United dominated the game and went twice in front through Harry Maguire and Tom Kennedy before the visitors pulled a consolation back in stoppage time.
However, it was the visitors who started the brightest at Shirecliffe with the Reds putting a number of high balls into the box, forcing keeper Wills to act fast.
United then had opportunities themselves to pull into the lead as they slowly took charge of the game; Jordan Slew missed three chances on goal before Matt Harriott fired against the crossbar and Whitehouse saw his effort disallowed.
They had to wait until the hour mark till the opposition goal was rumbling – a training ground set piece was finished off with Maguire heading home at the far post; 1-0.
Eleven minutes later the second arrived, right full-back Kennedy started and finished a free flowing move involving himself, Harriott and Callum McFadzean .
The home side should have put the game out of reach but deep into stoppage time Barnsley answered to add late pressure on John Pemberton’s side.
It was the Blades third successive victory in a row and currently sits third in the league; just three points behind leaders Nottingham Forest with two games in hand over the City Ground club. Incidentally, the reserves travel to Oakwell this Wednesday, kicking off at 2:00pm.
Blades: Willis, Kennedy, Pomares, Harriott (Hinchcliffe 88), Maguire, Barry, Gregory (Murray 86), Whitehouse, Slew, Deakin (Martin 65), McFadzean.
Unused: Andrew, Anderson.