Sheffield United 3-4 Mansfield Town Player Ratings: A Seven-Goal Thriller Sees Mansfield Town Edge Out Against a Shaky Sheffield United

A chaotic, breathless, and utterly brilliant cup tie we just witnessed at Bramall Lane, where Mansfield Town saw off Sheffield United in the third Round of the FA Cup. This encounter had everything in its store.

Sheffield United and Mansfield Town served up a seven-goal spectacle that will live long in the memory, with the visitors deservedly coming out on top. Mansfield Town have continued the classic giant-killing trend in this cup competition, as we have witnessed in the previous few days.

Mansfield Town were fearless from the first whistle, pressing high and playing with an intensity that clearly rattled their Premier League opposition. They went ahead twice through Louis Reed, once in the 13th minute and then at the 44th minute, who was simply magnificent.

Even after Gustavo Hamer's stunning equaliser in the 20th minute, the belief in the away side never wavered. They were clinical, ruthless, and exposed a shockingly fragile Sheffield United defence time and time again.

Lucas Akins and Rhys Oates scored within a difference of just seven minutes, giving the away side a giant lead. However, a goal from Patrick Bamford in the 61st minute and an own goal from Deji Oshilaja just four minutes later instilled hope in the Sheffield United team.

However, the late comeback was fueled more by desperation than design. The damage was already done. The FA Cup ended in a famous victory for Mansfield Town, and a deeply embarrassing day for the hosts, who have serious questions to answer about their defensive structure and overall application.

Here are the Sheffield United vs Mansfield Town Player Ratings.

Key Takeaways:

• Mansfield Town pulled off a dramatic upset, defeating Championship side Sheffield United 4–3 in a seven‑goal thriller at Bramall Lane — a classic FA Cup giant‑killing performance.
• Louis Reed starred for Mansfield, earning man of the match honours with two stunning goals and a dominant overall performance, showcasing composure and control against higher‑level opposition.
• Sheffield United’s defence was exposed, with key defenders and the goalkeeper struggling throughout as Mansfield’s intensity and clinical finishing repeatedly punished their lapses.

Sheffield United Player Ratings vs Mansfield Town

Take a look at our Sheffield United Player Ratings from the Sheffield United vs Mansfield Town Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Adam Davies - 4.0: A really tough afternoon for the keeper. He conceded four goals and never looked comfortable or commanding. While he made a couple of saves, he was slow to react for some of the goals and his presence didn't inspire any confidence in the backline. Just a day to forget entirely.

Defenders

Ki-Jana Hoever - 4.5: We noticed he struggled badly against the pace and directness of Mansfield's attackers. He was caught out of position multiple times and offered very little going forward before being substituted. A performance that summed up his team's defensive frailties.

Ben Mee - 5.0: The experienced head in the defence, but he couldn't organize the chaos around him. He was part of a unit that was pulled apart with ease. From our perspective, he looked a yard off the pace and struggled to contain the opposition's fluid attacks.

Mark McGuinness - 6.5: A strange performance. He was a huge threat from set-pieces, winning a remarkable 12 aerial duels and grabbing an assist. However, he was also part of a defence that shipped four goals. His attacking contributions bump up his rating, but defensively, it was not good enough.

Harrison Burrows - 5.5: He tried to get involved in the attack, but his end product wasn't quite there. He put in a shift, but like his fellow defenders, he was part of a backline that was completely overwhelmed by Mansfield's energy and clinical finishing. He was exposed on several occasions.

Midfielders

Oliver Arblaster - 6.0: The captain saw plenty of the ball, completing 115 passes. He kept possession ticking over nicely but failed to truly influence the game in the key areas. In a match that needed control, his neat passing wasn't enough to stem the tide against his side.

Gustavo Hamer - 8.0: The best player in a red and white shirt by a country mile. He scored a sensational long-range goal and was a constant source of creativity, creating five chances for his teammates. He looked a cut above everyone else and can hold his head high despite the result.

Djibril Soumaré - 5.5: He grabbed an assist for Hamer's goal but it was a frantic performance overall. He picked up a silly yellow card and was often bypassed in the midfield battle. He was eventually substituted after failing to get a grip on the game.

Tahith Chong - 5.0: A really disappointing and ineffective display. He was dispossessed five times and struggled to make any positive impact on the match. What stood out to us was his inability to get into the game before being rightly taken off.

