United's depleted squad was exposed at Glanford Park on Saturday lunchtime.

The Blades are now without a win in four matches after two goals from Grant McCann and one from Paul Hayes secured the victory for Scunthorpe, who repeated their home victory over United two years ago.

Ched Evans netted but despite pushing the Iron back for long periods, the Blades were unable to return from the international break with a victory.

With injuries causing headaches, Blackwell was forced into two changes - Kilgallon and Harper replacing Montgomery and Cresswell - whilst the manager also opted for a few positional changes, which were quickly evident. The formation was 4-4-2 at the start but with Davies at right-back, Walker further forward on the right flank and Little switching to the left. Scunthorpe had two Sheffield-born players in their squad - Mirfin started but Forte was amongst the substitutes. The Blades could only name six replacements.

In the tight confines of Glanford Park, the opening exchanges were unsurprisingly rushed with little room for manoeuvre. Both sides created just one chance apiece in the first ten minutes, Togwell's effort was headed out by Kilgallon and Quinn's volley, following a Little free-kick, was blocked.

The Blades were starting to get a little foothold in the game and good work from Walker set up a chance for Evans but the striker was unable to get a shot away. On 15 minutes a free-flowing move saw Kilgallon appear on the left-wing, deliver a deep cross for Davies to win his header but the ball was cleared from the six-yard box by Jones and Harper, gobbling up the rebound, saw his shot deflected into the grateful arms of Murphy.

More impressive wing work by Walker, getting the better of Williams, resulted in a shot from Little being blocked and the follow up from Harper being deflected wide.

United were on top but Morgan survived a penalty appeal from Hooper before the home side took the lead on 23 minutes. A harmless-looking throw saw McCANN receive the ball 25 yards out and he was given the time to line up a half-volley which dipped over the shoulder of Bunn and into the top corner.

A second almost followed just five minutes later when a move stretching from right to left, involving Hayes, O'Connor and McCann, saw Williams presented with a sight of goal but he fired well over.

Bookings for Quinn and O'Connor were for comparable fouls in the space of a minute but United looked the stronger before the break, without forcing Murphy into a save. A Davies cross resulted in a diving header from Evans flying wide, Henderson was crowded out of a shooting opportunity and then Little curled just over after coming inside.

There was a stirring start to the second period, especially after McCann fired wide in the first minute. United were quickly back on the offensive and a ball through the middle of the defence saw Mirfin upend Evans right on the edge of the box. A yellow card awaited the defender and from the resulting free-kick Quinn laid off for EVANS to fire through a crowded penalty into the corner of the net.

Scunthorpe, however, regained the lead with their next attack, within two minutes of the leveller. Confusion between Bunn and Kilgallon presented the home side with a throw and after a quick re-start, Hooper headed down for HAYES to hammer past the Blades goalkeeper.

Worse was to follow as the Iron extended their lead with the very next move. Hooper came out on top in a challenge with Kilgallon and after laying off, Wright's shot hit Bunn's right post before McCANN converted the rebound.

Blackwell used all three of his substitutions within the space of ten minutes after the third Scunthorpe goal but United were struggling to penetrate the home defence. A Treacy shot was headed away and the Blades could have faced a penalty when Davies clashed with Hooper.

The pressure in the last 15 minutes was coming from United but chances were still at a premium. A diving header from Davies was saved by Murphy, whilst the final chance of the game, on a miserable day, also went to the home side but Woolford's header was saved by Bunn.

Scunthorpe: Murphy, Williams, Togwell, Byrne, McCann (Woolford 77), Hayes, Hooper (Forte 83), Jones, Mirfin, O'Connor (Thompson 90), J. Wright.

Blades: Bunn, Morgan, Kilgallon (Reid 61), Henderson, Evans, Harper, Stewart (Taylor 70), Davies, Little (Treacy 63), Quinn, Walker.
Unused: France, Bennett, Fortune.