Although an under strengthen side was fielded by Neil Warnock the Blades still crashed out to Kenny Jackett's Swansea who won convincingly 3-0. Thomas Butler netted twice whilst Leon Britton scored from the spot.
Sheffield United should be back to a near full selection of players with striker Rob Hulse available again after a one match suspension whist captain Chris Morgan will start the first of his three match suspension following the Robbie van Persie incident against Arsenal.
The Blades should welcome new signing Matthew Kilgallon who completed his £1.75M transfer from Leeds United last Monday. He should replace the suspended Morgan.
United however will still be without keepers Paddy Kenny and Ian Bennett who are out to groin and fractured finger injuries respectively.
Meanwhile Mikele Leigertwood (ankle) and Li Tie (leg haematoma) are also sidelined for the Bramall Lane club. The Blades may also field striker Jonathan Stead who has joined United in a £750,000 deal that could rise to £1,250,000.
Possible Blades Line-Up: Paul Gerrard, Rob Kozluk, Matthew Kilgallon, Claude Davis, Chris Armstrong, Keith Gillespie, Phil Jagielka, Michael Tonge, Stephen Quinn, Rob Hulse, Christian Nadé.
Portsmouth secured their place in round four in the FA Cup with a 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic. Andrew Cole scoring in the 64th minute before Lee McCulloch (83) equalised, before Kanu scored the winner in injury time.
The Fratton Park club will now face Manchester United at Old Trafford in a few weeks time in that fourth round tie but must now face the Blades before hand.
The visitors are expected to be without striker Tressor Lomana Lua-Lua (thigh) and former Sheffield Wednesday defender Djan Stefanovic (knee) who are both sidelined with injury.
Portsmouth also delved into the transfer market by signing duo Arnold Mvuemba who has joined from Rennes on loan and Defender Djimi Traore who completed his £1M transfer from Charlton Athletic, both may make their debuts against the Blades.
Possible Swans Line-Up: David James, Linvoy Primus, Noe Paramot, Matthew Taylor, Sol Campbell, Glen Johnson, Gary O'Neil, Miguel Pedro Mendes, Sean Davis, Nwankwo Kanu, Benjani Mwaruwari.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 1-0 Portsmouth