New Magpies signing Georgino Wijnaldum had opened the scoring, capitalising on a defensive error before the break before United levelled through Marc McNulty. Siem De Jong restored the visitors lead but Freeman was to have the last say with his thunder bolt effort beating Dutch International Tim Krul in front of the Kop.
Nigel Adkins named a side which didn't include new signing Billy Sharp with Martyn Woolford starting and Conor Sammon being introduced in the second half. John Brayford, Mark Howard and Bob Harris were all notable absentees as they suffered from injuries.
It was fair to suggest that Newcastle, the more experienced side started the game the better side and within 90 seconds had threatened United's goal. Cisse unleashed a left foot effort which curled past George Long before rattling the post, soon afterwards Wijnaldum fired wide as the Magpies looked set to dominate the proceedings.
But the Blades found themselves back into the game and within the opening 20 minutes had carved out chances for themselves. Woolford was off target and Che Adams found himself crowded out by Janmaat after McNulty played him through. McNulty hit wide himself after Jose Baxter's free-kick ricocheted off the wall.
It was the visitors who took the lead at Bramall Lane and came about after a defensive error, a poor back-pass to Long put him under pressure, he was able to prevent Cisse from finding the net but the ball broke lose to WIJNALDUM who made no mistake.
Jamal Campbell-Ryce was introduced at the break, replacing Woolford and it wasn't long after the second half begun that the Blades levelled the scores. Brilliant play in the middle of the park saw United break the offside trap with Adams slipping through to MCNULTY who one-one-one with the keeper pushed the ball through his legs and into the back of the net.
With an hour of play gone Sammon and Done was introduced for Adams and McNulty. Within moments Done looked to score when he lifted the ball over Krul but Taylor was on hand to head clear. United looked to be controlling the Premier League side until the 78th minute when they won a corner. Colbeck's delivery was flicked on by Cisse with an unmarked DE JONG to tap home at the far post.
With three minutes of the game remaining Chris Morgan was looking to make his anticipated move onto the field but not before FREEMAN half-volleyed his effort 25 yards from goal, his stunning strike was unstoppable for Krul in what was a well-deserved equaliser for the Blades.
Morgan duly took the captains armband with just minutes remaining. But there was still plenty of action to be had, they was a late shout for a penalty to the visitors and at the other end - had it been a cup competition then Williamson would have surely been handed his marching orders. He was the last defender when he dragged down Sammon and the resulting free-kick from Morgan was blasted against the wall before the referee drew a close to the game.
Sheffield United: Long, Freeman, Collins (Morgan 87), McEveley (K Wallace 84), McFadzean, Woolford (Campbell-Ryce 45), Basham (J Wallace 74), Baxter (Reed 67), Murphy (Scougall 57), McNulty (Done 59), Adams (Sammon 59). Subs: Willis, K. Wallace, Di Girolamo, Calvert-Lewin, Morgan.
Newcastle United: Krul, Janmaat, Haidara, Taylor, Williamson, Wijnaldum, Sissoka, Perez, Colback, Anita, Cisse. Subs: De Long, Gouffran, Lascelles, Aarons, Obertan, Darlow, Abeid, Armstrong, Satka.
Attendance: 12,002