Blades news: Tuesday's Sheffield United headlines

Sheffield United manager Nigel Adkins insists goalkeeper George Long has all the necessary attributes to reach the top of the game. The 22-year-old, a product of United’s Steelphalt Academy, kept his third successive clean sheet in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Scunthorpe and has only been beaten once - by Conor Hourihane’s stunning strike at Barnsley - in over six hours of football. READ MORE

In-form Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp is relishing a real Christmas cracker at Wigan Athletic on Boxing Day. The Blades striker netted his second goal in as many games on Saturday as United defeated Scunthorpe - Sharp’s former employers - for the first time ever at Glanford Park. MORE HERE

Anyone feel an FA Cup ‘shock’ coming on? Ailing giant, no confidence, no win in what might be nine games by then - manager under intense pressure plays League One side with a brilliant cup record, a recent revival in fortunes and a lot to play for. READ MARTIN SMITH'S COLUMN

WATCH: 25 years ago today, Sheffield United gain their first win of the season against Nottingham Forest, which sparks an unlikely fight for top flight survival. MORE HERE

VIDEO: Watch Ryan Flynn score two crackers for Sheffield United under 21s WATCH HERE

In case you missed it...

Are YOU in our Blades gallery from the trip to Scunthorpe?

Sheffield United players had a ball in a new messy playroom at a Bluebell Wood children’s hospice. READ MORE HERE