Sheffield United vs Man United – Premier League LIVE: Erik ten Hag’s side look to build on Brentford win with football in mourning for Sir Bobby Charlton

Follow Mail Sport’s live blog for all the latest updates from Brammall Lane as Sheffield United host Manchester United in the Premier League.

A handful up top for Sheffield United

Sheffield United have only scored six goals this league campaign, but with these two up top, you get the sense any day could, in theory, be a net-busting one.

Cameron Archer’s performance against Everton showed exactly what he is capable of as he bagged a first-half goal. He ran riot that day, and the speedy youngster’s pairing with Oli McBurnie is something of a traditional one – a target man powerhouse nodding balls down to a footballing whippet.

Both have produced the goods at Championship level, but the step up has not been easy. Can they fire the Blades to safety?

Head-to-head record and stats

Clouds gather over Bramall Lane as the Red Devils arrive. But what does history tell us?

Well, these sides have met ten times in the Premier League. The Blades have won two and drawn one, with United claiming seven victories.

For 24 meetings in a row, United have found the net against their adversaries – you have to go back 51 years to find a match where they didn’t score against the Yorkshire outfit.

They’re on a run of nine successive wins against newly promoted teams, but beware the curse of winning. United have lost six of 11 games this season and whenever they get a win in the league, it’s followed up by a loss.

A Chris Basham update

Don’t worry, Sheffield United fans. We haven’t forgotten about you.

It was heartwarming to hear this week that Chris Basham’s recovery is going well. Some feared that his injury would signal the end of his career at the top level. But the 35-year-old is a determined man and has put on a brave face despite his stint in hospital.

Paul Heckingbottom seemed fairly certain that down the line, the Blades will have him back.

Where's Casemiro?

Manchester United’s injury list is a rather in-vogue destination at the moment, mocked with stars. Casemiro has joined Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, and Kobbie Mainoo on the sidelines. Sergio Reguilon could have made the squad but isn’t quite there.

But could Casemiro’s absence be a blessing in disguise? Erik ten Hag is forced to respond, to switch things up, to adapt. Sofyan Amrabat has got the nod today and he’ll be doing his best to impress.

Sheffield United release their line-up

James McAtee and Jack Robinson return to the Blades’ line-up.

Paul Heckingbottom said that Chris Basham’s recovery was progressing fine after his horror ankle fracture earlier this season, but he is still out and in hospital. Defednder Anel Ahmedhodžić is also unavailable.

Manchester United release their line-up

As suspected, Rasmus Hojlund leads the line for United despite his mid-week fracas with the San Marino players, who he accused of being too physical.

Victor Lindelof also features after a horrible week in which two Sweden fans were shot dead by a lone gunman befroe his nation’s Euro 2024 qualifier with Belgium.

Sofyan Amrabat is in despite missing both of Morocco’s international fixtures. Raphael Varane returns to the bench after his injury, but United will be without Casemiro tonight. More on that later.

Andre Onana warned to 'step up'

Before the team news starts rolling in, let’s look at some more of Erik ten Hag’s pre-match quotes.

The Dutchman has told undre-fire goalkeeper, Andre Onana, that performances need to improve.

That said, he also notes that other great Manchester United goalkeepers down the years didn’t hit the ground running. Peter Schmeichel and David de Gea didn’t exactly set the world alight as soon as they arrived, and Ten Hag has stressed the need for an ‘integration’ period.

The fact that Man United have conceded 12 goals in their first eight league games this season is a team problem, not just an Onana one. All the same, a couple of months into the campaign, Ten Hag has told his goalkeeper that now is the time to ‘step up’.

Read more of his comments below.

Erik ten Hag warns about complacency

Erik ten Hag has warned his team about complacency against their winless opponents tonight.

United have hardly had a rosy start themselves, losing four of their opening eight Premier League fixture – and they’re bottom of their Champions League group just to compound their woes.

‘Every game is very difficult,’ Ten Hag told United’s official website. ‘You have seen they have had really good performances but in that moment, they don’t get the result.’

Read more of what he had to say below.

Tributes paid to Sir Bobby Charlton

Some of the key figures who knew Sir Bobby Charlton well have paid their respects to the football legend.

Among them are Sir Geoff Hurst, David Beckham, and Gary Neville.

There will be a minute of silence held at Bramall Lane before kick-off tonight.

One of football's true greats

When you hear people speak about Sir Bobby Charlton, they don’t just speak of a phenomenal player, but also a gentleman.

Gary Neville called him Manchester United’s greatest worldwide ambassador earlier today, and that goes some way to showing the effect he had. Even after he hung up his boots, stuffed with trophies and a Ballon d’Or, he stayed close to the game as a manager, director, and consistent voice of wisdom.

Good evening and welcome

Hello and welcome to Mail Sport’s live blog of the build-up and action for Manchester United’s trip to Sheffield United.

Today we have a different kind of football match, one far more emotional than usual. Sir Bobby Charlton’s passing has hit football hard – he was one of the true greats of the game and had a special relationship with Manchester United.

Tributes have been flooding in for the England and United legend, and United will be hoping to do their hero proud.

United come into this after a late comeback win against Brentford. They have two stoppage time goals from Scott McTominay to thank for that, but there’s been an international break in between.

Sheffield United sit rock bottom of the table and remain winless after eight games.

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