The Blades haven't won since the start of the season when they defeated Nott's County by two goals to one and since then have suffered Yorkshire Derby defeats at Bradford City (0-2) and last weekend at Rotherham United (1-3). It was the first time the Blades had played a professional competitive fixture at their New York Stadium and almost took the lead after 3 minutes when Tony McMahon's free-kick crashed against the bar.
They did take the lead on 37 minutes through Jose Baxter's strike and it reamind thus until the break. Keiran Agard (51 minutes) fired through the hands of keeper Mark Howard to equalise before Daniel Nardiello (72) netted from the spot after he was upheaded up McMahon in the box. The defeat was sealed minutes later when a mistake by Maguire allowed Robert Milsom to fire home; 1-3.
Blades boss David Weir will be without striker Shaun Miller (knee) through injury and forward Febian Brandy will serve the last of a three match suspension following his red card against MK Dons two weeks ago. He also missed the trips to Scunthorpe United (JPT) and Rotherham United. He does however welcome back George Long (England U21s), Sean McGinty (Republic of Ireland U21s) and Jasper Johns (Northern Ireland U19s) who were all abcent due to international call-ups last weekend.
Midfileder Sean McGinty could however face his former club. He joined the Cumbrians on loan from Manchester United in a two month loan deal in November 2012 but only manged just one minute of professional football when (on Boxing Day) he came off the bench as United beat Hartlepool United by three goals to nil.
It may perhaps difficult to digest but Carlisle (at present) have a less impressive league record than the Blades going into this League One encounter at Brunton Park and are currently 22nd in the league - two points behind the Blades. They lost the opening day fixture 5-1 at home to Leyton Orient and have accumilated draws against Colchester United (1-1) and at Brentford (0-0), they have also only manged two league goals this season to date.
Last weekend they were beaten at home by league newcomers Port Vale by a single goal scored by Tom Pope three minutes deep into added on time, it was the first time that the Vale had beaten Carlsile in the league since March 1963.
The Cumbrians are expected to be without defender Sean O'Hanlon (groin) through injury, there only injury of note.
They are expected however to field former Sheffield United midfielder Paul Thirlwell, whilst striker Danny Cadamateri who is also on their books will sit this one out. Thirlwell signed for United from Sunderland in a free transfer in July 2004 and made his debut in a 1-0 home defeat to Reading, scoring his first and only Blades goal in a 3-3 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers. In August 2005 he transferred to Derby County having made 28 (+7) appearances and scored just once.
Veteran striker Danny Cadamarteri has been much traveled having served Everton, Fulham (loan), Bradford City and Leeds United before joining the Blades in September 2004 in a £50,000 fee under the leadership of Neil Warnock (he had an habit of collecting strikers). He made his debut in a 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion and later scored his only United goal in a 3-2 win at Crewe Alesxandra. He was mostly a fridge player behind the formidable Andy Gray and Steve Kabba but managed to make 14 (+8) appearances before joining Bradford City in June 2005.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Carlisle United 0-1 Sheffield United