They were looking for a quick response after Wednesday night’s cup exit at Fleetwood Town while Stoke had won three of their last four, and drawn the other one, with conflicting moods around the clubs before kick-off.
But there was nothing to separate them in a scratchy first half low on any real quality, with neither side testing the opposition ‘keeper with any real seriousness.
United went ahead with the first real bit of quality in the game, as Phillips spotted an opening at the near post as he stood over a free-kick and then found it to perfection, to catch out one of the league’s best goalkeepers in Viktor Johansson.
That, and a mini-melee which saw Liam Kitching and Stoke’s Eric Bocat booked, seemed to spark the game into life somewhat and Stoke dragged themselves level when Jack McGlynn scored from long range.
And there was still time for more drama as Sam Gallagher came off the bench to score a similarly impressive effort in the other top corner of Michael Cooper’s goal, leaving United with nothing to show for their efforts going into the international break.
Here’s how we rated the Blades ...
1. Michael Cooper 5
A spectator for much of the game until he was called into action to push Bocat's good effort behind, but he could do little about either of Stoke's goals as McGlynn smashed home from long range to drag them level with just over 10 minutes to go before Gallagher found the other top corner for the winner | ugc
2. Hamza Choudhury 5
Back in the side from the start, with Doherty one of many to have not stuck their hand up for a start in midweek, and once again did a decent job for the Blades despite, at times, looking like a midfielder filling in at right-back. That's no criticism - that's the job he is having to fulfil - but it does sacrifice some attacking thrust from that side and that showed at times here. He was solid defensively though for the most part before making way for Shackleton just after Stoke's equaliser | ugc
3. Jamal Baptiste 5
Got the nod to start over McGuinness and had a few nervy moments, including a bit of indecision with a bouncing ball and then a moment where Cisse skipped past him, but he settled after that and it'll be interesting to see whether that's his shirt to lose now or his more experienced teammate comes back in after the break | UGC
4. Japhet Tanganga 4
Shifted over to the middle in McGuinness' absence and some brilliant defending prevented a tap-in equaliser for the home side after Bocat peeled off Choudhury at the back post and headed back across goal. But then he didn't do anywhere near enough to prevent Gallagher plucking the ball out of the air, from a long ball that took an age to reach him, before smashing into the top corner and winning the game for the home side | ugc