Sheffield United vs Manchester United Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News

The Premier League's bottom side Sheffield United host Manchester United on Thursday evening, as the home team look to add to their dire one point from the opening 12 games.

Chris Wilder's side have looked a shadow of the team that finished ninth last season, with loss after loss piling on the pressure. Their most recent outing saw the Blades smashed 3-0 by Southampton.

On the other hand, for all the negative attention they've received so far this term, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's United can jump above Chelsea and narrow down the gap to the top four with a win.

Where to Watch

When Is Kick Off? Thursday 17 December
What Time Is Kick Off? 20:00 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? Bramall Lane
TV Channel/Live Stream? Amazon Prime (UK), fuboTV (US)
Referee? Michael Oliver

Team News

Wilder's side remain without long term absentee Jack O'Connell, who is sidelined with a knee injury. Oli McBurnie is also a doubt after picking up a shoulder knock before being subbed off early in the second half against Southampton.

This will be a worry for goal-shy Sheffield, as the Blades have only managed a league low tally of five goals, of which McBurnie has scored one.

United also have a rather empty physio room, with only Marcus Rojo and Edinson Cavani marked as doubts. Uruguayan striker Cavani has been pictured training with the Red Devils squad in the buildup to Thursday's game.

Predicted Lineups

Sheffield United: Ramsdale; Baldock, Basham, Egan, Jagielka, Stevens; Berge, Ampadu, Fleck; McGoldrick, Sharp.

Manchester United: Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw; McTominay, Pogba, Fernandes; Greenwood, Martial, Rashford.

Recent Form

Sheffield United are in serious danger of being cast adrift at the bottom of the league, already sitting a daunting eight points from safety.

The signs already look ominous, as no team has ever started a Premier League season as poorly and managed to stay up. Their winless run currently stands at 15 matches stretching back into last season.

Additionally, their water-tight defence from last year has long gone, conceding the league's third highest tally of 21 goals so far.

That defensive record makes facing Solskjaer's United an even more daunting prospect. With no other team picking up as many points in the last five games, United are one of the league's in-form teams.

The 0-0 stalemate against City at the weekend could prove to be an important point by the end of the season, even if the lack of ambition showed by both teams was disappointing, while wins against West Ham and Southampton have been encouraging if not a tad frenetic.

Here's how they've both got on in their last five games in all competitions.

Sheffield United

Southampton 3-0 Sheffield United (13/12)
Sheffield United 1-2 Leicester City (6/12)
West Brom 1-0 Sheffield United (28/11)
Sheffield United 0-1 West Ham (22/11)
Chelsea 4-1 Sheffield United (7/11)

Manchester United

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City (12/12)
RB Leipzig 3-2 Manchester United (8/12)
West Ham 1-3 Manchester United (5/12)
Manchester United 1-3 PSG (2/12)
Southampton 2-3 Manchester United (29/11)

Prediction

The high flying Reds should have far too much for Sheffield United. The ultimate case of second season syndrome seems to have taken hold at Bramall Lane and on paper this game shouldn't prove too difficult for the visitors.

That said, United often shoot themselves in the foot, so don't be surprised if they have to dig themselves out of a hole before picking up the win.

Prediction: Sheffield United 0-3 Manchester United