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 ...
9. Oliver Arblaster 4
Again utilised in that more advanced position and there was no shortage of effort but it wasn't an afternoon he'll remember as he struggled to replicate the influence he had last weekend in a more hectic game this time around. Booked in the second half for tugging back former teammate Soumare before being replaced by Cannon | ugc
10. Ben Brereton Diaz 4.5
Booed from his first touch by his hometown crowd, for reasons no-one around us was entirely sure of, and he didn't have his most effective game but good perseverance did see him win the free-kick from which United took the lead through Phillips. He could have shut up the jeers by getting on the scoresheet had Cannon played him in on the overlap rather than shooting himself, before he made way as part of a triple change at 1-1 | ugc
11. Patrick Bamford 4
Had a huge chance inside the first 15 minutes when Norrington-Davies' cross picked him out in the middle but he elected to chest it down rather than stoop and head it and the opportunity went begging. It seemed like he couldn't really get into the game for a while but he improved a little later on, even if you got the feeling once again that United needed a bit more from one of their key men | ugc