31st January Blades manager Neil Warnock is refusing to rule out a move for West Brom striker Geoff Horsfield. The Blades boss has revealed that he did try to sign the 32-year-old before recruiting Ade Akinbiyi from Burnley. Baggies boss Bryan Robson had claimed that Horsfield was set to join the Blades on loan. "Bryan can say what he wants, he's not in charge of my club is he? But I would never rule anything out," He commented:"We tried to sign him a while ago but he wasn't available, and that's why we went after Ade, who gives us something different to Geoff."

28th January West Bromwich Albion striker Geoff Horsfield is on the verge of joining United on loan. It is understood the former Fulham player will move to the Lane with a view to signing a permanent deal in the summer. An old fashioned centre-forward in many respects, 'The Horse' (as Horsefield is known) never shirks a challenge and has a strong physical presence which belies his deft ability on the ball and a good eye for goal. It took him five games to get off the mark for the Baggies, but Horsfield then cracked seven goals in 17 games to emerge as a key contributor to Albion's promotion success. The former bricklayer has had a burning ambition to earn a regular starting berth at Albion, but his appearances have been limited this season. Horsfield's departure will not go through until Kanu and Diomansy Kamara return from the African Nations Cup.

26th January The Blades have made their second signing of the week. Striker Bruce Dyer, has agreed a deal until the end of the season after signing on a free transfer from Stoke City. Neil Warnock commented: "The last 24 hours have been hectic, both lads have passed their medicals and agreed personal terms - they will now play apart in where we want to go. It will be hard to play against either of these players and they are looking forward to the challenge. Hopefully I might be able to sign one or two more players - one possibly before the end of the transfer window and another on loan."

25th January United have agreed a deal with Burnley to sign striker Ade Akinbiyi. The 31-year-old has scored 14 goals for the Clarets this season and was the subject of two rejected bids from the Blades last week. However, both clubs have now agreed a fee believed to be in the region of 1.75 million. The former Wolves, Leicester and Crystal Palace striker has been a big hit at Turf Moor, and moved there from Stoke in a 600,000 deal just under a year ago. A statement from Burnley confirmed: "The clubs have agreed on a potentially record-breaking transfer fee for the 31-year-old, who is now in talks with the Bramall Lane outfit."

21st January Sheffield United 3 Brighton & Hove Albion 1 (Attendance: 27,514)
Line-up: Kenny, Bromby, Short, Unsworth (Quinn 82), Geary, Jagielka, Ifill, Tonge, Armstrong, Shipperley (Deane 81), Kabba (Flitcroft 88).
Subs Not Used: Morgan, Montgomery.
Booked: Geary 57.
Scorers: Jagielka 53, Ifill 64, Tonge 75.
Man of The Match: Michael Tonge.

