The defeat sustained at Fratton Park pushed Chris Morgan’s Blades to sixth in the table but with two games remaining for United they could at best end up with a third placed finish – the same position they finished in last season.
A play-off place doesn’t bode well with the Bramall Lane faithful having lost four finals previous (1997, 2003, 2009 & 2012) without scoring. However this season, having failed in their quest for automatic promotion will have to face the dreaded play-offs again.
As yet it’s unclear as to whom they will face and it all depends firstly how the Blades perform (and results) from the remaining fixtures at Crewe Alexandra tomorrow and at home to Preston North End on Saturday.
If the league table was to end as it currently stands then United would face Brentford, with the first leg being at the Lane either on Friday, 3 May 2013 or a day later, both second legs will take place on Bank Holiday Monday, 6 May 2013.
Should United be luckily enough to get past their opponents then the final at Wembley Stadium will take place on Sunday, 19 May 2013 and kick-off at 1.30pm.
Vital Dates.
First leg (match A) – Friday May 3, 2013, kick-off 7.45pm
First leg (match B) – Saturday May 4, 2013, kick-off 5.20pm
Second leg (match A) – Monday May 6, 2013, kick-off 1.30pm
Second leg (match B) – Monday May 6, 2013, kick-off 4.30pm
Final – Sunday May 19, 2013, kick-off 1.30pm at Wembley Stadium