In a game low on individual moments of quality, Iliman Ndiaye’s eighth goal of the season was the difference between the two sides as City finished the game with 10 men following George Tanner’s red card for a late shocker of a tackle on James McAtee.
United’s big talking point before the goal was the first-half substitution of Reda Khadra, who was handed a rare start in the absence of Tommy Doyle but lasted barely past the hour mark before being dragged for McAtee.
Here’s how we rated the Blades’ players as they registered back to back victories following the weekend win at West Bromwich Albion...
Here’s how we rated the Blades’ players as they registered back to back victories following the weekend win at West Bromwich Albion...
![Began the game as a 10 and made a rare poor decision not to release the ball earlier for Khadra as United looked to break quickly. But made up for that and more with his eighth goal of the season, a poacher's finish Billy Sharp would have been proud of from close range.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmU3YzRlM2JhLTk5ZTUtNGViOS1hMjg1LTE3OTQ0MTExZTNmMzpmODUxNDk5ZS1hZjdhLTRmZjYtOWQ3Yy0yNTM3YTZlNWU5ZjM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
9. Iliman Ndiaye 8
Began the game as a 10 and made a rare poor decision not to release the ball earlier for Khadra as United looked to break quickly. But made up for that and more with his eighth goal of the season, a poacher's finish Billy Sharp would have been proud of from close range. Photo: Adam Davy
![Handed a rare start with Tommy Doyle not risked after picking up a calf issue, but only lasted just over half an hour before being dragged and replaced by James McAtee. He didn't make the best start to the game but in mitigation, no-one else in a Blades shirt did either. Didn't look too happy and walked straight down the tunnel.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjJlZjc2NWVjLWY0YjAtNDg4Ni1iMmFlLWE0OWJjYjBjNTM1MjozODUwZjQ4ZS1kOTA3LTRmYjUtOTk2ZC04NmI5NjFjODE2ZTE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
10. Reda Khadra 4
Handed a rare start with Tommy Doyle not risked after picking up a calf issue, but only lasted just over half an hour before being dragged and replaced by James McAtee. He didn't make the best start to the game but in mitigation, no-one else in a Blades shirt did either. Didn't look too happy and walked straight down the tunnel. Photo: Ashley Crowden
![Recalled from the start with Oli McBurnie rested and worked tirelessly for the cause as ever, playing a key role in Ndiaye's opener. Whether he got a flick or the defender was impossible to see from our vantage point without replays, but he certainly played a part. Made way for McBurnie and had United's best chance of the first half but he was on the stretch when he headed at the goalkeeper](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjcwNzNkN2IwLTNkOWQtNGVkZS1iOTUyLTlmMDA0OWEyMDhjMjpiNDk4MGQ0Yy1hZDA4LTRkOTItYmNjNy0xMDQzYmUyNTllYjc=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
11. Billy Sharp 7
Recalled from the start with Oli McBurnie rested and worked tirelessly for the cause as ever, playing a key role in Ndiaye's opener. Whether he got a flick or the defender was impossible to see from our vantage point without replays, but he certainly played a part. Made way for McBurnie and had United's best chance of the first half but he was on the stretch when he headed at the goalkeeper Photo: Ashley Crowden
![Was a surprise early introduction off the bench after Khadra was dragged but justified his introduction with a good cross which led to Ndiaye's opener. Showed some other nice moments too with the ball and was absolutely wiped out by Tanner for a deserved red card in stoppage time. Was limping badly as he was helped from the pitch](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmE2ZDAxMjcxLTllZWItNGIyYS1hMzcxLTZjNzczOGVlMmNhYjplYjA0NjQ5NS0yMzJmLTQ4ZDUtYmY2MS0xYWZlMzdjYTIwZGE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
12. Subs: James McAtee 7
Was a surprise early introduction off the bench after Khadra was dragged but justified his introduction with a good cross which led to Ndiaye's opener. Showed some other nice moments too with the ball and was absolutely wiped out by Tanner for a deserved red card in stoppage time. Was limping badly as he was helped from the pitch Photo: Ashley Crowden