The Blades kept the pressure on Reading at the top of the Championship, with a comfortable victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. The Seagulls arrived at the Lane with one thing in mind – mass defence. And it took 53 minutes for United to break through the stubborn defending. United made two changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Ipswich last weekend. Steven Kabba replaced the injured Danny Webber, while in defence Craig Short made his first start for a month in place of captain Chris Morgan. Both, Brian Deane and Garry Flitcroft were among the Blades substitutes. Mark McGhee named the same side that beat Leeds last weekend. New signing Wayne Henderson was on the bench with Joe Gatting also among the Brighton substitutes. On four minutes, the Seagulls worked the first sight of goal when Sebastien Carole beat David Unsworth to cross for Gary Hart but his finishing was poor. After 16 minutes, Unsworth’s free-kick found Kabba who just missed the near post. Ten minutes later, Kabba shot at Michel Kuipers and the Brighton goalkeeper parried before Paul Ifill’s left-foot effort went across the goal and just wide. United continued the pressure as they kicked towards the Shoreham Kop with Michael Tonge the inspiration for the rest, but for all the pressure United could not trouble Brighton in the six yard box. Then, a long Leigh Bromby throw found Phil Jagielka but his header was comfortable for Kuipers. The game had become scrappy and disjointed and the referee was half spoiling the match with an obsession with drop balls and petty stoppages which was all compounding to break the game up. After 52 minutes the Blades finally found an opener. Brighton defender Paul Reid allowed Chris Armstrong too much space on the left, he cut in from the touchline and his cross was met by Jagielka who swept the ball past Kuipers with aplomb. Albion might have felt they still had a chance at 1-0, but ten minutes later United added a second. Brighton defender Joel Lynch found himself under intense pressure and the youngster was dispossessed by Ifill, who raced into the penalty area and beat the Seagulls keeper with a clinical finish. Brightons' inevitable response at this stage was to finally become more adventurous and they tried to push forward more. But United were not finished yet and with the Seagulls pushing up field and exposed at the back, Kabba sent Tonge clear through for the midfielder to slot coolly past Kuipers. With 10 minutes remaining, Brain Deane entered the fray and was greeted by an enormous cheer from the majority of the 27514 crowd. For a time Albion looked more dangerous after Colin Kazim-Richards' arrival as a substitue. And his arrival along with that of teenager striker Joe Gatting, also on as a sub, flicked on for Hart, who laid the ball into Kazim-Richards' path. The striker made a perfect connection on the run, giving Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny no chance to score for the Seagulls. United might have got another in the closing moments, but Kuipers made up for his earlier indiscretion with a stunning save to keep out a Deane header in injury time.

20th January Garry Flitcroft and Brian Deane will be hoping to make their United debuts when Brighton visit the Lane. Flitcroft was an unused substitute in last week's draw at Ipswich, while Deane scored twice in a reserve fixture in midweek. Defender Craig Short has been struggling recently with a calf strain but is also expected to be included the squad. Striker Danny Webber is out with a hamstring tear sustained at Portman Road and winger Keith Gillespie remains sidelined with a bruised knee. Steven Kabba will be hoping to start alongside Neil Shipperley in the Blades attack. For Brighton; Wayne Henderson will go straight into the squad after completing his permanent move from Aston Villa. The 22-year-old Goalkeeper will have to battle it out with Michel Kuipers for the number one jersey after the Dutchman's fine display in the win over Leeds last week. Another new signing, midfielder Dean Loft, could make the bench alongside prolific youth-team striker Joe Gatting, who is in line for a first-team call-up. Charlie Oatway, Alexis Nicolas and Jason Dodd remain long-term absentees but Chris McPhee has returned to training.

19th JanuaryStriker Paul Shaw has been released from his contract at Bramall Lane, and has now joined Rotherham United until the end of the season. Neil Warnock commented: "We are disappointed to see him go and that it hasn't worked out for him. I've had no problems working with him and I'm sure he will do well for Rotherham in their situation. I could have held him back a few days because we will be short up front this weekend but it wouldn't have been fair to Paul." Shaw, 32, played 40 matches for United scoreing 8 goals. Blades fans with him all the best at Rotherham.

19th January Neil Warnock has said he is not aware of United making a second bid for Burnley striker Ade Akinbiyi. The Blades had an undisclosed bid rejected by the Clarets chairman earlier this week and it was thought that an improved offer had been made. Speeking about the situation Warnock commeneted: "I'm not aware of a second bid. We did have one in but we have other options. On Monday we should know about two other bids we have made. We have to make a decision shortly because of the end of the transfer window coming up but we will get Brighton out of the way and then look into it. I'm confident I can get someone in but I always am.

18th JanuaryThe Blades had an undisclosed offer for Burnley striker Ade Akinbiyi turned down yesterday but United boss Neil Warnock has immediately come back with another offer for a player he has tried to sign several times in the past. Akinbiyi actually turned down the chance to join the Blades when he made the move from Stoke to Turf Moor in February last year. But it seems Warnock, who has also been rebuffed in attempts to sign Cardiff's Cameron Jerome, is determined to get the 14-goal forward. Clarets chairman Barry Kilby said: "Sheffield United made an offer for Ade that we have turned down. I don't want to talk figures, but they didn't meet our valuation of the player."

