United's youngsters recorded a second successive draw with Premiership opposition.
At Portsmouth on Saturday morning, Kevin Fogg's U18s fought back from a goal down and more than held their own against Pompey in the FA Premier Academy League.
Trailing 1-0 at the break and with goalkeeper Adam Billard and Nathaniel Foster on top of their game, the Blades were in fine form, particularly after the interval.
Shane Murray had an effort kicked off the line just after the hour and Foster had a penalty saved on 74 minutes before the deserved leveller arrived with just five minutes remaining. Jordan Chappell's cross was delivered into the danger area and midfielder Liam WILKINSON converted at the back post.
It was United's second consecutive 1-1 draw at the start of the league season following the stalemate with Arsenal the previous weekend.
Coach Kevin Fogg was encouraged by the performance, saying: "We had to make personnel changes due to injuries, we shuffled the pack and Portsmouth scored after about six minutes which made our task even harder.
"They were probably the better team in the first half but I was delighted with the spirit of our side, we continued to play and in the second half we got at them and created plenty of chances. Our goal may have come late on but it was the least we deserved.
"It was a long journey for our young squad and a satisfying result but I must compliment goalkeeper, Adam Billard, who is adding maturity and composure to his game, as well as making impportant saves."
Blades: Billard, O'Kane, Roe, Williams, Brown, Foster, Lammy, Murray (Ahmadi 75), Gregory (Pennycooke-Morgan 73), Wilkinson, Chappell. Unused: Andrew.
