David Edgar (right) joins on a season's long loan from SkyBet Championship side Birmingham City.
Former Sheffield United manager Steve Bruce brought his Hull City side to Bramall Lane for what was the final fixture in Nigel Adkins preparations for the new League One season. Whilst it may be a cliché it was defiantly a game of two sides as Jamie Murphy's first half strike saw United rewarded for the majority of the play. As too were the Tigers whose second half showing saw Hernandez use trickery and skill to fire past Long in front of the away support.
Finalising any transfer dealings before the Blades visited Gillingham on the opening day, youngster Dominic Calvert-Lewin would be allowed to join Chris Wilder's Northampton Town on loan until 1 January in a move which proved quite fruitful for both player and clubs as he would return with 24 professional games experience and 8 goals to his name, scoring on his debut in a 3-0 win over Blackpool in the League Cup.
A well worked pre-season had fuelled the Blades faithful with much enthusiasm and hope ahead of the forthcoming League One season which would be just days away. But all hype was quickly deflated quicker than a balloon following a terrible performance and a battering at Gillingham which ended in a 4-0 defeat. Murphy played the full 90 minutes which would prove to be his last appearance in a Blades shirt as just days later he completed a six figure sum to Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion.
Birmingham City defender David Edgar was brought in on loan until the end of the season prior to United's 1-0 victory at Morecambe in the League Cup, but they had to wait until the final minute, with extra-time and possibly penalties looming for Neill Collins to head home to winner.
Sheffield United 1-1 Hull City
Sunday, 2 August 2015 - Friendly
Jamie Murphy returned to the side and scored the Blades only goal against Hull City as the pair drew 1-1 in what was the final friendly of the summer. The Scot first half goal was enough to separate the two teams at the break as United dominated the opening 45 minutes, but with twelve minutes remaining Abel Hernandez scored to draw the visitors level against the run of play.
In what was the final friendly of the pre-season Nigel Adkins opted for a front two forward line of Billy Sharp and Che Adams. Both sides had chances to score early on witn the play pretty much even, firstly Murphy's free-kick was headed into the side netting by Basham before Jelavic saw his shot blocked.
On the 11th minute the Blades almost broke the deadlock, Collins burst forward before playing in Adams who turned his marker but McGregor got down to save with his legs and Bruce cleared for a corner. Adams was in the thick of it again and drew another good save from the City stopper and Bruce did just enough to prevent Sharp from hitting home the rebound.
Dawson produced a heroic tackle to deny Scougall and from the resulting corner Robertson headed clear off the line after McGregor failed to make a decision and he almost made another thumble when he nearly palmed Murphy's effort to Sharp.
An impressive first half display ended with te Blades taking the lead. MURPHY cut inside from the left before firing, his shot was hot and McGregor spilled as the ball spun into the bottom left hand corner of the goal; 1-0.
United made changes at half-time with Long replacing Howard in goal whilst (like at Wembley last season) Hull made several changes - this time four in total. On the hour mark James Wallace was given the chance to impress, replacing Baxter and Woolford was brought on for Scougall.
In a half of very little chances it was fair to say taht neither keeper, in particular Long was trouble in the second 45 minutes until City - out of the blue launched a rare attack. Dixon played a long telling pass in the direction of HERNANDEZ who is Gascoigne-esk style headed the ball over McFadzean and volleying home past Long; 1-1. At the other end United retaliated in a positive manor but Woolford saw his shot deflect for a corner.
From the resulting corner United looked to have sealed it, Higdon shrugged off his marker and alone at the far post he headed at goal but the defender somehow managed to head up and off the crossbar, but at the other end it was the post which saved the Blades after Luer struck after being teed up by N'Doye and Hernandez. A rather entertaining day ended all-square.
Gillingham 4-0 Sheffield United
Saturday, 8 August 2015 - League One
Gills boss Justin Edinburgh included five debutants from the start and two of them linked up for the opener, Ryan Jackson's long throw causing mayhem in the box and Osadebe poking home. The visitors struggled to get into the game - Che Adams their best outlet - and were 2-0 down two minutes before the break when Oshilaja stabbed the ball home after United had failed to clear a corner.
Egan made it three in the 82nd minute, meeting Brennan Dickenson's corner to head home and the Gills added a fourth in injury time. Dack capped a superb performance by driving a shot past despairing Blades goalkeeper George Long to round off a miserable afternoon for the visitors.
Morecambe 0-1 Sheffield United
Tuesday, 11th August 2015 - League Cup Round 1
An injury-time header from substitute Neill Collins earned Sheffield United a 1-0 victory over their League Two opponents in the Capital One Cup first round. Collins rose superbly to head home James Wallace's left wing corner from close range to give Nigel Adkins his first win as the Blades' boss in the second minute of time added on.
United had had the better of the second half with substitute Che Adams forcing two superb saves from Morecambe keeper Barry Roche before Connor Sammon and Marc McNulty both went close. Morecambe proved tough opponents and went closest to scoring in the first half when Lee Molyneux's 35-yard free kick beat the United wall but came back off the foot of the post.
The Shrimps had other chances with Mark Howard making a fine save to tip away Jamie Devitt's long-range effort and Alex Kenyon headed just over from a corner. The home side's best chance of the second period came when Devitt was played in on goal but made a mess of his final ball and the chance went begging.