17th January A scan has revealed that Danny Webber is definitely out of Neil Warnock's plans for the immediate future. The Blades striker pulled up in the final minutes after pulling his hamstring stretching for a pass. Initial fears at the time that he would struggle for a quick return have been confirmed although things could have been far worse if he had badly torn the muscle. Neil Warnock commented: It has revealed a slight tear and Danny will be out for between two and four weeks, depending on how quickly it heals."

14th January Ipswich Town 1 Sheffield United 1 (Attendance: 23,794)
Line-up: Kenny, Geary, Bromby, Morgan, Unsworth, Ifill (Kabba 64), Tonge, Jagielka, Armstrong (Quinn 76), Shipperley, Webber (Montgomery 83).
Subs Not Used: Kozluk, Flitcroft.
Booked: Morgan, Geary.
Scorer: Webber 77.
Man of The Match: Michael Tonge.

A goal from Danny Webber just 13 minutes from time, gave United a precious point in a pulsating match at Portman Road. Jimmy Juan gave Ipswich the lead with a free-kick from 25 yards, but Blades left with a draw after Webber's vital late equaliser. The Blades made wholesale changes from last weekend, with Paddy Kenny, Derek Geary, Leigh Bromby, David Unsworth, Paul Ifill, Chris Armstrong, Neil Shipperley and Danny Webber all returning to the starting line-up. Alan Lee was handed his Ipswich debut, with Darren Currie supporting him in attack, with Danny Haynes dropping to the bench. Chris Morgan impeded Lee early on, and Currie's free-kick was cleared by Bromby for a corner. From the resulting corner Jason De Vos should have done better as Blades goalkeeper Kenny smothered the ball amid a flurry of feet. After 10 minutes, Geary and Ifill combined well for Webber, but his low cross eluded Shipperley in the six yard box, while at the other end Scott Barron hooked a cross just wide of Kenny's goal. Moments later, Lee spun away from Morgan and crossed for Ian Westlake before Bromby stuck out his foot to clear. Then, Phil Jagielka wasted a cross after finding space on the left side of the box, followed by Ifill whose shot was cleared off the line by Canadian defender De Vos. Gavin Williams was then in the right place to clear from inside the six yard box as United pressed, with a Unsworth’s corner clawed off the line by Ipswich goalkeeper Shane Supple. After 32 minutes, some excellent play between Webber and Michael Tonge ended with Unsworth testing Supple with a rasping drive from 25 yards, the Irish keeper tipping his shot over the bar. Just before the interval, Lees header found Westlake and his overhead kick was saved by Kenny. At the start of the second half, Ipswich midfielder Currie flashed a shot straight at Kenny from 25 yards. The opener came after 54 minutes. Jagielka was penalised for a foul on Westlake - who was replaced by Haynes, and from the free-kick, Jimmy Juan curled an unstoppable free-kick into the top right corner, giving Kenny no chance. The Blades then made a substitution as Steven Kabba replaced Ifill. Ipswich, now in the ascendancy after the goal, and with the backing of the boisterous home support they continued to test United. Midfielder Owen Garvan's cross was cleared by Bromby, then Currie fired at Kenny from distance as the Blues’ looked for a second goal. Haynes squandered an opportunity after taking advantage of a missed header and going in on goal, but the midfield man rushed his shot wide of Kenny's goal. But as we all know... The Blades never say die, and started to look for a way back. First, Shipperley headed over from Tonge's cross, before the Blades midfielder set up the equilser; his through ball finding Webber who evaded Supple and then drilled into the ball into the net despite the desperate attempts of two defenders on the line. At 1-1, the Blades were always going to protect their point and Kenny pulled off a brave save as he punched away his clearance with Lee charging in on a free-kick. Moments later, Unsworth's timely challenge on Haynes was just as crucial to keep the contest alive. United were then hit with a worrying blow as Webber pulled up and then limped off with a hamstring injury. And in the final few minutes, proceeding were become even more desperate and frantic as both teams cleared their lines with scrappy play and with chances few and far between. But in the last moments the United had a game winning opportunity, after some quick thinking from Blades keeper Kenny. He caught Currie's free-kick, launched the ball downfield for Kabba who broke free and onto goal, but the Blades striker fired his shot just past the far post. So, it ended 1-1 and this must go down as one of the best performance of the season. There’s no harder place to visit that Portman Road and United will be more than satisfied today with just the one point.

