Owing to Peterborough United's victory the Blades mathematically can no longer make the top six and for the remaining three fixtures of this season remaining will no doubt experiment with fringe and Academy players. The day out at Prenton Park was United's 54th competitive fixture of the season so it came as no surprise when he made five changes to give tired legs a chance to rest. Matt Hill, Chris Porter, Stephen McGinn, Ben Davies and Connor Dimaio were all handed starts whilst vice-captain Neill Collins took the armband in his absence.
In the earlier exchanges McGinn took the more attacking role of the midfielders but it was Tranmere who posed the more dominant threat, within the opening 15 minutes the hosts saw two penalty appeals turned down whilst Akpa Akpro and Cassidy attempted long range efforts. Their best effort came when Ryan Lowe's shot bounced off the post and the former Wednesday striker was unable to clip home the rebound. At the other end the Blades saw Davies lob a few crosses into the box, Dimaio cracked an effort from 20 yards and Porter headed over from a cross from the right.
Brayford launched a throw and Dimaio again was on the end of it but failed to hit the target. Despite United seeing a share of the action it was Rovers who had the better chances, on half hour mark Lowe hit wide and Howard turned over Brown's effort. Murphy joined Porter in attack as the Blades switched to a 4-4-2 formation as the half-time whistle drew ever closer.
Changes were made at half-time with Doyle and Baxter replacing McGinn and Porter but were unable to find a way past Rovers stopper Fon Williams despite carving out a better start. Maguire was the first player to go into the referee's book when he checked Cassidy's run. On 55 minutes Taylor came close to turning home Power's free-kick with his header.
Shouts for a penalty on 66 minutes were turned away when Murphy was judged to have been hauled down by Taylor, Clough made his third and final change when Freeman took over from Maguire and Hill moved into the centre. Brayford fired wide of goal and Hill got in the way to block a Power shot. With six minutes remaining Baxter cut in and his shot forced the keeper into a save and from the resulting corner Brayford headed wide. Cassidy was handed what looked the easiest chance of the day but failed to hit the mark with a close range header.
The game finished goalless.
Tranmere Rovers: Fon Williams, Holmes, Taylor, Lowe, Cassidy (Stockton 90), Power, Jennings, Brown, Ridehalgh (Rowe 41), Akpa Akpro (Kirby 19), Pennington.
Unused: Morris, Bolland, Arthurworrey, Mooney.
Sheffield United: Howard, Brayford, Maguire (Freeman 67), Hill, Porter (Baxter 45), McGinn (Doyle 45), Collins, Coady, Davies, Murphy, Dimaio.
Unused: Flynn, Paynter, Long, Kennedy.