Sheffield United overcame some more pre-season profligacy to continue their unbeaten friendly run with a 2-0 win at Rotherham United this afternoon. The Blades created a number of chances in the first half and could have gone into the break at least three or four ahead.
But they took until just before the whistle to go ahead through Tahith Chong, who scored his second in as many games to stake a claim for involvement when the season begins for real.
Callum O’Hare added a second in the second half from long range after letting fly while at the other end, goalkeeper Michael Cooper had to make a couple of smart saves to keep out Jamie Jellis and Aaron Nemane.
Here’s how we rated United’s players in their latest pre-season test as the new season draws ever closer...
9. Callum O'Hare 6
Another who should have got on the scoresheet long before he did, in the second half with a screamer of a finish that gave Cann no chance as he let fly from about 25 yards. It was a much harder chance than the one he missed earlier in the game when Hamer sent him free and, with all the time in the world to pick his spot, he fired straight at Cann. Buzzed about but for me actually struggled to have much impact on the game before his goal. Made way on the hour mark as part of the five changes | Sportimage
10. Gus Hamer 7
Just a class act of a player. He could easily have walked off at half-time with four assists to his name as he created every major United chance of the first half, two for Cannon and one for O'Hare and then the eventual breakthrough from Chong. There's still doubt about his future, and probably will be until the moment he's either sold or the window slams shut, but as long as he's at Bramall Lane let's enjoy an excellent football player | Sportimage
11. Tom Cannon 5
Led the line again ahead of Bamford and would have loved to get on the scoresheet to keep him at the forefront of his manager's thoughts with the season edging ever closer. He had the chances, too, twice getting in behind and putting efforts wide of the far post whilst offering United the chance to find him in behind. Hamer did just that a couple of times but Cannon couldn't take advantage before being replaced by Bamford | Sportimage
12. Subs: Patrick Bamford 5
Had a couple of sights of goal after coming off the bench but he looked a bit rusty and his touch evaded him, although one effort did look good before it bounced off a defender's head and to safety | Sheffield United