It wasn’t as straightforward as it may have seemed when striker Daniel Jebbison put the Blades ahead early on, but United put pressure on the chasing pack with a Friday evening victory under the lights at Bramall Lane to lift spirits somewhat after the earlier news that the Blades had been placed under a transfer embargo.
Here’s how we rated the Blades’ players ...
9. Tommy Doyle 7
Picked up probably the most blatant yellow of his career after wiping out Connolly in front of the dugouts before forcing a smart save from Ingram as his curling effort looked to be sneaking inside the far post. Showed some other nice moments before making way for Osborn with 20 minutes left Photo: Andrew Yates
10. Sander Berge 6
Could and should have had an early assist after doing well to win the ball back and then flick it through to Jebbison, but his shot was straight at Ingram. Some nice moments, including a lovely shift of weight to beat his man and glide away, but still looks some way off the dominant player we saw before his injury Photo: Gary Oakley
11. Iliman Ndiaye 6
Shrugged off the injury he picked up against Stoke to start and was heavily involved early on, helping set up Jebbison's opener. But couldn't establish his usual control over the game and looked a little out of sorts at times, culminating in a chance late on from Norwood's excellent cross which just hit the forward's head as he didn't anticipate it. Made way for McBurnie with 10 minutes left Photo: Andrew Yates
12. Daniel Jebbison 8
Was handed the start in front of Sharp and the returning McBurnie and justified the selection with the opener, poking home with a top poacher's finish to put his side ahead early on. Should have had a second when one-on-one but fired straight at Ingram. Led the line well before making way for Sharp Photo: Andrew Yates