13th January Neil Warnock is expected to make a number of changes from the side which faced Colchester United in the FA Cup. Paddy Kenny, David Unsworth, Leigh Bromby, Danny Webber and Neil Shipperley are all expected to return to the starting eleven. New signing Gary Flitcroft could also feature in the match. For Ipswich; Alan Lee will make his debut, Dean Bowditch returns to the squad after recovering from a knee injury. The Tractor Boys will be without strikers Nicky Forster, Adam Proudlock and Sam Parkin, who are all suffering with injury problems.

13th January Neil Warnock has refused to increase his bid for Cardiff City striker Cameron Jerome, insisting the Bluebirds won't get a better offer. United made an initial 1.5M pounds bid for the England under-21 star - who has scored 14 goals so far this season - with a further 500,000 to be added on if the Blades get promoted this season. However, that bid was rejected and Bluebirds chairman Sam Hammam said he believed the player was worth 3.5million. Hammam then accused United of being a "small" club lacking the resources to sign Jerome. Warnock confirmed that United were now persuing other avenues, he commented that he would be maintaining an interest in the stiker. "Jealousy sometimes makes people say strange things," the United manager said after learning Hammam values Jerome in the 3.5M bracket. "If Sam sticks to that then in my opinion Cameron may has well sign a 10 year contract there because he won't ever be leaving, he'll be going nowhere. "Sam may have a history of hiking up prices when he was at Wimbledon, but it's not going to happen now". He continied "We were led to believe that it was a good offer, but Sam's rejected it and said he's worth more. They won't get more than we have offered. I don't think any Premiership club will be coming in with the sort of offer they want. I can only assume that Cameron will be playing at Cardiff City for many years to come."

12th January Lilian Nalis has been being released by Sheffield United. The French midfielder joined the Blades in the summer on a free transfer from Leicester City but he played little part in the team's rise to the top of the Championship. The 34-year-old appeared in the first three games but was unable to reclaim his place in the side after being ruled out by injury and spent a period on loan at Coventry. Blades boss Neil Warnock commented: "We have agreed to release Lilian for no fee in order that he is free to sign for, we believe, Plymouth Argyle. "With today's signing of Garry Flitcroft we feel his chances of playing will become more limited. "It hasn't worked out for him but only because of the injury and then the form of Phil Jagielka and Nick Montgomery. We wish him well and thank him for his efforts."

11th January Nick Montgomery has ended speculation about his future by committing himself to the Blades with a two-year extension to his contract which takes him through to June 2009. Montgomery has been a revelation after being put on the transfer list in the summer and has helped Neil Warnock's side to second in the table. Blades boss Warnock said: "I am absolutely delighted that Nick has decided that his future lies with us. He has played a major part in what we have achieved so far this season, as he has in previous ones. Although he knows that competition for places will continue to be tough, he is willing to accept the challenge and I'm sure Unitedites who recognise Nick's consistent 100% efforts for us will be equally pleased that he's staying."

10th January Neil Warnock has warned Cardiff he will not pay over-the-odds for striker Cameron Jerome. The Blades have reportedly upped their bid for the highly-rated 19-year-old to 2M - and offer that City appear to be considering. Warnock said: "Dave Jones (Cardiff manager) has made it plain - from what I read in the papers - that he won't entertain anything under 3m. That's way above what you will ever get for a lad of that experience. "No Premier League club will pay that. I don't think anyone will pay more than what we consider to be his valuation."

