramall Lane, they moved back into the top six at the weekend with a 2-0 victory over neighbours Barnsley.
The biggest threat to their promotion ambitions this season is surely their mounting injury list, which has seen the entire right side of their defence decimated and a number of strikers ruled out for varying lengths of time.
United looked at free agent Andre Wisdom but decided against signing him, although Heckingbottom admits United are “serious” about bringing a free agent in.
So we scoured the free agent market to pick out 12 players who could possibly do a job for United – click through our photo gallery to have a look ...
9. Advan Kadusic
A senior Bosnia and Herzegovina international, Kadusic reportedly left NK Celje in Janary and so may be more up to speed than some of the other options… Photo: ELVIS BARUKCIC
10. Eric Lichaj
Formerly of these shores with Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Leeds and Hull, the American last played for Fatih Karagümrük in Turkey’s top flight and has 16 caps for his country. Plays at right-back and can operate on the left Photo: Shaun Botterill
11. Francis Guerrero
Still only 26, the Spaniard can play right back or right wing – an ideal skillset, you could suggest, to play wing-back in United’s system. Last seen at Real Betis and a Spain U21 international who shackled Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. in victory at Real Madrid in 2017. But hasn’t played for 18 months so would have to have kept himself in superb nick! Photo: AFP Contributor
12. Conor McLaughlin
A full Northern Ireland international, McLaughlin is still only 30 and left Fleetwood in January. Played for Sunderland before that Photo: Stu Forster