Sheffield United U21 player ratings gallery v Sheffield Wednesday as Fleck, Coulibaly and Clark get valuable minutes

Football writer

Published 20th Feb 2023, 15:59 BST

Updated 20th Feb 2023, 16:00 BST

John Fleck, Ciaran Clark and Ismaila Coulibaly got valuable minutes in the tank for Sheffield United’s U21s this afternoon as they beat their city rivals Wednesday 1-0.

The decisive goal came from Louie Marsh’s header after the Owls had been reduced to 10 men in the first half. Fleck and Clark played 75 minutes while Ismaila Coulibaly and Adam Davies, in the Blades goal, played 90 minutes.

Here’s how we rated the Blades’ players...

John Fleck played 75 minutes for Sheffield United's U23s on his comeback from injury

. Derby victory for Blades

John Fleck played 75 minutes for Sheffield United's U23s on his comeback from injury Photo: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

Had a quiet start but did well to keep out Bakinson's header and then had to be alert moments later to meet Fleck's under-hit backpass. Coped well with another awkward one later in the game from Starbuck and didn't have a great deal to do other than that

. Adam Davies 7

Had a quiet start but did well to keep out Bakinson's header and then had to be alert moments later to meet Fleck's under-hit backpass. Coped well with another awkward one later in the game from Starbuck and didn't have a great deal to do other than that Photo: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

Had a quiet first half on the ball as United preferred to attack down the left through the lively Buyabu. Got more into the game second half but his crosses didn't find their target before he was replaced just after the hour mark by Starbuck

. Sai Sachdev 6

Had a quiet first half on the ball as United preferred to attack down the left through the lively Buyabu. Got more into the game second half but his crosses didn't find their target before he was replaced just after the hour mark by Starbuck Photo: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

Had a sight of goal early on when he met a cross with a solid header but it was blocked well by an Owls defender. Had a nervy moment in the second half when he looked to have lost the ball to Durrant but he recovered well when a more likely outcome looked like a Wednesday opener or a foul and a red card

. Levis Pitan 6

Had a sight of goal early on when he met a cross with a solid header but it was blocked well by an Owls defender. Had a nervy moment in the second half when he looked to have lost the ball to Durrant but he recovered well when a more likely outcome looked like a Wednesday opener or a foul and a red card Photo: Simon Bellis

Drove forward with the ball on the right of defence and didn't lose many headers with his size, either - although he was guilty of being a little overzealous and being dragged out of position late in the game, turned by Trueman

. Connor Barratt 6

Drove forward with the ball on the right of defence and didn't lose many headers with his size, either - although he was guilty of being a little overzealous and being dragged out of position late in the game, turned by Trueman Photo: Andrew Yates

John Fleck played 75 minutes for Sheffield United's U23s on his comeback from injury

1. Derby victory for Blades

John Fleck played 75 minutes for Sheffield United's U23s on his comeback from injury Photo: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

Had a quiet start but did well to keep out Bakinson's header and then had to be alert moments later to meet Fleck's under-hit backpass. Coped well with another awkward one later in the game from Starbuck and didn't have a great deal to do other than that

2. Adam Davies 7

Had a quiet start but did well to keep out Bakinson's header and then had to be alert moments later to meet Fleck's under-hit backpass. Coped well with another awkward one later in the game from Starbuck and didn't have a great deal to do other than that Photo: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

Had a quiet first half on the ball as United preferred to attack down the left through the lively Buyabu. Got more into the game second half but his crosses didn't find their target before he was replaced just after the hour mark by Starbuck

3. Sai Sachdev 6

Had a quiet first half on the ball as United preferred to attack down the left through the lively Buyabu. Got more into the game second half but his crosses didn't find their target before he was replaced just after the hour mark by Starbuck Photo: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

Had a sight of goal early on when he met a cross with a solid header but it was blocked well by an Owls defender. Had a nervy moment in the second half when he looked to have lost the ball to Durrant but he recovered well when a more likely outcome looked like a Wednesday opener or a foul and a red card

4. Levis Pitan 6

Had a sight of goal early on when he met a cross with a solid header but it was blocked well by an Owls defender. Had a nervy moment in the second half when he looked to have lost the ball to Durrant but he recovered well when a more likely outcome looked like a Wednesday opener or a foul and a red card Photo: Simon Bellis

Sheffield Wednesday John Fleck

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