Sheffield United

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Sheffield United will have a "good feeling" after their 4-0 FA Cup win over League Two Gillingham, according to Aston Villa captain and Women’s FA Cup semi-finalist Rachel Corsie.

The Blades secured their fourth round spot with two braces from William Osula and James McAtee, despite sitting bottom of the Premier League after 20 games.

"It's one of those weeks where you can probably just enjoy the fact that you're preparing for something else. To get the result that they got, it's a good win and that's a good feeling," Corsie told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"It doesn't change the situation they are in, and how difficult that situation is, but it does certainly bring a bit of a lighter start to next week. It's going to be tough for them but certainly today will be a nice day."

Former Aston Villa midfielder and FA Cup runner-up Nigel Reo-Coker added: "I think it's a great distraction when you're in Sheffield United's form in the Premier League, with everything that's going on and the pressures of staying in the league, which will have been their objective from getting promoted.

"So, I always feel like the FA Cup and all of these competitions are just a great distraction from your domestic form. You know that you're not playing a game where you have to get points, it's just a one-off game.

"Maybe you can just breed a bit of confidence back into the players and play the game without any fear or worry, which is often the case in Premier League games."

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Marissa Thomas, BBC Sport

Sheffield United recorded their most comprehensive victory of the season as they thrashed League Two Gillingham.

It was the first time the two sides had met in the FA Cup and United dominated proceedings.

William Osula scored his first senior goals for the club and could have had a hat-trick before half-time as the Blades took control of the contest. At just 20, the young Dane looked confident up front and the Gills were unable to contain him.

At 2-0, Gillingham captain Max Ehmer's header crashed against the post and they were duly punished soon after when James McAtee scored twice in the space of four minutes.

United may be more concerned with retaining their Premier League status this season but a morale-boosting win is not to be sniffed at as they look forward to finding out their next opponents in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder speaking to BBC Sport: "We haven't had many wins this season so to get back to that feeling for the players was good. We need to be consistent with our performances, no matter which competition. It's different from the Premier League, we had more of the ball.

"Everyone in the media world has turned up today looking at this fixture and thought 'home win, Premier League team getting knocked out'. We had to make sure we did a job on Gillingham, and we did that.

"We have some good young players. Andre Brooks was outstanding too. It was the first experience of playing at this level [for some youngsters]. It's fabulous for them that they got through it.

"It's not Under-21s football, it's full-on. We had to endure some tricky moments. Will [Osula] to get his two goals was great."

On new loan signing Ben Brereton Diaz: "He wanted to come. That was one of the biggest things for me, I want players to want to come here.

"It's been a whirlwind week. He's been flying back and forth from Spain. To get him on the pitch was good."

Did you know?

• This was Sheffield United’s biggest away win in the FA Cup since November 1983, which was a 5-1 win at Wrexham in the first round.

Premier League side Sheffield United beat League Two Gillingham thanks to doubles from William Osula and James McAtee, as they progressed to the FA Cup fourth round.

Gillingham made a positive start to proceedings with Conor Masterson having a shot blocked after skipping past a defender in the box.

However, with 14 minutes played, the away side took control. William Osula burst into the box, driving at the Gillingham defence, before firing through the legs of goalkeeper Jake Turner for his first senior goal for the club.

Osula was on target again when he reacted quickest after Turner parried Cameron Archer's shot back into a dangerous area.

Gillingham captain Max Ehmer's header looked destined for goal late on, after beating Wes Foderingham, but it came crashing back off the post to frustrate the home support.

Minutes later, McAtee increased the lead for the Blades as he capitalised on a mix-up at the back to fire home from close range.

McAtee's swerving effort from the corner of the box rounded off the victory three minutes from time, as it turned into a comprehensive win for Chris Wilder's side.

Were you at the ground or following the match from elsewhere?

How did you rate the performance of your team, Blades fans?

Follow all the reaction here

There is less than an hour to go before Gillingham host Sheffield United in the third round of the FA Cup.

Follow all the action live here

And listen to BBC Radio 5 Live match commentary

BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton has made his predictions for all 32 ties in the FA Cup third round and given his verdict on who will make it into round four.