9th January Garry Flitcroft could join United on a free transfer this week as Neil Warnock seeks to boost his side's promotion bid. The 33-year-old midfielder has been with Blackburn since 1996 making well over 200 appearances. However, he has been restricted to just two this season and may be tempted by a drop down to the Championship. Warnock has also launched a new bid for Cardiff striker Cameron Jerome after having a 2M pounds bid turned down last week.

9th January Rotherham United have signed Blades striker Jonathan Forte on a month's loan. The 19-year-old has spent a loan spell at Doncaster Rovers earlier this season where he netted four goals in 13 appearances.

8th January Neil Warnock refused to apologise for fielding a weakened team for his side's FA Cup defeat to Colchester United. Steven Kabba gave the Blades an early lead at the Lane but Neil Danns and Gareth Williams won it for the League One side. "If I'm honest, I'm glad there's not a replay," Warnock admitted, before insisting he would have fielded the same XI even if they were playing Manchester United. "It would be very close to that, yes. I don't think anybody didn't try. A good start, and we had another certain penalty not given."

7th January Sheffield United 1 Colchester United 2 (Attendance: 11,820)
Line-up: Barnes, Morgan, Jagielka, Kozluk, Armstrong, Ifill (Haidong 65), Quinn (Forte 61), Nalis, Tonge, Kabba (Montgomery 78), Gillespie.
Subs Not Used: Wright, Geary.
Booked: Tonge 89.
Scorer: Kabba 4.
Man of The Match: Michael Tonge.

Gareth Williams came off the bench to score his first goal for almost a year as The Blades were knocked out of the FA Cup by lower league opponents for the first time in two decades. Williams only found himself on the pitch after Richard Garcia was forced off the field with a hamstring injury but he completed a remarkable but fully deserved comeback for the U’s after Neil Danns' goal cancelled out Steven Kabba's early strike. By resting half his outfield line-up, Blades boss Neil Warnock gave his in-form League One opponents real hope of an upset. Warnock had said prior to the game that the League was his priority and it showed on the pitch throughout the match. Colcheser on the other hand; had the backing of a noisy and excited crowd of traveling fans. The first five minutes of the game deceived, United totally dominated with Colchester looking nervous from the off. And United’s dominance paid dividends as Michael Tonge cut inside onto his left foot, and unleashed a shot Aidan Davison could only parry straight to Paul Ifill. He smashed the rebound against the crossbar, but again it fell kindly, this time to Kabba, who kept his cool to net his 10th goal of the season. The Blades were denied a penalty when Karl Duguid tripped Kabba; the referee deeming the full-back's tackle clean. Colchester were close to an equaliser when Mark Yeates shot was deflected to Richard Garcia, but the striker was unable to lob Blades goalkeeper Phil Barnes from close range. Much of the play was in the direction of the Blades goal and, when Greg Halford dropped a header into the danger area on the half hour mark, Chris Iwelumo dragged his shot wide from around eight yards out. And, as the Blades resumed play from that effort, Yeates ran forty yards up the pitch before drilling in an effort that was deflected over the bar. Colchester got the goal their efforts had deserved with 34 minutes on the clock. Halford thrust the ball into the box and as it dropped in the six yard box, Garcia and two Blades defenders contested it on the ground. The Australian eventually poked the ball wide to the unmarked Danns, who had no problems in slotting home from six yards out. The U's carried on where they left off and Iwelumo broke down the right to send over a low cross that required good defending to clear under pressure from Garcia. Again, the resulting Halford throw caused problems but this time the ball fell to Wayne Brown rather than a U's forward and he hooked his effort over the bar, under more uncertain defending, which continued right up to the half-time whistle as Colchester went in genuinely unfortunate not to be ahead. The Blades started the second half more brightly and had the U's on the back foot without ever really testing Davison in the U’s goal. After 52 minutes Colchester made a change, Gareth Williams replacing Garcia who had pulled an hamstring. One player who was standing out for the Blades was midfielder Tonge , and after 50 minutes he made a brilliant run from 50-yard run beating two defenders and ended with a shot which Davison palmed just beyond the reach of the lurking Ifill. Some sloppy play in the U’s midfield saw the Blades break through again, and Gillespie shot from just inside the box was well saved by Davison. United introduced Jonathan Forte and Hao Haidong. But the move backfired when Forte was briefly forced to leave the field after suffering one of several blows to the face from Colchester defenders and the visitors took full advantage. Danns broke forward with the ball, shifted the ball and hit a shot that Barnes tipped over the bar. From the corner, the ball was taken short to Yeates and his cross was powered into the net by the head of Williams and he duly celebrated in front of the massed Colchester ranks at the Bramall Lane end. Frustrations were rising amongst many Blades fans who were feeling short changed this afternoon as United struggled to find a way through the U's back line. Armstrong came close to a late equaliser with a free-kick well held by Davison, but the U’s comfortably saw out the closing moments to become the first lower league side to knock the Blades out of the FA Cup since then Third Division Derby in 1986.

