They have played the Cumbrians in all top three divisions of the Football League and in our solo encounters in the top flight the Blades mastered the double when, during the 1974/75 season United won 2-1 at Bramall Lane and 1-0 at Brunton Park. It was a glorious season for the Blades who finished only one point behind a European place - the closest we have come to be amongst the elite (with exception of catching the ferry at Dover!) whilst Carlisle will soon forget after they finished bottom of the league and were duly relegated.
Prior to the League One campaigns (2011-present) our last meetings with United of Carlisle came in the 1985-86 Second Division campaigns (now Championship), United won 1-0 at Bramall Lane on New Years Day and in late March lost by the same score-line away from home manager less after Ian Porterfield had been relieved of his duties only the previous day following fan pressure forced chairman Reg Brealey to search for a new manager following an emergency board meeting - youth team coach Billy McEwan was installed as caretaker manager until the remainder of the season. Again Carlisle United were relegated (along with Middlesbrough and Fulham) whilst Sheffield United finished 7th.
Overall Sheffield United will be favorites ahead of this clash, they have won 10 (5 at home and 5 away) of the 22 meetings so far and have drawn only five of them - mostly at Bramall Lane. They Blades biggest victory came on 16 August 1980 (in Division Three) with a 3-0 away win and there biggest home victory was by the same score in our Second Division clash on 11 September 1976. However our heaviest defeat came later that season on 19 February when Carlisle won 4-1. In our last six meetings together United have won three and drawn once.
Last season the Blades won 3-1 at Brunton Park on 8 December - they stormed into a two goal lead through winger Ryan Flynn (16 minutes) and now Reading striker Nick Blackman (34), defender Danny Livesey (71) pulled one back and as they searched for an equaliser Neill Collins (84) extended United's lead to win the match. In the return fixture at Bramall Lane (1 April) the score ended goalless despite the dismissal of Blues Sean O'Hanlon after recieving two yellow cards for his troubles.
14 September 2013 - Carlisle United 1 Sheffield United 0
Fans of Sheffield United will be losing patience after the Blades succumbed to a single goal defeat at Brunton Park against manager less Carlisle United who recorded their first league win of the season. The two United's of Sheffield and Carlisle have found wins hard to come by so far this season but the Blades came into this match with just one victory (which was more than the Cambrians) but a defeat at Brunton Park has left David Weir's side hovering just above the bottom four relegation spots and their fans feeling that if things don't halter soon it won't be long until they fall into that dreaded drop zone. The Blades were blessed with the returns of George Long and Sean McGinty to return to the squad after missing last weeks 3-1 defeat at Rotherham United having being selected for International duty.
Despite defeat the S2 club were dominant in the opening exchanges, neatly passing the ball but lacked penetration in attack and a showing of just one opportunity in front of goal within the first 45 minutes didn't make good reading, Neil Collins header sailing over the top. Carlisle had chances in front of goal; Noble fired wide of target in what the games first chance of the match and Long did well to keep out Amoo's effort from the edge of the box. On 19 minutes an opportunity occurred at the right end of the pitch, Joe Ironside - who was drafted in place of Lyle Taylor saw his effort charged down after combining well with Cuvelier. However it was Jose Baxter (whom had scored last week at the New York Stadium) who posed as United's biggest threat to dent the Blues armour. Collins headed over the former Oldham man's corner on 23rd minute.
Baxter and Cuvelier were making full attempt to grind the opposition down but Amoo was making great work in penetrating the Blades defence. He escaped advances from Hill but soon found his moves blocked by Collins. McGinn was moments away from taking the lead for the visitors when he almost connected with McMahon's cross. On 34th minute Carlisle were forced into a change, Townsend replacing Guy. Ironside was then prevented a chance when he was stopped in his tracks by O'Hanlon and McGinn saw his shot deflected behind for a corner. The first half ended all square with neither side making any headway in front of goal but three minutes after the re-start midfielder Cuvelier was unfortunate not to win a free-kick in a good position after Robinson had handled the ball as the pair battled to win possession.
Has the hour mark approached the goal came out of the blue. A free-kick was swung into the box - Long was able to make the save but ROBSON (58 minutes) was on hand to head home what was to be the winner. Weir made two changes with Ironside and McGinn exiting the field in place of Taylor and McFadzean shortly afterwards. United was able to pile on the pressure and could have snatched an equalised soon afterwards, a run from Taylor created space for McMahon to fire wide of Gillespie's target and on 72nd minute their lack of enthusiasm in attack prevented them from finding that leveller. A nice pass and move involving Taylor and Baxter saw McFadzean making a darting run down the flank but his low cross across the box was agonisingly missed by Westlake. Another McFadzean cross saw Doyle smash over the crossbar as he lurked into the box unnoticed. Bunn, on loan from Manchester City was introduced in place of Westlake and with eight minutes remaining Carlisle changed Miller for Beck but as the game wore on neither side could make further impacts in front of goal as the game finished one-nil to the hosts.
:: RESULTS ::
| P | W | D | L | F | A | |
| Bramall Lane | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 8 |
| Brunton Park | 13 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 14 | 15 |
| Total: | 25 | 11 | 5 | 9 | 29 | 23 |
| 11 Jan 1947 | Sheffield United v Carlisle United | W | 3-0 | FA Cup |
| 09 Nov 1968 | Sheffield United v Carlisle United | L | 0-1 | League Division Two |
| 18 Jan 1969 | Carlisle United v Sheffield United | W | 0-1 | League Division Two |
| 29 Nov 1969 | Carlisle United v Sheffield United | W | 0-1 | League Division Two |
| 13 Mar 1970 | Sheffield United v Carlisle United | W | 1-0 | League Division Two |
| 31 Oct 1970 | Sheffield United v Carlisle United | D | 2-2 | League Division Two |
| 27 Feb 1971 | Carlisle United v Sheffield United | L | 1-0 | League Division Two |
| 03 Feb 1973 | Carlisle United v Sheffield United | L | 2-1 | FA Cup |
| 02 Nov 1974 | Sheffield United v Carlisle United | W | 2-1 | League Division One |
| 08 Feb 1975 | Carlisle United v Sheffield United | W | 0-1 | League Division One |
| 11 Sep 1976 | Sheffield United v Carlisle United | W | 3-0 | League Division Two |
| 19 Feb 1977 | Carlisle United v Sheffield United | L | 4-1 | League Division Two |
| 17 Nov 1979 | Carlisle United v Sheffield United | L | 1-0 | League Division Three |
| 29 Mar 1980 | Sheffield United v Carlisle United | L | 0-2 | League Division Three |
| 16 Aug 1980 | Carlisle United v Sheffield United | W | 0-3 | League Division Three |
| 15 Nov 1980 | Sheffield United v Carlisle United | D | 2-2 | League Division Three |
| 22 Sep 1984 | Carlisle United v Sheffield United | D | 1-1 | League Division Two |
| 13 Apr 1985 | Sheffield United v Carlisle United | D | 0-0 | League Division Two |
| 01 Jan 1986 | Sheffield United v Carlisle United | W | 1-0 | League Division Two |
| 29 Mar 1986 | Carlisle United v Sheffield United | L | 1-0 | League Division Two |
| 19 Nov 2011 | Sheffield United v Carlisle United | W | 1-0 | League One |
| 02 Jan 2012 | Carlisle United v Sheffield United | L | 3-2 | League One |
| 08 Dec 2012 | Carlisle United v Sheffield United | W | 1-3 | League One |
| 01 Apr 2013 | Sheffield United v Carlisle United | D | 0-0 | League One |
| 14 Sep 2013 | Carlisle United v Sheffield United | L | 1-0 | League One |