Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for the later kickoff on this most special of days in the English football calendar. The FA Cup third round is well and truly underway, complete with shocks already, and Sheffield United will be looking to add to that list of cupsets as they face Manchester United at Old Trafford here. The hosts are, of course, the favourites, but this is a potential banana skin for Louis van Gaal. Let's start with a look at the two teams on show...

MAN UTD STARTING XI: De Gea; Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Borthwick-Jackson; Schweinsteiger, Fellaini, Herrera, Mata, Martial; Rooney

MAN UTD SUBS: Romero, McNair, Varela, Lingard, Pereira, Memphis, Keane

SHEFF UTD STARTING XI: Long; Brayford, Basham, Coutts, Sharp, Collins, Woolford, Sammon, McEveley, Edgar, Hammond

SHEFF UTD SUBS: Howard, Flynn, Baxter, Done, Campbell-Ryce, Reed, Adams

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, Louis van Gaal has named a strong starting XI for today's game, complete with the likes of De Gea, Schweinsteiger and Rooney in the starting XI. Indeed, he has made just three changes to the side that beat Swansea last time out, with Darmian, Borthwick-Jackson and Fellaini coming in for Young, Jones and Schneiderlin.

As for the visitors, Nigel Adkins has named an unchanged side despite being beaten at home by Peterborough at the weekend. That means that Sharp and Sammon continue to lead the line for the Blades, while there is no place for Done, who has to settle for a spot on the bench due to a recent hamstring injury.

You would have got fairly long odds just a few weeks ago on Louis van Gaal still being Manchester United manager in time for the third round of the FA Cup. The Dutchman appeared to be a dead man walking after his side were beaten by Stoke City on Boxing Day, but he remains in the dugout today following an improved performance in a goalless draw with Chelsea and an improved result in beaten Swansea City last time out, ending an eight-match winless streak in all competitions.

That has gone some way to lifting some of the gloom that had descended on the club, but Van Gaal will know that there is still some way to go. His side remain out of the Premier League's top four and nine points adrift of league leaders Arsenal. At home United have only lost one of their 16 matches in all competitions this season (excluding penalties), but they have also only won one of their last five and scored only three goals in that time - two of which came against Swansea last time out.

They have also only won one of their last four FA Cup games at Old Trafford, with that coming against Cambridge United last season. Their pedigree in this competition cannot be matched by many, however, with only Arsenal having won the trophy more times than United's 11. They have also only lost one of 36 meetings with lower-league opposition in the FA Cup, although that defeat did come at Old Trafford when bitter rivals Leeds ran out 1-0 winners in 2010.

Any away victory today would go down as an even bigger shock than that result, but there are plenty of hints that Sheffield United could come away with a famous win here. In addition to United's struggles this season, the Blades have made a name for themselves by claiming a number of big scalps in recent seasons. Since January 2014 they have knocked Aston Villa, Fulham, West Ham, Southampton and QPR out of cup competitions - all teams in higher divisions than them. Indeed, they have won five of their last six meetings with higher-ranked sides.

The Blades currently sit eighth in the League One table, four points adrift of the playoffs following their 3-2 defeat to Peterborough last time out. That loss halted a run of four consecutive victories for Nigel Adkins's side, during which they kept three clean sheets. That marked a big improvement in their defensive record as only one side in the top half of League One has conceded more than Sheffield United this season.

Sheffield United have already had to come through two rounds to reach this stage of the competition, beating Worcester City and Oldham on their way to the 'Theatre of Dreams'. That means that they have now lost just one of their last eight FA Cup games, keeping clean sheets in all of them. They have good history in this competition having lifted the trophy four times, but the most recent of those came way back in 1925. In the more recent history, they reached the semi-finals in 2013-14 only to be beaten by Hull - their only away defeat in the competition in their last eight. It is a different story in all competitions, however, as Sheffield United's 1-0 triumph over Scunthorpe in the most recent away game is their solitary one in 10.

PREDICTION! We're just a couple of minutes away from kickoff here at Old Trafford, which means that it is time for a prediction! United are, of course, the heavy favourites for this match, but Sheffield United have been able to raise their game for these sorts of matches in the past. Even so, it is hard to see them pulling off a major shock today, and I'm going for a 1-0 home victory.

These two sides last faced each other when both were in the Premier League in the 2006-07 season. Manchester United came out on top on that occasion, and the two goalscorers that day - Carrick and Rooney - remain with the club now, although only one is in the squad today.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! Manchester United get us underway at Old Trafford as they look to book their place in the fourth round. It is, incredibly, 12 years since United last won this trophy.

Low-key start to the game, at least on the pitch. The visiting Sheffield United fans are making their voices heard, and I suspect that will be the case throughout.

Blind is almost caught out here as Sharp buzzes in behind the Dutchman, but he wins the ball back and deals with it. Sheffield United are playing with a good tempo off the ball, pressing United when possible.

No chances to speak of so far, but the match is beginning to settle into a pattern that I suspect will run throughout the majority of the match. United are seeing plenty of the ball, but Sheffield United are so far frustrating them.

Another long period of United possession ends with Mata trying to swing a cross towards the far post, but it skids away from Martial racing in.

