Sheffield United’s hopes of achieving automatic promotion have taken a major blow in recent weeks, surrendering ground to Leeds United and Burnley in the Championship table.
Ibrahim Cissoko, on loan from SWFC, might replace Musaba in the starting XI.
At the top of the pitch, Ike Ugbo may earn his long-awaited first goal of the season right away. However, Michael Smith, Charlie McNeill, Jamal Lowe, and Callum Paterson are also choices.
Chris Wilder lost his cool at full-time when he confronted some of the Plymouth players in the tunnel after Miron Muslic prophesied his team’s victory before kick-off.
The FA has since charged Sheffield United for the sixth time this season in response to those terrible events, and they must forget about that game as they visit Cardiff City this weekend.
Wilder’s men go into the match against the relegation battlers knowing that anything less than three points will kill their slim automatic promotion ambitions, and the referee has been announced.
Tony Harrington will referee Sheffield United vs Cardiff City
Wilder has issued a rallying cry to his players ahead of a win-or-lose game at Bramall Lane, with everything on the line for both teams.
The significance of the match cannot be overstated, and ahead of Sheffield United’s crucial game, Tony Harrington has been named referee, with Will Finnie as his fourth official.
Harrington has taken command of 11 Blades games, with a record of five wins, one draw, and five losses.
The Englishman has also issued 22 yellow cards, indicating that he does not hesitate to reach into his pocket when something controversial occurs.
That was the case when United were defeated 3-2 by Crystal Palace in January 2024, and Wilder was embroiled in yet another scandal.
Chris Wilder called Harrington ‘ridiculous’ after Crystal Palace loss
In last season’s Premier League defeat to Palace, Wilder was enraged by multiple rulings that went against his team, venting his rage at Harrington.
Following the game, the Blades manager told BBC Sport: “It’s yet another ridiculous performance from the referee.”
“I was told by a Premier League referee I’ve known for a long time and who is as truthful as the day is long.” He warned you to be prepared since any difficult decision would be against you.
“He stated every 50-50 decision will go against you. We had two bookings in the first half of the game, but they were not booked. They were just coming together.
“Their boy totally takes out our goalkeeper; we have to change goalkeepers, and the boy is not booked. He claims it was an accident, he clashed, and it makes no difference whether it is or is not an accident. It is a yellow card.
“One of his assistants was eating a sandwich at the moment, which I thought showed a complete lack of respect. Hopefully he liked his meal while speaking with a Premier League manager.
The preceding statements were genuine, however they were not warmly received by the FA, who fined him £11,500.
So, ahead of a crucial game at Bramall Lane, Wilder will hope there is less controversy around Harrington’s choices and his side secures a vital three points.
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