Sheffield United ended their pre-season campaign unbeaten as they drew 0-0 at Bochum this afternoon. Cheered on by a couple of thousand Blades who had made the trip to Germany, the Blades were second best in the first half but edged the second.
They were indebted to Michael Cooper for keeping them in the game in the first 45 minutes, the United goalkeeper making three smart saves to keep it goalless, but had some great chances after the break, with Gus Hamer flashing just wide and Callum O’Hare forcing a good save from Timo Horn.
Here’s how we rated United’s players on the day ahead of next week’s season opener at Mansfield Town...
5. Sam McCallum 6
He and Miyoshi were involved in a good running battle almost since the first whistle of the game and one instalment saw them grappling with each other on the floor before an incredulous McCallum was eventually cautioned when he got up. Miyoshi later picked up a caution for a hefty challenge on the left-back, who showed bundles of energy as usual and put in a few threatening crosses from the left. Replaced by Norrington-Davies | Sportimage
6. Jairo Riedewald 5
The Dutchman had an early let off when he surrendered possession in a poor area but Hofmann somehow shot wide to spare his blushes. You have to go some to get booked in a friendly but Riedewald found his way into the ref's notebook after upending Olsen, getting to the ball slightly late and getting a lot of the Bochum man. Made way for Rothwell | Sportimage
7. Sydie Peck 5
Neither he nor Riedewald had a great day of it out there, with Bochum able to break the lines relatively easy and pick their way through United in the first 30 minutes or so. Made way for Arblaster after around an hour | Sportimage
8. Romelle Donovan 5
No shortage of ambition or effort from the young loanee down the right, even if not everything that he tried came off. He always looked to be positive and had a penalty appeal turned down in the first half, although from this vantage point it would have been a cheap one. He later had United's best chance of the first 50 minutes when McCallum's deflected cross fell to him in the middle but he couldn't divert it on target and could only watch it trickle wide. Made way for Chong | Sportimage