The visitors are being forced to defend deep here, but at the same time United are struggling to make any serious headway in the final third. It is all very congested there and, when United do venture into it, they have usually been forced to retreat shortly afterwards.

United win a corner and, predictably, aim for Fellaini. He sends his first header straight up into the air but them wins the second ball too, which the visitors are able to clear.

The hosts may need to be patient here, although the fans will want to see some more intent than has been on show so far. Sheffield United have everyone behind the ball, and it is down to the hosts to break through them.

Sheffield United are struggling to get any sort of possession at the moment. They are unable to string a number of passes together and are spending pretty much all of their time chasing the ball at the moment.

Brilliant from Sammon as he takes the ball down from a long kick forward from his keeper. He shows good technique to drill a powerful effort towards goal too, which De Gea tips over, but the referee had already blown for a handball.

Rooney looks to make something happen on his own by going for goal from range, but his effort flies a long, long way over the crossbar.

CHANCE! The first hint of a chance comes for United as Darmian threads a fine pass down the right channel for Rooney. The United skipper beats Long to the ball and takes it round the keeper, but he is forced too far out wide and his pass back inside is cleared away.

A rare foray into the United half from the visitors sees Coutts make space for a cross and put the ball into the box. It is too high for Sammon, but Darmian takes no risks at the back post and nods it behind for a corner.

Fellaini wins the header from the corner and United look to break quickly, but it all slows down too much as soon as they get into the final third. Groans come from the Old Trafford crowd as the promising breakaway comes to nothing.

We're 25 minutes in now, and there really hasn't been much to shout about so far. Long has had very little to do in the Sheffield United goal, and Nigel Adkins will be pretty pleased with how this match has gone so far.

Sheffield United are making it hard for the hosts by packing defenders behind the ball, but Louis van Gaal must have been expecting that. They haven't had an answer to it so far, and they aren't taking many risks to do so at the moment.

United have failed to score in the first half of their last nine games at home, and it doesn't look like that run is about to change today. Still no chances to speak of.

This is probably the exact test that Van Gaal didn't need right now. No chances in the opening half an hour against a League One side certainly doesn't reflect kindly on the team or his style, but patience will be key here.

Talk amongst yourselves until this game livens up a bit. It is just pass after pass from United until they get into the final third, when they lose it and Sheffield United clear it.

A sniff of a chance for United as Herrera slides a pass through towards Rooney, but Long is quickly off his line and bravely dives at the United skipper's feet to gather.

Again United almost break into the box as Blind this time hoists a ball over the top for Schweinsteiger, who has made a rare break forward beyond the attackers. The German should go for a header towards goal, but instead tries to take it down and is subsequently dispossessed.

There has been a grand total of one shot from both sides combined in the opening 38 minutes here, and that was Rooney's wayward effort from range. It hasn't been a thriller.

© Getty Images

The conditions are making this one all the more miserable to be honest. It is tipping it down in Manchester, as ever, although I suppose on the plus side both goalkeepers will be happy that they have had nothing to do in this weather.

Jose Mourinho's name is header being chanted inside Old Trafford, although that could well be the away fans making a bit of mischief. I doubt any of the home fans are still awake to do any chanting.

A chance for United to test the keeper as they win a free kick in a good shooting position, but Rooney sends it straight into the wall.

There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this first half. Three minutes?! I have no idea where they came from, but I'm not happy that Jonathan Moss is dragging this dreadful, dreadful first half out any longer.

Borthwick-Jackson looks to use those extra minutes to full effect, but his shot from range is a long way off target.

Brayford makes progress down the right flank at the other end of the field, but his drilled cross is plucked from the sky by De Gea.

SHOT! Probably the best moment of the half comes with the final action as a free kick is played low to Blind on the edge of the box, and he curls one a few yards over the top.

Still with me? Good. We're goalless at half time at Old Trafford - the 10th consecutive home match in which United have failed to score in the first half. Not only have they failed to score, they have failed to even look like scoring. It has been a contender for the worst 45 minutes of football I have seen for a long, long time.

The bad news is that there is still 45 minutes of this match left, but the good news is that it can't get any worse. Neither side have been able to create so much as a chance, with the best moment so far coming right on the stroke of half time when Blind sent an effort over from the edge of the box. Rooney has had one long-range effort that flew well off target, while Borthwick-Jackson also fired one a long way wide.

Rooney has had a couple of other sniffs of goal, beating the keeper to a Darmian pass into the box on one occasion, only to be forced out wide and unable to take advantage of an encouraging situation. Long has also been called upon to thwart Rooney at the striker's feet as well after Herrera's pass through. Moments later Blind sent on over the top for Schweinsteiger, but he could not take the ball down in the area.

At this stage I usually go through the highlights of the first half, but that really is the extent of it, so instead here is an action shot of Long diving at the feet of Rooney:

© AFP

In fairness to Sheffield United, they deserve credit for carrying out their game plan to perfection so far. They are happy to pack men behind the ball, which is making things very difficult for the hosts to do anything. United have had 70% of the possession, though, and with the onus on them to find a way through, the spotlight will very much be on the home side in the second half.

