25 days had passed since the Blades had drawn dramatically at promotion chasing Wigan Athletic, it was something like out of a Hollywood movie having trailed at 3-0 down after the hour mark. But the month of February would see the eventual League One Champions as their first opponents in a month where traditionally United fail to score many points. There 'rotten' luck in form continued as two goals in three minutes put Wigan into an assailable lead and unlike at the DW Stadium there would be no comebacks, though George Long prevented any further misery when he kept out Will Grigg's spot kick.
Che Adams netted the games' only goal as United completed the double over Doncaster Rovers in what was a drab and less than entertaining encounter but it was a victory which put United into 8th position and kept themselves within the play-off hunt. But a defeat at Bury wasn't the kind of response the Blades faithful were hoping for. Despite putting in a good first half performance which saw failed opportunities go United's way, they were punished in the first half and unable to rectify the deficit as they went down by a single goal at Gigg Lane.
They did however look to pick themselves up as the form guide in February read as L, W, L, W, L. A thunderbolt from Sharp in front of the Kop was enough to beat Port Vale by a single goal. But prior to this fixture, midfielder Jose Baxter is suspended by the club with immediate effect. Reasons later emerge this was for failing a random drugs test. With the loan market still wide open defender Bob Harris is allowed to join Fleetwood Town.
United slip to 10th following a 2-0 defeat at Rochdale, it was the first time the Blades had lost home or away against the Dale in their few meetings (8) between the two clubs. Giving a particularly low feel to the month of February.
Picture: Che Adams seen here scoring against Chesterfield was on target as the Blades beat Doncaster Rovers 1-0.
Sheffield United 0-2 Wigan Athletic
Saturday, 6th February 2016 - League One
Goals from Will Grigg and Conor McAleney helped in-form Wigan to a 2-0 victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Grigg and McAleney scored in the space of three second-half minutes to extend the Latics' unbeaten Sky Bet League One run to nine games and move them up to third. Wigan enjoyed much of the early possession but it was United who threatened as Jose Baxter instinctively chipped the ball just wide of Jussi Jaaskelainen's post.
Yanic Wildschut had Wigan's best opportunity of the first half but he was unable to convert a pinpoint Donervon Daniels cross. Grigg opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute after Wildschut was upended in the box by the Blades' Chris Basham. Debutant McAleney made it 2-0 three minutes later, smashing in a low drive past the hosts' despairing goalkeeper George Long.
United captain Jay McEveley tried his best to inspire a comeback but could only strike wide after a lung-bursting run and shot. Wigan were awarded another penalty 16 minutes from time after Chris McCann was tripped by Paul Coutts but Long saved Grigg's tame effort low to the keeper's left-hand side.
Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Sheffield United
Saturday, 13th February 2016 - League One
Sheffield United bounced back to form with a hard fought 1-0 South Yorkshire derby victory over Doncaster. The Blades were by far the best side in the first half but had some anxious moments when Rovers tried to hit back after the interval. United adapted better to the blustery conditions and twice went close in the early stages, when Jose Baxter had a close-range effort tipped over the top before Neill Collins headed against the bar following a corner.
Andy Williams had a goal bound effort blocked and a header cleared off the line when Rovers rallied before United snatched the lead in the 42nd minute. Che Adams latched onto a splendid through-ball from Baxter and was given time and space by the sluggish home defence to fire home from close range. Doncaster improved after the interval, with Williams inches away from converting a superb cross from Cameron Stewart with the goal at his mercy in the 57th minute.
Stewart dribbled through to have a swerving shot saved but the Blades held out resolutely to clinch a deserved first win in four games, leaving the home side without a win in six.
Bury 1-0 Sheffield United
Tuesday, 16th February 2016 - League One
Bury dented Sheffield United's play-off hopes as they claimed a 1-0 home win in League One. The Shakers were thumped 6-0 at Coventry on Saturday but Craig Jones struck in the 27th minute and the Bury defence was barely troubled as they went on to claim their first win in five, with the Blades being booed off by the travelling fans. Bury had conceded nine goals in their previous two games yet almost took the lead after 16 seconds as Chris Basham's last-ditch tackle prevented Jones getting a shot away.
Danny Mayor and Joe Riley then fired over from distance before the visitors replied with Dominic Calvert-Lewin heading over from a Jose Baxter free-kick. But Bury still broke the deadlock as Ryan Lowe laid off for Jones, who cut in from the right before hitting a fine left-footed strike into the top corner. United made a positive start to the second half as a Che Adams shot was cleared off the line by Riley.
But Bury got back on top with George Long pulling off fine saves to deny Mayor and Nathan Cameron. Yet the closest the visitors went to claiming a late equaliser was when John Brayford's header was blocked on the line by Peter Clarke.
Sheffield United 1-0 Port Vale
Saturday, 20th February 2016 - League One
A solitary goal from Billy Sharp gave Sheffield United a 1-0 win over Port Vale at Bramall Lane. Che Adams created United's first opening in the third minute but, after outpacing Vale's backline, he could not beat goalkeeper Chris Neal. Vale responded and, in the 11th minute, Anthony Grant had a low curling effort tipped wide by United keeper George Long.
Midway through the first half, Sharp converted a neat Dean Hammond through ball but he was adjudged to be offside. United had further chances as Hammond had a header cleared off the line and Sharp fired wide from close range. Sharp gave United the lead in the 50th minute, striking home a fierce half-volley from inside the area after a Hammond cross.
Moments later, Sharp could have doubled the Blades' lead but his shot from the edge of the area went narrowly wide. Vale struggled to create any clear-cut chances and it was United who looked the more likely as the ever-present Sharp struck over from the edge of the box.
Rochdale 2-0 Sheffield United
Saturday, 27th February 2016 - League One
Substitutes Grant Holt and Peter Vincenti came off the bench to inspire a 2-0 Rochdale victory over Sheffield United at Spotland. The Blades dominated the first half and were unfortunate to go in on level terms at the break. Martyn Woolford's cross was volleyed towards the roof of the net by Florent Cuvelier and Josh Lillis pulled off a tremendous save seven minutes in, pushing the ball over the top of the goal. From the resulting corner Dale midfielder Matt Lund headed against his own post.
Lillis saved Dale again in the 16th minute when he tipped Che Adams' effort over the crossbar and - towards the end of the half - the goalkeeper frustrated Adams again when a wayward pass from Jim McNulty presented the Blades striker with an opening.
Rochdale improved after the interval as boss Keith Hill introduced Holt and Vincenti and, while Lillis still had to be at his best to deny Billy Sharp and Adams again, the home side took the lead in the 67th minute. Holt's clever flick found Vincenti and he curled a fine finish wide of George Long in the United goal. And Dale doubled their advantage in the 81st minute when Holt swept Michael Rose's corner into the roof of the net.