6th January Neil Warnock is expected to rest Phil Jagielka, Nick Montgomery, Leigh Bromby, Paddy Kenny, David Unsworth and Neil Shipperley. But, Jonathan Forte, Ian Ross, Phil Barnes, Alan Wright and Paul Shaw are all expected to feature in the match. Colchester welcome back highly-rated midfielder Greg Halford who returns from a one-match ban. Liam Chilvers will miss the FA Cup third round tie at the Lane having picked up his fifth booking at Brentford in the 2-0 win in League One. Pat Baldwin or Garry Richards look set to replace Chilvers and play alongside Wayne Brown in the heart of the U's defence.

6th January Steven Kabba has agreed to sign a new contract with United to keep him at Bramall Lane until 2008. The Blades striker had reportedly expressed a desire to leave after failing to agree a contract last summer. But following discussions with manager Neil Warnock and the club's board he has agreed to stay with the club, who stand second in the Championship. Kabba will sign the contract early next week and Warnock commented: "Steven was disappointed with certain media coverage stating that he wanted to leave the club and that was never the case. I spoke to him on Thursday and then at the board meeting we agreed to compromise. He has a two-and-a-half-year deal within our wage structure."

6th January The Blades have had a bid for Scottish international striker Kenny Miller rejected. United's Football Executive, Terry Robinson, has confirmed that the club tabled 1.5M for Miller but Wolves have turned down the offer. Miller, 26, has scored 11 goals for Wolves this season. His current contract at Molineux expires in the summer and he recently turned down the offer of an extended deal with the club. Neil Warnock has been linked with several possible signings including Michael Brown at Tottenham Hotspur. And with United in second spot in the Championship and well placed for promotion, a move back to Yorkshire may well be tempting for Brown as he would be guaranteed a starting place and most probably a swift return to the top flight. United are also reckoned to be in the hunt for one of the Championship's hottest prospects; 19-year-old Cameron Jerome of Cardiff City, although a bid in excess of 2.5M is probably the starting price for the England Under-21 Internalional striker. Another name mentioned is striker Geoff Horsfield of West Bromwich Albion.

3rd January Hull City 1 Sheffield United 3 (Attendance: 21,929)
Line-up: Kenny, Geary, Bromby, Morgan, Unsworth, Ifill (Gillespie 76), Jagielka, Tonge (Montgomery 80), Armstrong, Shipperley, Webber.
Subs Not Used: Kozluk, Quinn, Kabba.
Booked: Unsworth 26, Webber 90.
Scorers: Ifill 31, Webber 45, Armstrong 52.
Man of The Match: Danny Webber.

