In a mediocre game devoid of any real quality or magic, it was usually a moment of fortune that settled it when Josh Tymon’s cross deflected John Egan past Wes Foderingham for what turned out to be the winner.
United, missing all of their senior strikers, gave teenager Daniel Jebbison a first Championship start while fellow countryman Will Osula replaced him later on the bench.
Jebbison had probably United’s best second-half goal chance, while Morgan Gibbs-White and substitute Ben Osborn also had good chances on an afternoon to forget for the Blades in Staffordshire.
Here’s how we rated the Blades players in the loss to Stoke.
Could do absolutely nothing for Stoke’s goal and was otherwise quiet save for a few routine saves and crosses. But that was helped by Maja’s profligacy as he missed good chances
Photo: Andrew Yates
Returning to the squad after his recent injury absence, Baldock offered United a more natural balance down the right and was denied a penalty appeal late in the game, much to his obvious frustration. Then, as United worked on a late steam header, he fired an offside cross for the final kick of the game.
Photo: Paul Terry
One of four changes after returning from injury, Davies produced a superb defense from deep to prevent Wright-Phillips from opening the scoring at the far post in the second half.
Photo: Andrew Yates
The unlucky scorer of an own goal as Tymon’s cross deflected it past Foderingham to put the hosts ahead. Otherwise solid, advancing with the ball into midfield and picking up where he left off with his country during the break
Photo: Simon Bellis