United started the brighter at Fratton Park against Portsmouth last Saturday, netting after just four minutes via Rob Hulse's head. However Portsmouth fought back in the second half and replied with three goals. Defenders, Rob Kozluk (own goal), Sol Campbell and Noe Paramot all netted for the Pompey win.
The Blades list two injuries on their list; striker Neil Shipperley (calf) and Chinese international Midfielder Li Tie (leg haematoma), both players are reserve team members and don't effect the starting eleven though we do wish that they return to action soon.
The Blades could field former City star David Sommeil - the Frenchman was snapped up from Bordeaux in January 2003 for a £3,500,000 fee. He made his debut in a 4-1 home win over Fulham and played his last in May 2006 in the 2-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers.
Sommeil was released by the Bluemoon club in July 2006 after making 54 appearances (+ 4 as sub) and scoring four goals, joining Sheffield United last summer on a free transfer.
Possible Blades Line-Up: Paddy Kenny, Robert Kozluk, Chris Morgan, Claude Davis, Derek Geary, Keith Gillespie, Phil Jagielka, Michael Tonge, Stephen Quinn, Rob Hulse, Danny Webber.
Manchester City were forced to suffer a humiliating defeat to Lancastrian rivals Bolton Wanderers at the City of Manchester Stadium. Trotters French striker Nicolas Anelka came back against his former club to fire two goals past City as the visitors won 2-0.
Stuart Pearce will be without Defender Sun Jihai, the Chinese international has been out for a while with a hamstring injury whilst Trevor Sinclair similarly is out with a troublesome knee. The City manager will also be without Danny Mills (shin) and Shaleum Logan (broken leg).
England international Defender Micah Richards (hip) went off injured on 17 December in their 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur and Ditmar Hamman (back) has also recently been out injured; but both may return to face the Blades at Bramall Lane.
With just three minutes to go in their game against the Trotters; highly rated Midfileder Joey Barton was sent off for violent conduct. He will now miss the game against the Blades as well as fixtures versus West Ham United and Everton. American Claudio Reyna may now take his place.
Possible City Line-Up: Nicky Weaver, Hatem Trabelsi, Sylvain Distin, Nedum Onuohu, Ben Thatcher, Richard Dunne, Claudio Reyna, Stephen Ireland, Paul Dickov, Ishmael Miller, Darius Vassell.
Man in the Middle: Mark Clattenberg (Tyne & Wear)
- 09.02.2002 - Blades 4-3 Portsmouth
- 17.09.2002 - Blades 2-1 Grimsby Town
- 15.02.2003 - Blades 2-0 Walsall (FAC)
- 10.05.2003 - Nottingham Forest 1-1 Blades (PO)
- 28.02.2004 - Reading 2-1 Blades
- 24.04.2004 - Walsall 0-1 Blades
- 26.10.2004 - Blades 0-0 Watford
- 13.02.2005 - Blades 1-1 West Ham United (FAC)
- 17.09.2005 - Watford 2-3 Blades
- 19.11.2005 - Blades 2-2 Millwall
- 18.11.2006 - Blades 1-2 Manchester United
Last Time: 2001-02 - Sheffield United 1-3 Manchester City
Blades-Mad would like to thank City-Mad publisher Ben Collins for helping us with the City injuries and suspensions.