Juan Mata will race onto Chris Smalling's long pass... no he won't, the greasy surface skips the ball through.

Sheffield United look well set as play builds again, a good shape with two banks of four facing their hosts - "come and beat us" it screams.

Can Matteo Darmian find any joy down the right flank? He's held off by Jay McEveley and goalkeeper George Long has the ball in his hands.

Alan Green
BBC Radio 5 live at Old Trafford

Image source, Getty Images

"This Sheffield United team are huge, especially Conor Sammon - he looks like a monster."

Image source, Reuters

Press Association's Paul Hirst is one of those battling the elements at Old Trafford.

Image source, .

Sheffield United are going to have to live off scraps it seems. Very little in terms of scary moments for them so far though. 

They are isolating Wayne Rooney admirably - just eight touches for him - though they'll want Bastian Schweinsteiger and Ander Herrera to see less ball. The pair have more touches than anyone else. Herrara with 35 touches, his fellow midfielder with 33.

Sheffield United corner comes in fizzed to the near post... Marouane Fellaini gets up and scrapes his head on the moon to clear. Some leap, good defensive header.

Chris Waddle
BBC Radio 5 live at Old Trafford

"It was a lovely weight of pass from Matteo Darmian behind the left back.

"Wayne Rooney does everything right going round the keeper but he can't find the ball to Juan Mata and it's good defending by Sheff Utd to recover."

Lovely vision from Matteo Darmian at right-back, hes picked out Wayne Rooney who ROUNDS THE KEEPER. Forced wide, can Rooney find a man in the box... no. Some good rush-defending by the League One side. They lived dangerously there.

Image source, Reuters

Conor Sammon briefly prompts a collective intake of breath at Old Trafford as his volley needs a tip over. There was a handball in the build-up though. At the other end, Wayne Rooney has a lash and the ball settles high into the crowd behind the goal.

Chris Waddle
BBC Radio 5 live at Old Trafford

"It's up to Man Utd to break down this team, they've got to stretch them.

"Anthony Martial has gone down the middle now and I think that's the best place for him tonight with his pace.

"But Sheff Utd are doing a great job defensively, they're organised and well-drilled."

Whack. A beast of a tackle on the edge of the box from David Edgar. He shouts at the man on the floor to get up. That was a traditional FA Cup tackle, all that was missing is a muddy pitch.

Image source, Getty Images

Some 105 passes by Manchester United so far, just 37 for the visitors. Bastian Schweinsteiger has seen more ball than anyone else but there's nothing penetrating coming just yet. Can Anthony Martial swivel on the edge of the box? No, forced backwards and a throw is all the home side can earn.

Alan Green
BBC Radio 5 live at Old Trafford

Image source, Rex Features

"It's just two years since a League One side reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup and that was Sheffield United.

"That was a great run. This is a big club, they're the big timers in League One."

Chris Waddle: "They're definitely the scalp everyone wants in that league."

Plenty of possession and more importantly territory for Manchester United but nothing too threatening arriving. Marouane Fellaini threatens to leap into orbit at the back post as a corner comes in but his header loops into the goalmouth and gets hacked away.

Manchester United are stroking the ball about nicely but not breaking through the closed ranks of the Blades yet. Juan Mata tries to bend a ball over the line of defenders but Anthony Martial can't get on the end of it.

Chris Waddle
BBC Radio 5 live at Old Trafford

Image source, Reuters

"Sheffield United have started with a terrific tempo and they're really working hard - let's see if they can keep it up. 

"But Man United aren't trying to get in behind, Wayne Rooney is looking for the ball in to feet and if you want any joy against this Sheffield United team you've got to stretch them."

Sheffield United are looking to get in behind the hosts' full-backs and it takes some good defensive play from Daley Blind and Bastian Schweinsteiger to defuse a threatening situation down their left. A lively start.

Chris Waddle
BBC Radio 5 live at Old Trafford

"Sheffield United have got the likes of Matt Done, Jose Baxter and Che Adams who are all good, tricky players.

"But the real worry for the Blades is that they've got no pace in defence to cope if United play a quick game." 

Those travelling hoards from Sheffield are noisy. It's actually a surprise that the Blades are in white shirts with red shorts as opposed to Manchester United in red shirts and white shorts. All a bit confusing.