Will Sheffield United Feature A Strong Lineup Against Mansfield? | OneFootball

Sheffield United will face Mansfield Town in the FA Cup third round on Sunday afternoon, a fixture that may have arrived at an ideal moment in the Blades’ season.

With a hectic festive schedule now behind them, this cup tie offers Chris Wilder the opportunity to rotate his squad, hand minutes to fringe players and youngsters, and crucially give some of his key starters a much-needed rest.

The game also comes after an unexpected pause in United’s campaign. Last Sunday’s scheduled home match against Oxford United was postponed just a couple of hours before kick-off due to a frozen pitch, one of several fixtures across South Yorkshire to fall victim to the weather.

While frustrating at the time, the postponement may ultimately prove beneficial. United’s squad had looked stretched to its limits across the festive period, both physically and mentally, and the extra recovery time could help them reset ahead of a demanding second half of the season.

Mansfield Clash Provides Sheffield United A Chance to Rest Key Players

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 29: Thomas Cannon of Sheffield United celebrates with Tyrese Campbell and Japhet Tanganga after he scores their second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Stoke City and Sheffield United at Bet365 Stadium on December 29, 2025 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Nowhere has that strain been more evident than in midfield. Injuries have significantly reduced Wilder’s options, with Jairo Riedewald, Djibril Soumaré and Oliver Arblaster forced to shoulder the bulk of the workload. Meanwhile, Tom Davies, Sydie Peck and Jamie Shackleton have all spent time in the treatment room, limiting United’s ability to rotate and manage minutes effectively.

An FA Cup tie against lower-league opposition provides a chance to ease that burden, whether by resting one or two regulars or allowing players returning from injury to build match sharpness.

The right-back position is another area of concern. Femi Seriki has enjoyed an outstanding season and has been one of United’s most consistent performers, but his importance has also highlighted a lack of depth.

As the only recognised right-back in the squad, Seriki has played virtually every minute for several weeks, a situation that inevitably raises concerns over fatigue and injury. Sunday’s match could present an opportunity to experiment  or reshuffle the back line to protect a player who will be vital in the months ahead.

With the January transfer window now open, United are expected to explore the market for additional cover at right-back, ensuring Seriki is not left overexposed during the run-in. Meanwhile, the Blades are reportedly actively looking to add depth to the midfield with Birmingham City’s Marc Leonard linked with a move to S2 after being deemed surplus to requirements.

Go Strong or Rotate?

These early cup ties almost always cause division amongst supporters because of one question: do you field a strong side, or do you give periphery players and youngsters a chance to impress?

With the momentum that Sheffield United currently have behind them I think it would do them more harm than good to actually field key players just in case of any injuries. Plus, with United supposedly looking to move on the likes of Alex Matos, Ehije Success Ukaki etc, a decent performance from these type of players would put them firmly in the shop window.