Despite our hosts Manchester United being clear favourites to win this tie, Sheffield United will hope to put up a battle and cause a surprise shock at Old Trafford this weekend. Having already breezed past the first and second rounds respectively, the Blades have already picked up £45,000 in prize money. A win in Lancashire (or in a replay) would add a further £67.500 to the tally.
The Red Devils automatically join the Emirates FA Cup at the Third Round stage being a Premier League club. United however had to see off Non-Leaguers Worcester City in round one, Jose Baxter (penalty), Conor Sammon and Kieron Freeman all netted without reply as the Blades dumped the Midlands side out of the cup. United made a simple task in beating the Midlands side who had caused Coventry City much trouble twelve months previous.
The S2 club were rewarded with rival League One opposition in the shape of Oldham Athletic and although they lost Che Adams late on to a straight red card, Matt Done's earlier goal was enough to see them in round three and give an anxious wait as the draw was made two days later.
Emirates FA Cup 2015-16 Prize Money
| Extra preliminary round Winners | (184) | £1,500 |
| Preliminary round Winners | (160) | £1,925 |
| First round qualifying Winners | (116) | £3,000 |
| Second Round Qualifying winners | (80) | £4,500 |
| Third Round Qualifying winners | (40) | £7,500 |
| Fourth Round Qualifying winners | (32) | £12,500 |
| First Round Proper winners | (40) | £18,000 |
| Second Round Proper winners | (20) | £27,000 |
| Third Round Proper winners | (32) | £67,500 |
| Fourth Round Proper winners | (16) | £90,000 |
| Fifth Round Proper winners | (8) | £180,000 |
| Sixth Round Proper winners | (4) | £360,000 |
| Semi-Final winners | (2) | £900,000 |
| Semi-Final losers | (2) | £450,000 |
| Final runners-up | (1) | £900,000 |
| Final Winners | (1) | £1,800,000 |
Amounts are per club in each round. Numbers in brackets represent the number of winning clubs per round
Sheffield United 2-0 Worcester City
Round One: Saturday: 7th November 2015
Goals from Jose Baxter, Conor Sammon and Kieron Freeman gave Sheffield United a 3-0 victory over non-league Worcester City in the first round of the FA Cup. United keeper George Long was forced to make a sixth-minute save, tipping Connor Gater's 20-yard effort over. Baxter scored from the penalty spot in the 19th minute to put the hosts in front after Che Adams was fouled by Sam Minihan following his burst into the area.
Jamal Campbell-Ryce went close to extending United's lead soon after when his shot came back off the bar. The home side continued to dominate with Adams and Campbell-Ryce both going close and Sammon heading wide before the break. Worcester's Deon Burton tried a long-range shot which was comfortably saved by Long.
Freeman had a shot parried by Nathan Vaughan at his near post. Baxter then shot wide after looking certain to score and a Bob Harris free-kick struck the bar. Sammon made it 2-0 after 81 minutes, tapping in from close range after meeting a low cross from Campbell-Ryce. Freeman bundled the ball into the net to complete the scoring in stoppage time.
Sheffield United 1-0 Oldham Athletic
Round Two: Saturday, 5th December 2015
Ten-man Sheffield United booked their place in the third round of the FA Cup with a nervy 1-0 win over Oldham at Bramall Lane. A goal early in the second half from Matt Done was enough to secure the win for the Blades. Neither side were able to break the deadlock during a first half which saw very few chances.
Oldham came closest in the first period, with Danny Philliskirk turning Mark Yeates' low free-kick onto the post. The home side got the only goal of the game. Straight after the re-start. Done wriggled through the Oldham defence and calmly lifted the ball over David Cornell into the far corner in the 47th minute.
Twenty minutes later, the Blades were down to ten when striker Che Adams was given a straight red card after appearing to push Latics skipper Liam Kelly in the face. Oldham pressed for the equaliser but rarely threatened George Long's goal and were reduced to long-range shots from Philliskirk and Timothee Dieng. John Brayford almost added a second for United but one goal proved to be enough.