They have played the Cumbrians in all top three divisions of the Football League and in our solo encounters in the top flight completed the double when, during the 1974/75 season United won 2-1 at Bramall Lane and 1-0 at Brunton Park - it was a glorious season for the Blades who finished only one point behind a European place - the closest we have come to be amongst the elite (with exception of catching the ferry at Dover!) whilst Carlisle will soon forget after they finished bottom of the league.
Prior to last season the Cutlers last meetings with United of Carlisle came in the 1985-86 Second Division campaigns (now Championship), United won 1-0 at Bramall Lane on New Years Day and in late march lost by the same score-line away from home manager less after Ian Porterfield had been relieved of his duties only the previous day after fan pressure forced chairman Reg Brealey to look for a new manager following an emergency board meeting - youth team coach Billy McEwan was installed as caretaker manager until the remainder of the season. Again Carlisle United were relegated (along with Middlesbrough and Fulham) whilst Sheffield United finished 7th.
Earlier in the season the Blades recorded a 3-1 victory at Brunton Park and stormed into a two goal lead through winger Ryan Flynn (16 minutes) and now Reading striker Nick Blackman (34), defender Danny Livesey (71) pulled one back and as they searched for an equaliser Neill Collins (84) extended United's lead to win the match.
Overall Sheffield United will be favorites ahead of this clash, they have won 10 (5 at home and 5 away) of the 21 meetings so far and have drawn only four of them - mostly at Bramall Lane. They Blades biggest victory came on 16 August 1980 (in Division Three) with a 3-0 away win and there biggest home victory was by the same score in our Second Division clash on 11 September 1976. However our heaviest defeat came later that season on 19 February when Carlisle won 4-1. In our last six meetings together United have won three and drawn once.
| League form versus Carlisle United.... | ||||||
| P | W | D | L | F | A | |
| Home | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 8 |
| Away | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 13 | 12 |
| Total | 21 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 25 | 20 |
* Statistics correct up to and including 30 March 2013
| 2012/2013 | Sat 08 Dec | Carlisle Utd. | 1 - 3 | Sheff. Utd. | League One |
| 2011/2012 | Mon 02 Jan | Carlisle Utd. | 3 - 2 | Sheff. Utd. | League One |
| Sat 19 Nov | Sheff. Utd. | 1 - 0 | Carlisle Utd. | League One | |
| 1985/1986 | Sat 29 Mar | Carlisle Utd. | 1 - 0 | Sheff. Utd. | Second Division |
| Wed 01 Jan | Sheff. Utd. | 1 - 0 | Carlisle Utd. | Second Division | |
| 1984/1985 | Sat 13 Apr | Sheff. Utd. | 0 - 0 | Carlisle Utd. | Second Division |
| Sat 22 Sep | Carlisle Utd. | 1 - 1 | Sheff. Utd. | Second Division | |
| 1980/1981 | Sat 15 Nov | Sheff. Utd. | 2 - 2 | Carlisle Utd. | Third Division |
| Sat 16 Aug | Carlisle Utd. | 0 - 3 | Sheff. Utd. | Third Division | |
| 1979/1980 | Sat 29 Mar | Sheff. Utd. | 0 - 2 | Carlisle Utd. | Third Division |
| Sat 17 Nov | Carlisle Utd. | 1 - 0 | Sheff. Utd. | Third Division | |
| 1976/1977 | Sat 19 Feb | Carlisle Utd. | 4 - 1 | Sheff. Utd. | Second Division |
| Sat 11 Sep | Sheff. Utd. | 3 - 0 | Carlisle Utd. | Second Division | |
| 1974/1975 | Sat 08 Feb | Carlisle Utd. | 0 - 1 | Sheff. Utd. | First Division |
| Sat 02 Nov | Sheff. Utd. | 2 - 1 | Carlisle Utd. | First Division | |
| 1970/1971 | Sat 27 Feb | Carlisle Utd. | 1 - 0 | Sheff. Utd. | Second Division |
| Sat 31 Oct | Sheff. Utd. | 2 - 2 | Carlisle Utd. | Second Division | |
| 1969/1970 | Fri 13 Mar | Sheff. Utd. | 1 - 0 | Carlisle Utd. | Second Division |
| Sat 29 Nov | Carlisle Utd. | 0 - 1 | Sheff. Utd. | Second Division | |
| 1968/1969 | Sat 18 Jan | Carlisle Utd. | 0 - 1 | Sheff. Utd. | Second Division |
| Sat 09 Nov | Sheff. Utd. | 0 - 1 | Carlisle Utd. | Second Division |