The conclusion to 2015 had ended with the Blades forging an impressive 3-1 win at home to Bradford City but the beginning of 2016 wasn't to have that fairy-tale story which the supporters had dreamed of. They began by hosting Peterborough United where the Posh were victorious for the second consecutive season. The game looked to be ending all square at 2-2 following Baldwin's own goal with six minutes spare, but their on-loan forward from West Ham, Samuelsen went straight up field and cannoned home the winner.
Sheffield United's reward for bypassing Non-League Worcester City (3-0) and fellow League One side Oldham Athletic (1-0) in the Football Association Cup was a daunting trip across the Pennines to face Manchester United at Old Trafford. Despite creating too few opportunities the Blades did, at least deserve a draw and the chance to take the famous Red Devils back to Bramall Lane for a replay. However it wasn't to be, Dean Hammond's late challenge gifted Wayne Rooney the opportunity from the penalty spot in the final minute, which he duly sent Long the wrong way.
Days later United played the originally postponed clash at Wigan Athletic, which had meant to take place on Boxing Day but the weather put paid to any League One involvement that day. When the game was played the Latics expressed train looked to drive straight through United without batting an eye-lid and with strikes from Grigg, Vuckic and McCann firing the hosts into a pulsating victory shortly after the hour mark. But somehow, by hook or crook the Blades were handed a lifeline on 68th minute when Matt Done finished, Sharp made it two and Done levelled late on and there still time to almost claim a winner had Che Adams effort not flashed wide of goal.
Picture: Manchester United's German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger battles for the ball with Sheffield United's Billy Sharp (#10 left) and Martyn Woolford (right)
Sheffield United 2-3 Peterborough United
Saturday, 2nd January 2016 - League One
Conor Washington was on target again as Peterborough secured a 3-2 victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Washington, being tracked by several Championship sides, opened the scoring in the 18th minute, beating George Long from distance for his 14th goal of the season. Peterborough went close to extending their lead when a shot from Andrew Fox was deflected into the side-netting. The home side pressed with Ben Alnwick saving from Chris Basham and David Edgar while a Billy Sharp effort came back off a post.
But Sharp equalised from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute after being brought down by Michael Smith. Alnwick then made a good save low to his left to keep out a Paul Coutts free-kick and Basham headed wide. Erhun Oztumer nudged Posh back in front three minutes into the second half with a stunning long-range effort. Jack Baldwin was unfortunate to divert Basham's effort into his own net to make it 2-2 seven minutes from time. The home side's joy was short-lived, however, as substitute Martin Samuelsen struck a superb winner just a minute later following a mazy run into the area.
Manchester United 1-0 Sheffield United
Saturday, 9th January 2016 - FA Cup Round 3
Supporters of Sheffield United have seen defeats on the big stage all too familiar a late but non so much cruel as the one they experienced last saturday night. In what was a brave defensive effort saw Maznchester United suject to 70% possession throughout but more importantly long range efforts of desperation. The only time they were handed a clean shot on Long's goal was after Depay was brought down in the penalty area for Rooney to take his chance - his third goal in consecutive games against United.
Wayne Rooney scored an injury time penalty against Sheffield United to spare Louis van Gaal's blushes and send Manchester United through to the fourth round of the FA Cup by the finest of margins. In the third of six added minutes, Rooney stepped up and blasted the ball past Blades goalkeeper George Long after Memphis Depay went down in the box following a challenge by Dean Hammond. Rooney and his United team-mates made a habit of scoring late goals for Sir Alex Ferguson and Van Gaal will be happy they still know how to dig themselves out of trouble at the end of matches.
This was not a victory the Red Devils deserved. At times it seemed the home supporters inside Old Trafford were on the verge of an open revolt against their manager. They cheered ironically when Matteo Darmian registered the hosts' first shot on target in the 69th minute and thousands had already streamed out of Old Trafford by the time Rooney had scored from the spot. The home supporters inside Old Trafford had every right to complain. Once again they did not get value for money from their players or their manager. Far from it. In truth, it was as bad a performance seen here this season.
Sheffield United began the day 46 places below the 20-time English champions in the league ladder. They have been beaten by Bury, Crewe and Colchester this season. Last week they lost 3-2 at home to Peterborough. But the League One side never looked being defeated in this third round tie until Depay went down following an apparent trip by Hammond. Van Gaal's men mustered just one shot on target in the whole match and they only came to life when their manager brought on Depay and Jesse Lingard with half an hour to go.
Van Gaal had selected a strong line-up containing nine internationals, but they could not muster a single attempt on target in the opening 45 minutes. Rooney plunged a long-range shot into the East Stand and then rounded the goalkeeper after a delicious ball from Darmian, but the Blades' defence regrouped and blocked the striker's path to goal. A few home fans started urging their team to pass the ball forwards, but their calls fell on deaf ears. It was the same old stuff from Van Gaal's men - sideways pass after sideways pass. Shortly after Daley Blind had ploughed the ball into the stand, the half-time whistle blew and boos reverberated around Old Trafford.
It was the 10th successive home game that Manchester United had failed to score before the break - a damning statistic that demonstrates how boring the football has become at Old Trafford. It was only when Depay and Lingard came off the bench that the hosts looked threatening. The £25million Dutch winger fired a low shot just wide of Long's goal, causing the home fans to rise to their feet and applaud ironically. Finally they had seen some attacking intent from their team. And then with 21 minutes left, the hosts managed their first shot on target - a weak effort from Darmian.
The Blades held firm at the back as United launched attack after attack. Depay came close with a low shot in the final minute, but many home fans were not around to see it. Thousands had already left, disappointed with what they had seen. Those who stayed were relieved to see referee Jon Moss point to the penalty spot after contact between Hammond and Depay. ROONEY sent Long the wrong way and put United into the fourth round.
Wigan Athletic 3-3 Sheffield United
Tuesday, 12th January 2016 - League One
Sheffield United fought back from three goals down inside the final quarter to earn a precious point in a thrilling SkyBet League One 3-3 draw at Wigan Athletic. The home side had led by two goals at the break, Will Grigg notching the first with a cool finish and Haris Vuckic making it 2-0 just before half-time with a clinical header. And it looked game over for the visitors at the midway point in the second half after Chris McCann skipped his way through the defence to add number three.
But the South Yorkshiremen dug in and showed the spirit that took Manchester United all the way at the weekend before losing in stoppage-time in the FA Cup. Matt Done immediately pulled one back after good work from Billy Sharp.
It was Sharp himself who reduced the arrears to just one with 15 minutes to go, heading home well from Jay McEveley's cross. The comeback was complete with two minutes to go when Jussi Jaaskelainen made a superb save to deny Sharp, only for Done to finish from close range.