For this weekend's matches he is up against singer-songwriter and Liverpool fan Banners.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

The biggest problem Gillingham have is finding the net - they are the lowest scorers in League Two with only 21 goals in 25 games. Their manager Stephen Clemence is the son of Ray, who won the FA Cup twice, but I think this is the end of his run this year.

People talk about the number of changes that teams will make for these ties, especially the Premier League sides, but Sheffield United have got players who need minutes to get back to full fitness, so they should put out a strong team here.

The Blades are bottom of the Premier League and have not won away all season, so any win on the road is an important one, and will help them gather a bit of momentum. They reached the semi-finals last season, so it would totally demoralise their fanbase if they went to Priestfield and lost there too.

Banners' prediction: 2-1

Click here for the full list of predictions

Image source, Getty Images

The draw for the FA Cup fourth round will take place on Monday, 8 January before the third-round tie between Wigan Athletic and Manchester United, which is being televised by ITV.

The 16 fourth-round games will be scheduled across the weekend of Saturday, 27 January.

We asked for your thoughts on Sheffield United's first signing of the January transfer window.

Here are some of your replies:

Jon: I would have been excited by this loan signing in summer but, given our pretty certain relegation and no option to buy, this seems a waste of money.

Ade: Brereton Diaz is a good signing. Hopefully there will be more because the centre-backs this season haven't been good enough at all, neither have the midfielders. Pretty much all of the summer transfers have disappointed and Souza, who is supposed to be the midfield enforcer, couldn't take dinner money from a schoolkid.

Blade forever: Brereton Diaz should have been one of the summer targets. It seems a bit too little, too late, but still he is an exciting addition.

Donny: A decent recruit. He proved himself in the Championship, so let's see how he gets on in the Premier League.

Image source, Getty Images

Ben Brereton Diaz has said he "can't wait to get started" at Bramall Lane after joining Sheffield United on loan from Spanish side Villarreal.

Brereton Diaz, who excelled at Championship level for Blackburn before moving to La Liga in the summer, said: "As soon as I knew there was interest, I spoke to a few people and we got it done quickly.

"I wasn't really playing out there and was told I could go out on loan, so it is great to be over in England now at such a great club - a club I know well through playing against.

"I spoke to Chris [Wilder] on the phone and he was telling me about what the team stands for; hard work, desire and things like that. That's something I enjoy, and it was something I wanted to be part of.

"Coming here is great for myself. Playing in the Premier League is something you dream of as a young boy so that's great for me and I just can't wait to get started."

Image source, Reuters

Sheffield United have made their first new signing of the January transfer window, adding striker Ben Brereton Diaz to their squad on loan from Spanish club Villarreal until the end of the season.

The Chile international, 24, moved to Spain at the start of the season when his contract with Championship club Blackburn Rovers expired, but he is yet to score in La Liga for Villarreal.

He netted 38 goals for Rovers in his final two seasons at Ewood Park before his departure.

Subject to international clearance, he may be available to face Gillingham in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.

What do you make of the signing, Blades fans? Can he be the catalyst to keep Wilder's side up? Let us know here

Image source, Reuters

Sheffield United striker Benie Traore has joined Nantes on a loan deal until the end of the season.

The deal also includes an option to buy for the French top-flight club.

The 21-year-old, who joined the Blades during the summer from Swedish side Hacken, has made nine appearances in all competitions this season.

His last appearance for United came against Liverpool in December.

Midfielder Harrison Neal has also departed Bramall Lane to join League One side Carlisle United on a permanent deal.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has been speaking to the media before their FA Cup third round tie at Gillingham on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Here are the main lines from his news conference:

• Wilder refused to comment on the reports that a deal for Villarreal striker Ben Brereton Diaz is close to being completed.

• But he added: "We are still working on some targets that will aid us in the second part of the season."

• Wilder confirmed it will not be "six, seven or eight players coming in" but two or three and those players must be good enough to go "straight into the team" to help make them better.

• On a search for a new goalkeeper: "I am assessing all the squad. It is you guys that come up with the names and positions. From when I have taken over, I have never once mentioned anything position specific or from a name point of view."

• Asked about players leaving the club, he added: "There is always something to play for as a player - some grab that opportunity and some do not. You have to make those decisions pretty quickly."

