Sheffield United loan watch: Luke Freeman scores 'wonder goal' for Nottingham Forest, Rhys Norrington-Davies stars in Luton Town win and Regan Slater makes Hull City debut

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 – like his parent club - have also made a woeful start to their league campaign having lost their opening four games.

However, Freeman, who joined United for a then club record £5m from Queens Park Rangers in the summer of 2019, has impressed for the Reds so far and scored a ‘wonder goal’ from long range in the 2-1 defeat against leaders Bristol City at the City Ground on Saturday.

Like David McGoldrick’s effort for United yesterday, his strike was Forest’s first this season.

Writing after the game, Nottinghamshire Live’s Sarah Clapson – who gave him a rating of 6.5 out of 10 – said of Freeman: “Forest had to wait a long time for their first goal of the season - what a way to get it. An absolute screamer. Just a shame it didn’t count for more. Rating: 6.5/10.”

Rhys Norrington-Davies

Twenty-one-year-old Norrington-Davies has joined Championship outfit Luton Town for the 2020/21 campaign – and has already produced some impressive displays for the Hatters which has led to a call-up to the Wales squad for the first time in his fledgling career.

The Wales under-21 international left-back starred in Nathan Jones’ side 2-0 victory over winless Wycombe Wanderers at Kenilworth Road on Saturday. The win has moved Luton up to fifth place in the embryonic Championship table.

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 is currently receiving treatment back at United. He’s still thought to be a minimum of three weeks away from a return to action.

David Parkhouse

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

Parkhouse, 20, who has yet to make a first-team appearance for United, started for Pools in their 2-1 over Aldershot Town in their National League opener at Victoria Park on Saturday.

He made way for Mason Enigbokan-Bloomfield in the 81st minute and, in giving him a match rating of six out of 10, Dominic Scurr, of the Hartlepool Mail, wrote of Parkhouse’s performance: “Showed some good touches on occasion but didn’t see enough of the ball in areas where he could threaten.”

Tyler Smith

Striker Smith joined League One outfit Swindon Town on a season-long loan in August.

The 21-year-old, who has not made a senior appearance for the Blades, scored on his debut for the Robins in their 3-1 win over Rochdale on the opening day of the season but hasn’t netted since and was named among the substitutes for the second successive game at Peterborough United on Saturday.

He replaced Jordan Stevens in the 74th minute, but was unable to help his side as they slipped to a 3-1 reverse.

Jonathan Leighfield, of the Swindon Advertiser, gave Smith a score of six out 10 and wrote: “Showed good energy and put himself about once he came on, but was never presented with a goalscoring chance, unfortunately.”

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.

Dewhurst was once again an unused substitute in Carlisle’s 1-0 defeat of Barrow in the first Cumbrian derby in the Football League for 56 years at Brunton Park on Saturday.

Ismaila Coulibaly

Mali under-20 midfielder Coulibaly joined United from Norwegian outfit Sarpsborg 08 last month and was immediately sent out on loan to high-flying Belgian side Beerschot.

And in making his first start for the Antwerp-based club at Gent yesterday, the 19-year-old netted an injury-time consolation goal in a surprise 5-1 defeat in the Pro League clash.

Stephen Mallon

The Blades’ under-23 winger is currently on loan with League of Ireland Premier Division side Derry City and he returned from injury on Friday night to help the Candy Stripes secure a much-needed 2-0 win over Waterford to ease their relegation concerns. Mallon will remain with the Candy Stripes until the end of the current campaign, which finishes later this month.

Regan Slater

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

He has a plenty of admirers at the Lane and wherever his career takes him, will always be remembered for his thumping challenge that sent Ipswich's Bersant Celina flying a few years ago.

Slater made his debut for the Tigers as a 75th minute substitute in the 1-0 win over Plymouth Argyle at the KCOM Stadium on Saturday.

Barry Cooper, City correspondent for Hull Live, gave Slater six out of 10 and wrote: “Will have enjoyed his first taste of League One football. Made a crucial block in stoppage time to block a cross inside the box.”

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