The Blades had a handful of chances to win the game, with visiting captain Lloyd Kelly hitting his own crossbar with a clearance before Morgan Gibbs-White was denied one-on-one by goalkeeper Mark Travers.
Then came the game’s flashpoint late on, when Gibbs-White was wiped out in the box by Nat Phillips. But somehow referee Dean Whitestone didn’t blow his whistle, and the game ended goalless.
The best chance of the game came in injury time when Filip Uremovic, who had earlier produced a stunning last-ditch tackle to stop Philip Billing, had the freedom of Bramall Lane to pick his spot right in front of goal, but somehow fired wide instead.
Here’s how we rated United’s players during the game…
5. Ben Davies 6.5
Had a big chance to put United ahead early in the second half but he may have mistimed his jump to meet Gibbs-White's cross and headed over the bar. Photo: Simon Bellis
6. Enda Stevens 6
Saw yellow midway through the first half for a professional foul on Dembele, to stop the dangerous winger speeding away. Couple of dangerous crosses led to chances in the opening exchanges, but a couple of 'rusty' moments too Photo: Zac Goodwin
7. Ollie Norwood 6.5
His early corner caused havoc in the Bournemouth box and saw Kelly hit his own crossbar with a clearance. Put his foot in when needed to tidy up against a difficult opponent in Billing Photo: Isaac Parkin
8. John Fleck 6.5
Picked up a first-half yellow for fouling Smith, which may have limited his tenacity in the tackle. Caused some panic early in the second half when he smashed the ball across his own six-yard box but luckily it didn't end up in the back of United's net! Photo: Andrew Yates