KICKOFF: Sheffield United get us back underway as they look to hold on to what would be a good result for them, and perhaps nick a winner on the break.

I am praying for an improvement in this second half here. United are in familiar territory here - there has been only one goal in the first half of their last 10 home games, and that went against them. That means that they have started the second half still locked at 0-0 in nine of their last 10 home outings.

It might be blind hope, but United do seem to have upped the tempo ever so slightly in the opening stages of this second half.

Schweinsteiger tries to lift one into the area, but he puts far too much on it and it is easy for the keeper to collect.

Sheffield United's defence comes under a bit of pressure, but the League One side have looked so comfortable throughout this game so far. They surely wouldn't have been expecting such a tame examination at Old Trafford.

Smalling strides out of defence to try to make something happen, but Mata carelessly gives the ball away and Sheffield United have a chance to break. Sharp is isolated and has to cut back, but Coutts takes it on to the byline before seeing his low cross blocked.

Perhaps the pivotal question today could be just how long Sheffield United can keep their discipline and work-rate up. They have been forced to chase the ball for long spells here and their legs will be getting heavy soon.

Van Gaal has seen enough here. He is preparing a double change in an attempt to breathe some sort of life into his side.

MAN UTD SUBS: Here are those changes as Herrera and Mata make way to be replaced by Jesse Lingard and Memphis Depay.

Still nothing to report in terms of chances. We're an hour in to a match at Old Trafford against League One opposition and United have not mustered so much as a chance. Simply not good enough.

SHEFFIELD UNITED SUB: The visitors make a change here as Ryan Flynn comes on to replace Sharp, who is certainly not happy about having to make way.

SHOT! By far the biggest cheer of the day arrives, ironically I must add, when Memphis chooses to go for goal from range. It is a good effort that flies a yard or so wide, but the reaction from the fans says all you need to know about this game so far. It has got to the point where they are happy just to see a shot off target.

SAVE! Stop it lads, you're spoiling us now! Another shot arrives in on goal, and finally it is one on target! It comes from the visitors as Basham carries it forward before drilling a low strike towards goal, but it is straight at De Gea.

SAVE! A little better from United as Darmian breaks into the area and just about manages to get a shot away, but it is straight at Long. A hot on target nonetheless for United - their first of the evening.

The introduction of Memphis has certainly made a difference here. He has been more positive than any other United player on the pitch, running directly at the defence and going for goal when the opportunity presents itself.

This may be a long final 15 minutes for Sheffield United, whose legs must be tiring now. They don't really deserve to lose this one though as they have comfortably dealt with everything United have thrown at them so far.

A rare shooting chance for United on the edge of the box as Fellaini squares it to Schweinsteiger, but he horribly slices his effort a long way off target. Poor.

Sheffield United string a few passes together, and they are immediately greeted with the 'Ole!' treatment from the away fans. The move soon breaks down, though.

MAN UTD SUB: The hosts make their final change of the match as Andreas Pereira replaces Fellaini.

SHEFF UTD SUB: Sheffield United also make a change, with Louis Reed coming on in place of McEveley.

The mood between the two sets of fans could not be much different right now. The visiting supporters are having the time of their lives, while the home fans are rightly frustrated.

There Is big concern for Schweinsteiger here as he goes down after clashing in a 50-50 on the edge of the box. He looks in some pain with his knee and the stretcher is on, so United could have to see out this match with 10 men.

Well the good news for United is that Schweinsteiger is back on his fit and limping off the field. He isn't moving freely, but he may just be able to continue after all.

Schweinsteiger is indeed back on, so it must have been only an impact injury. Meanwhile, United have a free kick in a good crossing position here...

CHANCE! Heroic defending from Brayford as he throws himself in the way of Martial's shot. The ball fell to the United youngster after a poor clearance from Edgar, but Martial's shot was blocked and Smalling failed to connect with the rebound.

That chance, 87 minutes in, is the first time that United have actually looked like scoring today. It has simply not been good enough from the hosts today.

SHOT! More ironic cheers greet another shot from Memphis as he cuts inside before firing a low effort a yard or so past the post.

SHEFFIELD UNITED SUB: The visitors make their final change of the match as Sammon is replaced by Matt Done.

We are now into the second of SIX added minutes at the end of this match. Somebody let this abomination end!

What a let-off this is for both Van Gaal and United. It is not the smartest challenge from Hammond as he goes to ground inside the area and catches Memphis, who has looked like the only man capable of causing problems for the hosts today. The referee correctly points to the spot, and Rooney buries it into the bottom corner. Heartbreaking for the visitors.

Heartbreaking stuff for Sheffield United as, after 93 minutes of hard work, they throw it all away in stoppage time. Wayne Rooney's 93rd-minute penalty sees Manchester United past the Blades, but it was far from a good performance from the home side today. The fans did not sound happy as United left the field, and they had every right to be disgruntled. That was not a good performance from the Red Devils.

That is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole on what was a disappointing day for both sides as Manchester United labour to an uninspiring victory over Sheffield United, who looked to have done enough to clinch a replay until the late winner. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!