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...
21. Oli McBurnie 7
Given the captain’s armband in the second half, McBurnie was instrumental in Ndiaye’s goal with a clever stepover and then unselfishly squared for Osborn for United’s second after racing clear. Went close to a goal himself with a towering header that was well saved down to his left by Tyrer | Sportimage
22. Iliman Ndiaye 7
Given a rousing reception when he emerged from the Blades dug-out to warm up just before half-time, with Unitedites fearing that any upcoming game could be his last in Blades colours amid talk of a Marseille move. So it had to be him that put the Blades ahead, rounding the ‘keeper before slotting home, after wowing the crowd with some quick feet to beat a couple of men in midfield Photo: George Wood