Speculation over the Senegalese starboy’s future has only intensified in recent days amid reports of a move to Marseille, but United’s key man reported for duty at Chesterfield as Paul Heckingbottom’s men kicked off their pre-season campaign with victory over their local rivals.
United fielded two different XIs in either half ahead of their warm-weather training camp in Portugal - where they will experience much better weather than North Derbyshire, where rainstorms punctuated the action as 4,500 Blades fans made the short trip to watch their side.
Here’s how we rated every United player against Chesterfield...
9. Andre Brooks 5
Lined up on the right of United’s midfield from the start and did little wrong, but will have felt he could have done better with the follow-up from one of Osula’s chances which threatened the next-door Tesco car-park more than the back of Tyrer’s goal Photo: Alex Pantling/Getty Images
10. Louie Marsh 5
Started just off Osula in a partnership that was so fruitful for the Blades’ U23s last season and showed some nice touches, and also some signs of his inexperience as he was robbed of possession in dangerous areas by tough opponents. Always looked to get on the ball and mostly looked comfortable when he got it, though. A good prospect | Sportimage
11. Will Osula 4
Had an early chance to test the home ‘keeper or square for Brooks who was racing up in support, but he ended up doing neither and saw his effort blocked by the defender. Should have put United ahead when Fleck set him free but he hesitated when one-on-one and checked back onto his left, then his right, giving the defender time to recover and Tyrer tipped his shot behind, when it looked to be going wide anyway. Denied again by Tyrer later from Lowe’s excellent cross and looked surely set to get on the scoresheet at last when he seized on a poor pass to race clear, but he somehow hit the side-netting - much to his obvious frustration | Sportimage
12. Second half: Adam Davies 5
Aside from a few routine bits of handling it was a quiet 45 minutes for the Welsh international, until the dying seconds when he made a smart save down to his left with his body Photo: Andrew Yates