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...
13. Sai Sachdev 5
Came in down the right in the absence of Baldock and Bogle, who weren’t risked through injury, and did little wrong. Got forward when he could and will hope for more minutes during pre-season. Had a great late chance to get on the scoresheet after unselfish work from Berge but his shot flashed across the face of goal rather than hitting the back of it Photo: Simon Bellis
14. Anel Ahmedhodzic 5
At the start of what many at United think will be a big season for the defender, this was a quiet start as Town struggled to penetrate in the second half and United’s outside centre-backs didn’t really get forward all too often either Photo: Andrew Yates
15. Miguel Freckleton 5
Anchored the United defence in the second half but United were well on top for the most part and the defensive requirements were negated a little. Valuable first-team minutes for a good prospect though. One poor clearance almost led to a sight of goal but the young man will have been relieved to see the effort balloon over the United bar | Sportimage
16. Jack Robinson 5
Comfortable on the ball, solid defensively and his only disappointment will probably be that the chance for one of his crunching tackles so early in the season didn’t present itself. Had to be alert to get across and acrobatically clear the danger after a cross from the Town left looked to cause some problems Photo: Julian Finney