Sheffield United loan watch: Young Blades midfielder nets in win over Belgian giants Anderlecht and Luke Freeman on the bench again for Nottingham Forest

Sheffield United’s Premier League woes continued on Sunday when they were beaten by West Ham United at Bramall Lane.
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The Blades are rooted at the foot of the table with just a single point to their name after yesterday’s defeat – an eighth loss in their opening nine top flight games this season.

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 in action for Nottingham Forest during their 2-0 defeat at Barnsley on Saturday. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)Luke Freeman in action for Nottingham Forest during their 2-0 defeat at Barnsley on Saturday. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
Luke Freeman in action for Nottingham Forest during their 2-0 defeat at Barnsley on Saturday. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Luke Freeman

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The 28-year-old attacker is currently on a season-long loan with Championship side Nottingham Forest.

Freeman, who joined United for a then club record £5m from Queens Park Rangers in the summer of 2019, has found game time hard to come by in recent weeks following an encouraging start to life at the City Ground.

On Saturday he came on as a second half substitute in Chris Hughton’s side’s 2-0 defeat at Barnsley.

In giving Freeman a rating of six out of 10 following his 72nd minute introduction at Oakwell, Nottinghamshire Live's Forest correspondent, Sarah Clapson, wrote: “Tried to get involved straight away, just couldn’t force the breakthrough.”

Rhys Norrington-Davies

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Twenty-one-year-old Norrington-Davies is on loan at Championship side Luton Town for the 2020/21 campaign.

The Wales under-21 international returned for the Hatters in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers at Kenilworth Road after recovering from a hamstring injury which prevented him from starting the game at Huddersfield Town earlier this month when he was an unused substitute.

Against Rovers, Norrington-Davies appeared to have recaptured his early season form, which saw up him called up to Ryan Giggs’ Wales squad for the first time, and almost found his name on the scoresheet when a 20-yard drive went agonisingly wide in the early stages of the game.

Jake Eastwood

The 24-year-old goalkeeper joined Scottish Premiership outfit Kilmarnock in July on a six-month loan but suffered a thigh injury on his debut against Hibernian in early August and returned to Bramall Lane to receive treatment.

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He is now back to full fitness and was on the bench for Killie’s 1-0 defeat at St Johnstone earlier this month but was not in the matchday squad for the game with Ross County on Saturday.

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’ 3-1 win at Yeovil on Saturday.

Dominic Scurr, of the Hartlepool United, wrote of Parkhouse’s performance. “A booking was his only contribution during a late cameo.”

Tyler Smith

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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 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.

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Dewhurst hit the headlines earlier this month when he pulled off two saves in Carlisle’s penalty shootout win over Southern League Premier Division South outfit Hayes & Yeading in the FA Cup first round on his debut, but didn’t feature in the matchday squad at Crawley on Saturday.

Ismaila Coulibaly

Mali under-20 midfielder Coulibaly joined United from Norwegian outfit Sarpsborg 08 earlier this season 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, is enjoying life in the Belgian Pro League and scored the opening goal in his side’s 2-1 win over Anderlecht yesterday. Beerschot are currently second in the standings.

Stephen Mallon

The Blades’ under-23 winger joined Derry City on loan until the end of the current League of Ireland Premier Division campaign, which drew to a conclusion earlier this month, but could feature for the Candy Stripes in the FAI Cup quarter-final tie at Sligo Rovers on Wednesday.

Sam Graham

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The 20-year-old central defender is on loan at National League outfit Notts County – his second temporary stint with the Magpies – until January and was an unused substitute in the dramatic 3-2 win at Chesterfield on Saturday.

Regan Slater

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

Slater came on as a 82nd minute substitute in the Tigers’ 3-1 win at MK Dons on Saturday, a victory which sent Grant McCann’s side to the top of Sky Bet League One.

Barry Cooper, the club’s correspondent for Hull Live, wrote of Slater’s cameo appearance: “Will have enjoyed getting some minutes in the league, albeit only a few. 7/10.”

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