For the third successive season in a row, the Blades were defeated on the opening day of the season. Bristol City and Gillingham were victors in previous campaigns but it was an away defeat at Bolton Wanderers who provided misery for Chris Wilder's side.
United will be looking to overturn a midweek defeat to Crewe Alexandra in the English Football League Cup at the first round stage.
Crewe Alexandra came from behind to win 2-1 at Sheffield United after extra-time in their EFL Cup first-round clash. Substitute Ryan Lowe scored both Crewe goals, his winner coming 10 minutes into extra-time, after Leon Clarke gave the home side an early lead. Clarke was in the thick of the early action as Crewe goalkeeper Ben Garratt just beat him to the ball inside the opening few minutes.
Moments later, Clarke found himself free inside the area after intercepting a back-pass, but Garratt narrowed the angle and turned his shot wide. Clarke did find the net after only six minutes, meeting John Fleck's floated ball into the area on the volley. Fleck had a good chance to increase United's lead after meeting Chris Hussey's cross, when he shot straight at Garratt. After George Cooper had Crewe's first chance, putting a low shot narrowly wide, it Clarke again drew a save from Garratt, who got down bravely to save as the goalscorer bore down on goal.
Shortly before the break, Clarke had another chance to score when he intercepted George Ray's back-pass before stabbing the ball wide as Garratt advanced towards him. United substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin shot wide before Lowe levelled a minute from time, smashing the ball past George Long after the home defence failed to clear following a corner. Lowe struck the winner 10 minutes into extra-time, finishing confidently after a free-kick was knocked down into his path by Ben Nugent. Fleck and Mark Duffy both struck the bar with long-range efforts as the home side pressed for an equaliser.
Sheffield United are without central defender Jack O'Connell for the visit of Rochdale. O'Connell, signed last month from Brentford, suffered a knock in the Blades' extra-time EFL Cup defeat to Crewe on Tuesday. O'Connell's absence is set to hand a debut to Jake Wright, who joined last month soon after terminating his contract at Oxford by mutual consent. United boss Chris Wilder said several other player sustained knocks on Tuesday but refused to elaborate.
Rochdale, who opened their account with a 3-2 home defeat to Peterborough United will be without star striker Peter Vincenti, along with Matty Lund and Ruben Noble-Lazarus are all side-lined through injury. They will be boosted by the new signing of goalkeeper Conrad Logan who is expected to replace Jonathan Diba Musangu on the substitutes bench.
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