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live match commentary of Gillingham v Sheffield United at 15:00 on Saturday

• This is the first FA Cup meeting between Gillingham and Sheffield United, and their first encounter in any competition since a 2-2 draw in January 2017 in League One.

• Gillingham have lost nine of their past 11 FA Cup ties against Premier League opponents, with the exceptions being a 3-2 win over Charlton Athletic in 2003-04 and a 1-0 win against Cardiff City in 2018-19.

• The Blades have progressed from 18 of their past 19 FA Cup ties against sides from a lower division than them, with the exception being a 1-0 loss to non-league Barnet in 2018-19.

• Gillingham's Tom Nichols has been involved in eight goals in his past seven FA Cup appearances, scoring five and assisting three. He’s also either scored (two) or assisted (one) a goal in three of his four appearances against Premier League sides in the competition.

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live match commentary of Gillingham v Sheffield United at 15:00 GMT on Saturday

Sheffield United are close to signing Villarreal's 24-year-old Chile forward Ben Brereton Diaz on loan for the rest of the season. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Some 14 FA Cup ties will be available to either watch or listen to live on the BBC over third round weekend, which runs from 4 January to 8 January.

We'll bring you four televised matches across BBC One, BBC iPlayer and Red Button - with all also available to watch on the BBC Sport website and app.

And you'll also be able to listen to 12 commentaries on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.

Thursday, 4 January

• Crystal Palace v Everton (20:00) - 5 Live

Friday, 5 January

• Fulham v Rotherham United (19:30) - 5 Sports Extra

• Tottenham v Burnley (20:0) - 5 Live

Saturday, 6 January

• Millwall v Leicester City (12:30) - 5 Sports Extra

• Sunderland v Newcastle United (12:45) - 5 Live

• Gillingham v Sheffield United (15:00) - 5 Live

• Southampton v Walsall (15:00) - 5 Sports Extra

• Middlesbrough v Aston Villa (17:30) - 5 Live

• Chelsea v Preston (17:30) - 5 Sports Extra

Sunday, 7 January

• Peterborough v Leeds United (14:00) - 5 Live

• Luton Town v Bolton Wanderers (14:00) - 5 Sports Extra

Monday, 8 January

• Wigan v Manchester United (20:15) - 5 Live

All kick-off times listed are GMT

Ben Meakin, BladesPod, external

After a disappointing festive period where Sheffield United twice let leads slip in games that looked won, the FA Cup provides a welcome distraction from our rock-bottom placing in the Premier League table.

Last season was the point where I swore never to turn my nose up at a cup run again, as United successfully juggled a journey to an FA Cup semi-final with a powerful end to the season in the league that saw us comfortably clinch promotion.

That seemed to dispel any of the old adages about cup runs being a distraction from league form. And, of course, United have little league form of which to speak at this stage.

Opta’s model, external has the Blades as 98% likely for relegation following our latest Premier League defeat - so really, what’s to lose by having a go in the FA Cup?

That’s not to say that the strongest United side will automatically beat Gillingham in the third round - although a game against League Two's lowest scorers is about as kind a draw as possible at this stage.

I'll be really disappointed if we're not at least treating this game as the starting point for salvaging some pride out of 2023-24.

Sheffield United are pushing to sign Villareal and Chile striker Ben Brereton Diaz, 24, as well as Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, 37, from Anderlecht. (Mail, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

We asked for your thoughts on what business Sheffield United need to do during the January transfer window.

Here are some of your replies:

Mike: We must have a vision. Either focus on building for next season, signing a couple of young players and try to sort out our dreadful contract situation, or sign two or three players who will make a difference to this season in key positions such as goalkeeper and up front. Personally, I'd go for the first option, but I only want to have a clear strategy.

Stuart: A new keeper. Wes did really well last year and is a great shot stopper, but more and more mistakes are creeping in. We need more quality, we have so little of the ball, we need better players to hold onto the ball and create.

Matt: Strengthen our defensive midfield as our combo of Norwood and Souza is poor. We need to offload at least four players, we have four left wing-backs in the club, including a loan, getting rid of Larouci and Thomas is a must. A Premier League-quality keeper for the long term would go a long way too. Players back from injury and signing out-of-contract players would help so much.

Sheffield United want to sign a goalkeeper on loan in January, with Anderlecht's 37-year-old Denmark international Kasper Schmeichel a potential target. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column