Following a successful pre-season which saw United draw with both Newcastle United and Hull City it was disappointing to lose on the opening day of the season for the second year running after Bristol City were 2-1 winners last year.
Last season, under Nigel Clough the Blades defended terribly from set-pieces and goals conceded via this method played a huge part in missing out on promotion but for Gillingham on Saturday it played a huge part in them wheeling away with a opening day win as the first three of the four goals scoring all came from crosses into the box from corners and free-kicks.
Prior to kick-off George Long was given the keepers gloves ahead of Mark Howard with the Sheffield born stopper playing behind one of his fellow Academy bred team-mates Callum McFadzean at left-back. Meanwhile Billy Sharp and Martyn Woolford were handed their debuts with Conor Sammon starting on the bench.
In the opening ten minutes the Blades were on the back foot with the Gills winning two corners and launching two long throws into the box -a move which saw them take the lead inside 8 minutes. Jackson had thrown the ball long into the 18 yard area and in a cluster of players OSADEBE was able to scramble the ball home.
A minute later the Blades were under the cosh again when a lack in communication between Collins and Long saw the latter clear and charged down by Dack. United got into the game slightly when the home side backed off but Sharp saw his effort trickle wide.
Just before the half hour Adams charged at the opposition defence and as he was brought down appeals for a free-kick were ignored and the hosts went straight on the attack. Thankfully it ended without conceding as Williamson saw his effort deflected wide for a corner.
At the other end Freeman fired into the side netting and Dack fired over as both sides were gifted with chances. From a corner conceded a woefully defended cross resulted in OSHILAJA smashing home from close range - again in a crowded box.
As the second half kick-offed the visitors made a brighter start, Sammon was introduced for Baxter at half-time which included positional changes for Adams and Woolford and Basham went close from a corner from an acute angle.
Despite the Blades making all attempts to get back into the game it was the hosts who looked the biggest threat. On 76 minutes Nelson pushed away a Murphy shot after he ran through and shot from distance and a penalty appeal was turned away after the Scot fell the ground under the challenge of Jackson.
With eight minutes remaining Gillingham took the game beyond the Blades reach when they added a third from yet another set piece. A corner was delivered into the box from the right with former Blades loan defender EGAN finishing in another crowded corner.
The day got worse for the near 2,000 travelling Blades when in stoppage time DACK cut in from the left and smashed a shot which curled round Long and into the bottom corner of the goal; 0-4.
Gillingham: Nelson, Jackson, Egan, Houghton, Williamson, A Morris (Hessenthaler 45), Osadebe (Wright 89), Norris, Dack, Dickenson, Oshilaja. Unused: Garmston, Ehmer, McGlashan, G Morris, Donnelly.
Sheffield United: Long, Freeman, Basham, Murphy, Sharp, Baxter (Sammon 45), Collins, Woolford (Reed 69), McEveley, McFadzean, Adams (Scougall 69). Unused: Howard, J Wallace, Higdon, K Wallace.