Sheffield United loan watch: Debutant Blades 'keeper is shoot-out hero in FA Cup win and Luke Freeman sits out another Nottingham Forest game

The Blades have now lost seven of their opening eight league games and are bottom of the table with just a single point to their name following defeat to Frank Lampard’s high-flying Blues.

But how did the players currently not part of Chris Wilder’s first team squad get on for their loan clubs at the weekend. Did they fare any better?

Let’s take a look.

Luke Freeman

The 28-year-old attacker is currently on a season-long loan with Championship side Nottingham Forest, who – under new manager Chris Hughton – are showing signs of turning around their season after a poor start to the campaign which saw them lose their opening four league games.

Freeman, who joined United for a then club record £5m from Queens Park Rangers in the summer of 2019, made an encouraging start to his stint at the City Ground but his form has dipped of late and was an unused substitute as Forest beat Wycombe Wanderers 2-0 on Saturday to move further away from the relegation zone.

Rhys Norrington-Davies

Twenty-one-year-old Norrington-Davies has impressed for Championship outfit Luton Town after joining the Hatters on loan for the 2020/21 campaign.

His performances for the Kenilworth Road club have earned the left-back a call-up to the Wales national squad, leading to him making his senior debut for Ryan Giggs’ side against Bulgaria last month.

The Wales under-21 international was expected to face a spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury in the 3-0 home defeat to Brentford on October 31, but was in the matchday squad for Saturday’s game at Huddersfield – although he remained on the bench as Nathan Jones’ side came away from the John Smith’s Stadium with a 1-1 draw.

Jake Eastwood

The 24-year-old goalkeeper joined Scottish Premiership outfit Kilmarnock in July but suffered a thigh injury on his debut against Hibernian in early August and returned to Bramall Lane to receive treatment. He is now back to full fitness and was on the bench for Killie’s 1-0 defeat at St Johnstone on Friday evening.

David Parkhouse

The Northern Ireland under-21 international forward signed for National League side Hartlepool United on loan until January in September.

Parkhouse, who has yet to make a first-team appearance for United, was a second half substitute in Pools’ 2-0 extra-time defeat at League Two side Salford City in the FA Cup first round on Saturday.

In giving him a match rating of five out of 10, Dominic Scurr, of the Hartlepool Mail, wrote of Parkhouse’s performance: “Hit a good chance over shortly after coming on.”

Tyler Smith

Twenty-one-year-old striker Smith joined League One outfit Swindon Town on a season-long loan in August.

The forward, who has not made a senior appearance for the Blades, has scored five goals in eight games so far this season but is currently sidelined for around three weeks with a groin injury he suffered during the pre-match warm-up before the Hull City game on October 31.

Marcus Dewhurst

Young goalkeeper Dewhurst re-joined League Two Carlisle United on a temporary basis until January 2021 at the end of August.

The 19-year-old had previously joined the Cumbrians on-loan on deadline day last January, but failed to make a competitive appearance before Covid-19 brought about the suspension of league football in England.

However, Dewhurst finally got his chance on Saturday as he starred in the Blues’ dramatic win over Southern League Premier Division South outfit Hayes & Yeading in the FA Cup first round – pulling off two saves in a shootout as United won 4-3 on penalties after the game had finished 2-2 at the end of extra-time.

Ismaila Coulibaly

Mali under-20 midfielder Coulibaly joined United from Norwegian outfit Sarpsborg 08 last month and was immediately sent out on loan for the next three seasons to high-flying Belgian side Beerschot, the Blades’ sister club.

Coulibaly, who has been named in United’s list of U21 players for the 2020/21 season, has scored two goals in the Belgian Pro League and played in his side’s amazing 5-5 draw at Kortrijk on Saturday.

Stephen Mallon

The Blades’ under-23 winger is currently on loan with League of Ireland Premier Division side Derry City until the end of the current campaign, which will end tonight when the Candy Stripes take on Cork City as they look to guarantee their top-flight status.

Mallon missed Saturday’s 2-0 defeat against Shamrock Rovers and is expected to miss this evening’s vital game with already relegated Cork as boss Declan Devine looks to field a similar line-up.

Regan Slater

United allowed the 21-year-old midfielder to join League One side Hull City earlier this month on a season-long loan.

Slater has made five appearances and scored one goal in all competitions since his move to the KCOM Stadium and came on as a 75th minute substitute in the Tigers’ 2-0 home win over Fleetwood Town in the FA Cup first round on Saturday.

Barry Cooper, the club’s correspondent for Hull Live, wrote of Slater’s cameo appearance: “Surprised he didn’t start, in truth, expect him to at Harrogate on Tuesday night. Another 15 minutes to show what he can do with the game already won. 6/10.”

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