The Blades continued their winning ways as they came from a goal behind to beat Hull City 3-1 at the KC Stadium. Goals by Paul Ifill and Danny Webber before the interval and another shortly after from Chris Armstrong saw United assume a control they were never to lose. Ifill, Armstrong and Michael Tonge got a start-up call for the Blades as Neil Warnock rested some of his more established starters. For Hull City; Ryan France and Nick Barmby returned to the starting eleven. Webber and Armstrong combined well to force the opening corner-kick which was squandered by Neil Shipperley when he seized on David Unsworth's left sided delivery and half-volleyed wide. The Tigers registered their first effort on goal in the 11th minute when France delivered a deep cross to Stuart Elliott who produced a looping header that was on target, but easily claimed by Blades goalkeeper Paddy Kenny. A minute later the action switched to the other end when a long Leigh Bromby throw found Tonge who produced a stinging volley that Boaz Myhill did well to beat away. Hull them began to pile the pressure on and they forced two corners in succession. From the second, taken by Andy Dawson, Elliott saw a powerful header flash wide. Jason Price then found Billy Paynter as he switched play from right to left. The Hull striker took the ball down in the box but just as he was about to shoot Derek Geary got back to clear the ball behind. In the 20th minute, Barmby latched onto his own flick and attempted a lob over Kenny, but the United keeper somehow tipped the ball over the bar. Three minutes later, Hull took the lead. As the ball ricocheted about on the edge of the box it fell to Price who curled a left-footed shot beyond Kenny and into the top corner of the net. The Tigers continued to pour forward and Price looked to be in with a chance of a second on 26 minutes until he was dragged back by Unsworth. The Blades defender was booked for the foul, and from the resulting free kick taken by Dawson, Kenny was forced to tip the ball over once again. United were being pinned back and as the crosses peppered in, but on the half hour they found an equilser. Ifill cut back into the box from the left and hit a shot which deflected off Sam Collins, wrong-footing Myhill, and finding the far corner of the net. The Blades were now on top and moments later Bromby saw his effort blocked on the line after Myhill had dropped an Unsworth free kick. Hull looked to come back at the Blades and Leon Cort almost put his side back in front with a powerful drive which Kenny deflected onto the post. As the first half headed towards added time, United scored a second in controversial circumstances. Price went down under Unsworth's challenge deep in the Blades half but the referee saw no infringement and allowed the Blades defender to send a perfect pass to Webber. The Blades striker then beat two defenders in his typical teasing style, before firing a low shot beyond Myhill and into the far corner. And with seconds remaining Webber almost scored again, but the Tiger’s keeper this time tipped his powerful effort wide. United continued to look dangerous at the start of the second half, and almost extended their lead on 47 minutes, as Armstrong forced Myhill to push his shot wide. From the corner, the ball dropped to Phil Jagielka who struck the post with a right foot shot. Five minutes later the Blades did make it 3-1. Webber held the ball up well on the left before picking out Armstrong who drilled a low shot past Myhill. Hull almost found a way back into the game on 58 minutes when a cross from the right found Barmby. His header was poor and looked to be going wide before Elliott managed to hammer the ball back across goal but Price couldn't get a good enough contact and United cleared. After 62 minutes, Hull made a double substitution, Curtis Woodhouse and Stuart Green replacing Keith Andrews and Elliott. Then, United went close through a Shipperley header before Hull made their final change on 72 minutes as Kevin Ellison came on for Price. The Blades made a couple of late changes as Keith Gillespie replaced Ifill and Montgomery replaced Tonge. Hull tried to look for a way back into the game in the final 10 minutes but United stood firm. In the closing moments, Jagielka flashed a header over from Unsworth's corner before Webber managed to get himself unnecessarily booked in added time after an altercation with Barmby. So, another outstanding victory for the Blades who are now 11 points clear of third placed Leeds.

2nd January 2006 Neil Warnock could bring some fresh faces into his side for the match at Hull City tomorrow night. Warnock described his team as "running on empty" following the 2-1 victory over Stoke on New Year's Eve and may therefore decide to shuffle his pack. Michael Tonge, Paul Ifill, Keith Gillespie and Paul Shaw were all substitutes against the Potters and some of the them could be handed starting places at the KC Stadium. Craig Short remains sidelined due to his calf injury. Hull City will be without striker Craig Fagan. The 23-year-old damaged ankle ligaments in the 2-0 New Year's Eve defeat at Leeds and he will miss the match. Roland Edge still sidelined with a groin strain. Ian Ashbee, strikers Ben Burgess and Steve McPhee and defenders Alton Thelwell and Danny Coles all remain long-term absentees.