The trip to the Keepmoat proved unsuccessful; having claimed a point at home to Burnley (3-3) and a victory at Hull City (1-0) the Blades hoped to kick start their season with at least a point against their South Yorkshire enemy.
However it wasn't to be as a dreadful performance resulted in a 2-0 defeat; Billy Sharp (42) grabbing Rovers second after James Coppinger (33) sprung them into the lead.
United are without Darius Henderson (hamstring), Stephen Jordan (hamstring), Ryan France (back), and Lee Williamson (back and Robert Kozluk (leg).
Just twelve league positions separate the Blades and this weekend's opponents Coventry City; but despite the large gap only a six point margin separate the two teams.
Defender Ritchie de Laet may have already played his last game for the Blades in the defeat at the Keepmoat and returned to Manchester United. He joined on a 30 day loan, though Gary Speed would like to extend the deal. Andy Taylor who has put out impressive display's for the reserves may start in his absence.
Expected Eleven: Simonsen, Calvé, Morgan, Nosworthy, Taylor, Ertl, Yeates, Quinn, Britton, Cresswell, Bogdanovic.
Last season Coventry City struggled in the Championship but under manager Aidrian Boothroyd the Sky Blues have assembled themselves into a dark horse for a top six finish to date.
He helped guide Watford into the Premier League in May 2006 via the play-offs and currently has taken the Ricoh Arena side to sixth in the table.
Coventry City was also on the end of a South Yorkshire side last weekend as they faced Barnsley at the Ricoh Arena; the Sky Blues were unbeaten in eleven meetings with the Oakwell club prior to last weekend.
They extended their run over the Reds to twelve as they danced into a three goal lead without reply; Gary McSheffrey (9 minutes), Carl Barker (85) and Jordan Clarke (90) completing the route.
City will travel to Bramall Lane without much publicised striker Marlon King (muscle problem) through injury; fellow forward Freddy Eastwood is also sidelined through injury.
Expected Eleven: Westwood, Keogh, Turner, R. Wood, Cranie, Clingan, Gunnarsson, McSheffrey, Carsley, Platt, Jutkiewicz.