You have to go back 25 years since the last time the Blades and the Shrews played out a league match, it was in the Second Division in a season where; after another successful play-offs the Blades were relegated. United had the misfortune of being on the wrong end of a 'double' with the Shrews winning 2-0 on their former Gay Meadow home on 17 November 1987 before recording a 1-0 win at the Lane on 13 February 1988.
The two have met three times since then, all in the League Cup; winning 6-0 on aggregate under Adrian Heath in August 1999 and in our promotion season of 2005-06 under Neil Warnock the pair drew 0-0 at Gay Meadow with the Blades winning 4-3 on penalties. The home side, that day - featured now full England international and Manchester City stopper Joe Hart who hit the post with his penalty in the shoot-out.
For the Football League the season unofficially started last weekend, with this seasons arrangements held back a week it gave a rare opportunity for teams to play there regular midweek League Cup fixtures on a Saturday and United did exactly that in their home tie with Burton Albion.
It was the visitors who booked a place in round two after beating the Blades on penalties - they took the lead through Adi Yussuf (34 minutes) but United were back in the game after the break when debutant Nick Blackman (51) headed home in front of the Kop and the game went to extra-time. Blackman spurned a chance to take the lead after rounding the keeper and they were punished through Cleveland Taylor (97) until the hosts were awarded with a penalty. Neil Collins saw his spot kick saved but he timed to place home the rebound; 2-2.
Marcus Holness was sent-off for the Brewers following two yellow cards and with the score locked level the game went to penalties with Albion advancing through in a 5-4 victory.
Blades boss Danny Wilson fielded a mix side in last weekend's defeat to Burton and is likely to make changes ahead of this Saturday's League One curtain raiser against Shrewsbury; however on-loan striker John Cofie may be absent after the forward sustained an hip injury a fortnight ago in a friendly at Morcambe.
The Shrews too were dumped out of the League Cup at the first hurdle, though lost at a 4-0 canter against a Leeds United side which included former Blades; Paddy Kenny, Michael Brown and Andy Gray (unused). They led by two goals at half-time with strikes from Luciano Bacchio (20) and Luke Varney (26) and after the break further hits from David Norris (66) and a Ross McCormack (70) penalty made it four.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 2-0 Shrewsbury Town
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