Goals from Jamie Murphy and Chris Porter helped the Blades record a 2-1 victory at Port Vale on Friday night but their late surge has come at a cost of being unable to obtain a play-off place ahead of either Peterborough United or Swindon Town, but a successful cup-run which saw the Steel City club reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup will no doubt put the fans in high spirits - especially with the forthcoming League One season that will include local rivals Barnsley and Chesterfield next season.
United fielded a more recognisable eleven, opting to give youngster Connor Dimaio a rest and recall captain Michael Doyle. However he is without Belgian midfielder Florent Cuvelier (ligaments) through injury and left-full back Bob Harris (groin) is doubtful and likely to be replaced by either Kieron Freeman or Matt Hill.
Blades boss Nigel Clough may look to include duo Chris Porter and Jose Baxter to face their former clubs. Porter, 30 was signed by the Latics from rival club Bury in June 2005 - scoring on his debut in a 2-0 win over Yeovil Town, and would later bag a hat-trick at Brentford in a 3-3 draw. The following season he netted 22 times before, in May 2007 he was sold to Motherwell. During his time with Athletic he made 60 (+15) appearances and scored 31 goals.
Baxter joined Oldham permanently in July 2012 after making a few appearances for Everton. He scored on his debut in a 2-2 draw at home to Nott's County and went onto score 15 goals that season. In late August 2013, following the sale of Kevin McDonald (to Wolverhampton Wanderers) the Liverpudlian was sold to Sheffield United having made 43 (+6) appearances and scored 17 goals for the Latics.
Like United, Oldham warm up to their final home of the season by hosting the Blades - though the result of their final match against Nott's County may prove more vital with the Magpies potentially playing out a win in order to remain in the Division - should Latics win and other teams below also claim victory then the Nottinghamshire side could well see themselves playing League Two football.
The Boundary Park club themselves are safe in mid-table and any results from their resulting games will prove insignificant to their own plight but like many clubs will no doubt wish to end the season in a positive mood. This was evident when they recorded a 1-0 victory at Carlisle United on Saturday to give the Lancashire side their eighth game unbeaten since 11 March.
The Latics will be without Defender Genseric Kusunga (hamstring) and midfielder Anton Rodgers (knee) who are both sidelined through injury whilst defender Adel Gafaiti returned to Norwich City last week from his loan spell.
Latics boss Lee Johnson is likely to field duo Connor Brown and Danny Philliskirk against their former clubs. Brown was part of the Sheffield United Academy from 2006, signing professional terms in July 2011 but failed to break into the first team and was subsequently released in July 2012 - signing for Oldham that summer.
Philliskirk, son of former Blade Tony was signed after a successful loan spell from Chelsea in August 2011 (he had joined on loan in January 2011) - making his debut in a 3-1 defeat at Preston North End has the Blades were relegated. In February 2013 he was allowed to join Coventry City on a free transfer after making too few appearances and started just once (+7) and left without scoring.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Oldham Athletic 0 Sheffield United 2