Forwards

Danny Ings - 4.5: Almost completely anonymous. He barely had a sniff of goal and was caught offside when a half-chance did appear. His lack of involvement was concerning, and it was no surprise when he was substituted early in the second half.

Tyrese Campbell - 5.0: He worked hard but to very little effect. Had one shot on target but was otherwise isolated and couldn't get into dangerous positions. A frustrating afternoon for the forward who never looked like a threat.

Substitutes

Substitutes - 6.5: Patrick Bamford (not in player list) made an immediate impact, scoring a goal that sparked a brief hope of a comeback. The other substitutes, Femi Seriki, Andre Brooks, and Tom Davies, were brought on to chase the game but couldn't alter the final, disappointing outcome.

Manager

C. Wilder - 4.0: His team looked tactically naive and defensively unprepared for Mansfield's intensity. The decision to play such a high line against pacy forwards backfired spectacularly. The late flurry was more about individual effort than any coherent plan. A poor day at the office.

Mansfield Town Player Ratings vs Sheffield United

Take a look at our Mansfield Town Player Ratings from the Sheffield United vs Mansfield Town Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Liam Roberts - 6.0: Conceded three goals but couldn't do much about the first two. He made a couple of key saves to keep his team's lead intact. His distribution was a bit erratic, but he did his job when it mattered most. A solid, if not spectacular, performance.

Defenders

B. Cargill - 7.0: A proper defender's performance. He put his body on the line with crucial tackles and clearances. While part of a defence that conceded three, he was aggressive and committed throughout, playing a big role in a famous victory.

Ryan Sweeney - 6.5: The captain led by example with a battling display. He was caught out a couple of times but generally held his own against Premier League opposition. He organized his backline well under pressure, especially in the frantic final minutes.

A. Oshilaja - 7.5: A rock at the back. He made an incredible eight clearances and threw himself in front of everything, blocking two shots. His defensive resolve was immense, and he was a key reason Mansfield were able to withstand the late pressure from the hosts.

Midfielders

Lucas Akins - 7.5: Scored what looked to be the killer third goal with a composed finish on the counter-attack. His work rate was phenomenal, tracking back and supporting the attack. A tireless and effective performance that was crucial to his team's success.

L. Reed - 9.0: An absolutely stunning, Man of the Match performance. He scored two unbelievable goals from outside the box, each a candidate for goal of the round. Beyond the goals, he was composed, tackled hard, and dictated play. A truly special display.

F. Blake-Tracy - 7.0: Provided a great assist for the fourth goal and was a willing runner down the wing all game. He was a real outlet for his team, though he had some difficult moments defensively. His attacking contribution was vital.

Jamie Carson McDonnell - 7.0: The unsung hero in midfield. He was relentless in the tackle, winning seven duels and breaking up play constantly. His energy and determination in the middle of the park were infectious and set the tone for his team's aggressive approach.

Forwards

W. Evans - 8.0: A massive handful for the Sheffield United defence. He created three chances and his physicality caused endless problems. His tireless pressing from the front was exceptional, winning the ball back and putting the opposition under immediate pressure.

R. Oates - 9.0: Sensational. He shared the Man of the Match honours with L. Reed in our eyes. His pace was electric, and he terrorized the home defence, scoring one and assisting another. He was simply unplayable at times and deserved his goal. A brilliant, game-winning performance.

Nathan Moriah-Welsh - 5.0: A difficult game for the attacker. He worked hard but his performance will be remembered for the unfortunate own goal that gave Sheffield United a lifeline. It was a cruel moment in an otherwise industrious display.

Substitutes

Substitutes - 6.5: The substitutes were brought on to see the game out and did their jobs effectively. They added fresh legs and helped manage the final frantic stages, ensuring their team held on for a memorable and historic victory away from home.

Manager

N. Clough - 9.0: He got his tactics absolutely spot on. He identified Sheffield United's defensive weakness and exploited it perfectly with pace and directness. His team was brave, organized, and clinical. A tactical masterclass that secured a famous FA Cup upset.

Man of the Match

Louis Reed has been adjudged as Sportsdunia's man of the match.

Worst Performer

The worst performer in the Sheffield United vs Mansfield Town game was Adam Davies of Mansfield Town.